Build your European practice inside the Netherlands.
The Dutch Self-Employed Entrepreneur Visa grants third-country nationals a structured, merit-based pathway to establish an independent corporate presence in one of Europe's most stable economic nodes — evaluated on innovation, viability, and added value.
Build your European practice inside the Netherlands.
The Dutch Self-Employed Entrepreneur Visa grants third-country nationals a structured, merit-based pathway to establish an independent corporate presence in one of Europe's most stable economic nodes — evaluated on innovation, viability, and added value.
The RVO Points-Based Assessment
A 300-point scoring matrix administered by the RVO — three legs, each worth 100 points. You need at least 90 points total, with a hard minimum of 30 points in every single leg.
Personal Background & Entrepreneurial Readiness
- Formal EducationMaster's or Doctorate aligned to your sector.
- Entrepreneurial HistoryExperience launching or managing corporate structures.
- Market FamiliarityPre-existing business links with European networks.
Structural Integrity of the Business Plan
- Market AnalysisData proving verifiable demand in the Dutch market.
- Financial Projections1-to-3-year forecasting with revenue, budgets, and tax.
- Unique Value PropositionClear differentiation — not overcrowding local sectors.
Verifiable Added Value to the Netherlands
- InnovationPioneering tech, clean-energy, or deep-tech applications.
- Job CreationStructured plan to employ Dutch or EU citizens.
- Supply ChainTrade vectors or partnerships with Dutch vendors.
Document Requirements
- Valid International PassportMinimum 6 months remaining validity at time of submission.
- Antecedents CertificateSigned declaration confirming a clean global criminal record; no threat to Dutch public order.
- TB Medical ScreeningMandatory chest X-ray at a public health service (GGD) within 3 months of arrival, unless nationality is exempt.
- Dutch Health InsuranceImmediate enrollment in a compliant policy is required upon establishing residency.
- KvK RegistrationImmediate registration with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (Kamer van Koophandel) to secure your corporate identifier.
- Belastingdienst AlignmentRegistration with the Dutch Tax Authority for corporate income tax and VAT (BTW) obligations.
- Professional LicensingSector-specific operational licenses, certifications, or regulatory clearances required to trade legally in the Netherlands.
- RVO Business PlanA localized, data-backed operational blueprint with signed LOIs, MOUs, or client contracts — no generic templates.
Financial Self-Sufficiency Requirements
Minimum gross monthly personal income required — equal to the Dutch single-person levensonderhoud standard for 2026, inclusive of the 8% mandatory holiday allowance.
Minimum Capital Investment
A minimum of €4,500 in unencumbered personal equity must be injected directly into your Dutch business entity. Cannot be sourced from unapproved loans or credit lines.
Bank Statement Runway
A 3 to 6-month bank statement proving continuous personal income at or above the Dutch minimum wage threshold, with clean capital origin pathways.
No Single-Client Operations
Relying on a single primary client mirrors employment and triggers RVO rejection. Your pipeline must prove multiple B2B relationships, independent risk, and separate marketing infrastructure.
Step-by-Step Application Timeline
“Nexa maps the immigration pipeline as a synchronous critical path — each phase must be sequenced precisely.”
From document synthesis to physical residence card activation, the full process spans approximately 14 to 16 weeks. The RVO evaluation alone can take up to 90 days.
Document Synthesis & KvK Setup
Nexa audits your educational transcripts, attests corporate filings, and drafts the RVO-compliant business plan backed by signed client LOIs. KvK registration is prepared.
TEV Application & Fee Execution
Full document architecture submitted to the IND. The mandatory government processing fee of €423 is executed via bank transfer or online payment portal.
RVO Advisory & Points Evaluation
IND routes the file to the RVO for the 300-point scoring assessment. The RVO analyzes the business model, economic utility, and founder profile against all three legs.
MVV Issuance & Dutch Entry
Upon positive adjudication, the Provisional Residence Permit (MVV) sticker is collected from your local Dutch Embassy, enabling legal entry into the Schengen Zone.
Biometrics, BSN & Residence Card
IND biometric appointment, municipality (Gemeente) address registration for your BSN (Citizen Service Number), and physical 2-year renewable residence card collection.
Long-Term Horizon
2-Year Initial Card
Operate your Dutch entity with full work authorization. Sponsor spouse and minor children under family reunification channels.
Indefinite Renewals
Renewable for subsequent 2-to-5-year blocks as long as the business remains financially viable and yields income at Dutch minimum wage standards.
Dutch Permanent Residency
After 5 consecutive years of continuous, legal residency, your right to live and work in the Netherlands permanently uncouples from the business.
Dutch Citizenship
Requires passing civic integration exams (Inburgering) at A2 Dutch level. Note: the Netherlands enforces a strict renunciation policy — exceptions apply only in specific circumstances.
Your score determines
your eligibility.
The RVO doesn't grade on a curve. Three legs, three minimums — all must be cleared. Nexa engineers your application package to maximize points across every assessment dimension.
- RVO-compliant business plan with localized market data
- Signed LOIs and B2B contracts for financial proof
- Innovation and added-value documentation for Leg 3
- Full TEV pipeline management to the IND
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum monthly income required?
How much capital must I inject into my Dutch business?
How does the 300-point RVO scoring system work?
Can I do paid freelance work while my visa is being processed?
What evidence proves my financial projections to the RVO?
Can I use this visa if I work for just one client?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum monthly income required?
How much capital must I inject into my Dutch business?
How does the 300-point RVO scoring system work?
Can I do paid freelance work while my visa is being processed?
What evidence proves my financial projections to the RVO?
Can I use this visa if I work for just one client?
What is the TB test requirement upon arrival?
Can I sponsor my family under this visa?
Can I keep my original passport when naturalizing?