Bringing Your Partner on a DAFT Visa to the Netherlands

One of the first questions people ask when they learn about the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) is: can I bring my partner?

The short answer is yes. We applied together and both got our permits. But the process for your partner is a bit different from your own application. Here's how it works.

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How Partner Applications Work

Your partner doesn't apply for DAFT directly. Instead, they apply for a dependent residence permit based on your DAFT permit. You're the "main applicant" and they're the "dependent."

This means your application needs to be approved first (or submitted simultaneously). Your partner's permit is tied to yours, which has some implications we'll cover below.

Pro Tip: You and your partner can submit applications at the same time. You don't have to wait for your DAFT approval before starting their paperwork. We submitted ours together and it saved weeks.

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Who Qualifies as a Partner

The Netherlands recognizes several types of partnerships for immigration purposes:

Married Spouses

If you're legally married, your spouse can apply as a dependent. This is the most straightforward path. You'll need your marriage certificate, apostilled.

Registered Partners

If you have a registered partnership (either from the US or another country), this is treated similarly to marriage in the Netherlands.

Unmarried Partners

This is where it gets more nuanced. The IND recognizes unmarried partners, but you'll need to prove your relationship is genuine and long-term. Evidence includes:

• Proof of cohabitation (shared lease, utility bills in both names)
• Shared financial accounts or commitments
• Communication history
• Photos together over time
• Statements from family or friends

What We Wish We Knew: If you're not married, gather as much proof of your relationship as possible. The IND takes this seriously. A few photos and a shared Netflix account won't cut it. Think bank statements, lease agreements, and insurance policies with both names.

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Documents Your Partner Needs

In addition to the standard documents you'll find in the DAFT documents checklist, your partner will need:

• Valid passport (same validity requirements as yours)
• Birth certificate (apostilled)
• Marriage certificate or proof of relationship (apostilled if applicable)
• FBI background check (apostilled, if they're a US citizen)
• Passport photos (biometric specifications)
• Health insurance proof
• Completed dependent application forms

If your partner isn't a US citizen, additional documents may be required depending on their nationality. Check with the IND or a Dutch embassy for specifics.

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Timeline for Partner Applications

The partner application typically processes alongside or shortly after the main DAFT application. Here's a rough timeline:

Step	Timeline
Gather partner documents	8-16 weeks (parallel with yours)
Submit applications	Same day (recommended)
IND processing	2-8 weeks
Decision	Usually comes with or shortly after main decision
Permit pickup	Same visit or within days

The key insight: start your partner's document gathering at the exact same time as your own. Don't wait. The FBI background check alone takes 8-12 weeks, and your partner needs one too.

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Can Your Partner Work?

Yes. Once your partner has their dependent residence permit, they have an open work permit. This means they can:

• Work for any Dutch employer (no sponsorship needed)
• Start their own business
• Freelance
• Study

This is actually one of the best perks of DAFT for couples. While you need to run a business, your partner can take a regular job, giving your household more financial stability while you build your business.

Reality Check: Your partner's work permit is tied to your DAFT permit. If your DAFT permit expires or is revoked, their work authorization also ends. Keep this in mind as you plan your finances.

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What About Unmarried Partners Who Aren't US Citizens

If your partner isn't a US citizen, they can still apply as a dependent on your DAFT permit. The process is similar, but the document requirements may differ based on their nationality.

Key differences:

• They may need an MVV (entry visa) from a Dutch embassy in their home country
• Documents from their home country will need to be apostilled or legalized
• Additional identity verification may be required
• Translation of non-English documents into Dutch or English

This adds complexity and time. Start researching early and consider consulting with an immigration lawyer if your situation involves multiple nationalities.

For families with children, the process has additional steps. See our guide on DAFT with kids for the full breakdown.

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Costs for a Partner Application

Budget for these additional costs:

• Application fee: Around 200-350 euros for the dependent permit
• FBI background check + apostille: $88-138 (if US citizen)
• Birth certificate apostille: $35-75
• Marriage certificate apostille: $35-75
• Health insurance: Same as yours (travel insurance for application, Dutch insurance after)
• Passport photos: $15-30

Total additional cost for a partner: roughly $500-900 on top of the main application costs.

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Tips From Our Experience

Apply together. Submitting simultaneously is simpler and faster than sequential applications. The IND can process them together.

Double the documents, double the lead time. Two people means two FBI checks, two sets of apostilles, two of everything. Start early.

Keep originals organized separately. We used separate folders labeled with our names. When the IND asks for documents, you need to find things quickly.

Book IND appointments together. Request back-to-back or joint appointments. Some offices accommodate couples.

Discuss work plans. Having your partner's income plan figured out helps with financial projections in your business plan and gives you both confidence about the move.

For more on processing times, see how long DAFT processing actually takes.

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We're not immigration lawyers---just Americans who did this. Requirements change, so verify with official sources.