How to Write a DAFT Business Plan That Gets Approved

When we sat down to write our business plan for the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) application, we overthought it completely. We spent weeks trying to write something that looked like it belonged in a Harvard Business School case study.

That was a waste of time.

The IND doesn't want a 50-page MBA thesis. They want to see that your business is real, that you have a plan to earn money, and that you've thought through the basics. Our approved plan was five pages long.

Here's exactly how to write one that works.

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What the IND Actually Wants to See

Before we get into the format, let's talk about what the IND reviewer is looking for when they read your plan. They're checking three things:

1. Is this a real business? Not a placeholder or a scheme to get a visa with no intention of working.
2. Can this person actually do this work? Does your background support the business you're proposing?
3. Is there a reasonable path to revenue? You don't need to be profitable yet, but you should be able to explain how money will flow.

That's it. They're not evaluating whether your business will become a Fortune 500 company. They want to see that you're serious and that your plan makes sense.

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The Structure That Works

Here's the section-by-section breakdown we used, along with what to write in each one.

Section 1: Executive Summary (Half a Page)

Start with a brief overview of your business. Write this last, even though it goes first. Include:

• Your business name (or planned name)
• What you do in one sentence
• Who your customers are
• Where you'll be based in the Netherlands
• Your business structure (most DAFT applicants register an eenmanszaak, or sole proprietorship)

Example: "Smith Digital Consulting is a web development consultancy based in Rotterdam, serving small and medium businesses in the Netherlands and the US. The business will operate as an eenmanszaak registered with the KVK."

Keep it simple. You're setting the stage, not making a pitch.

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Section 2: About You (One Page)

This is where you connect your background to your business. The IND wants to see that you're qualified to do the work you're proposing.

Include:

• Your relevant work experience
• Education or training that supports your business
• Any existing clients or portfolio work
• Why you're choosing to base this business in the Netherlands

You don't need decades of experience. Even a few years of relevant work or a portfolio of projects is enough to show you're not making this up.

Pro Tip: If you're changing fields, explain the connection. "I worked in marketing for five years and am launching a marketing consultancy" is strong. "I worked in accounting and am launching a surfboard company" needs more explanation.

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Section 3: Services or Products (One Page)

Describe what you sell or what services you provide. Be specific.

Weak: "I offer consulting services." Strong: "I offer website design and development services, including custom WordPress sites, e-commerce setups using Shopify, and ongoing site maintenance packages. My standard project ranges from 2,000 to 8,000 euros."

Include:

• Your core offerings (3-5 services or product lines)
• Price ranges or pricing structure
• How you deliver your work (in-person, remote, hybrid)
• What makes your offering distinct

If you're a freelancer, this section might describe the types of projects you take on. If you sell products, describe your product line and how you source or create them.

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Section 4: Target Market (One Page)

Who buys from you? This doesn't need fancy market research. Just describe your ideal customer clearly.

Include:

• Geographic focus (Netherlands, EU, US, global)
• Type of customer (businesses, consumers, specific industries)
• How you'll find customers (networking, online marketing, referrals, platforms)
• Any existing clients or leads

Example: "My primary market is small businesses in the Netherlands and the US that need professional web presence but lack in-house development resources. I find clients through LinkedIn outreach, referrals from existing contacts, and Dutch business networking events in Utrecht and Amsterdam."

What We Wish We Knew: The IND likes to see that at least some of your business activity connects to the Netherlands. You don't have to serve only Dutch clients, but showing that being based in the Netherlands makes sense for your business strengthens your application.

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Section 5: Financial Projections (One Page)

This is the section that scares people the most. It shouldn't.

You need basic financial projections for the first two years. Keep them realistic. The IND isn't expecting huge numbers. They're checking that your math makes sense and that you've thought about actual costs.

Include:

• Revenue projections: How many clients/projects/sales per month, at what price
• Expenses: Rent (if applicable), insurance, software, accounting fees, KVK fees, travel
• Net income: Revenue minus expenses
• The 4,500 euro investment: How you'll deploy it in your business

A simple format works:

	Year 1	Year 2
Revenue	24,000 euros	36,000 euros
Expenses	8,000 euros	10,000 euros
Net Income	16,000 euros	26,000 euros

Be conservative. It's better to project modest income you can explain than impressive numbers you can't defend.

Reality Check: Your projections don't need to be perfect. The IND knows you're starting a new business in a new country. They want to see that you've done the math, not that you're promising specific results.

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Common Mistakes That Get Plans Rejected

Being Too Vague

"I'll do freelance work" tells the IND nothing. Specify what kind of freelance work, for whom, and at what rates. The more concrete your plan, the more confident the reviewer will be.

Copying a Template Word-for-Word

Templates are useful for structure (we have a DAFT business plan template you can reference), but your plan needs to reflect your actual business. The IND can tell when someone fills in blanks without thinking about whether the content applies to them.

Proposing a Business You Can't Actually Do

If your background is in accounting but your plan describes a photography studio, the IND will wonder why. Make sure your business connects to your skills and experience, or explain the transition clearly.

Ignoring the Dutch Market

You don't have to serve only Dutch customers. But showing zero connection to the Netherlands raises questions about why you need to be here. Even something like "I will attend Dutch industry events and build a local client base alongside my international work" helps.

Making Revenue Projections That Don't Add Up

If you say you'll earn 100,000 euros in year one as a solo freelancer charging 50 euros per hour, that requires 2,000 billable hours---which is nearly impossible for someone just getting started. The IND notices when the math doesn't work.

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What We Included in Our Plan

Here's what our actual approved plan covered, without getting into our specific business details:

• A clear description of our services (three core offerings)
• Our relevant experience (work history and portfolio)
• Target market (US and Dutch small businesses)
• How we'd find clients (specific platforms and networking strategies)
• First-year financial projections (conservative, based on part-time billing while getting settled)
• How the 4,500 euros would be used (equipment, software licenses, initial marketing)
• Why the Netherlands made sense for our business (EU market access, English-speaking business environment, quality of life)

The whole thing was five pages, single-spaced, with a simple header and no fancy graphics. It took us about a week to write once we stopped trying to make it perfect.

For ideas on what type of business to start, check out what businesses you can start with DAFT.

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Tips for a Stronger Plan

Write in plain English. The IND reviewer may not be a native English speaker. Avoid jargon and buzzwords. Clear, simple language always wins.

Include your LinkedIn or portfolio link. This gives the reviewer an easy way to verify your background and see your work.

Show that you've researched the Netherlands. Mention the KVK registration process, Dutch tax obligations, or local business resources. This signals that you're serious about operating here.

Keep formatting clean. Use headings, short paragraphs, and bullet points. Make it easy to scan. A clean plan signals a organized mind.

Have someone else read it. Fresh eyes catch gaps in logic, unclear explanations, and typos. We had a friend review ours and she found three things we'd missed.

And if you're worried about common application mistakes, a solid business plan is one of the best ways to avoid delays.

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