Can QA Engineers Use the DAFT Visa? Yes — Here's How
Yes, quality assurance engineers can use DAFT. The Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) lets US citizens start a business in the Netherlands, and QA engineering is a strong fit. You can provide testing, automation, and quality consulting for software companies worldwide.
QA engineers work well under DAFT because the work is fully remote-capable. Whether you're doing manual testing, building automation frameworks, or managing QA processes, you can do it from anywhere with good internet.
DAFT Eligibility for QA Engineers
Status: DAFT Eligible
QA engineering is a tech service with strong demand. The Netherlands has a thriving tech sector, and freelance QA work is common in both the Dutch and international markets.
Key points:
- Fully remote — testing and automation work is done digitally
- No special licensing required in the Netherlands
- Dutch market demand: High (strong tech sector)
- Typical income range: €55,000–€100,000/year
Business Structure Options
Recommended: Eenmanszaak (Sole Proprietorship)
Simplest structure. You are personally liable. Most DAFT applicants start here because it's fast and affordable.
QA engineers have low overhead — your main costs are software tools and test infrastructure. An eenmanszaak keeps things straightforward.
Other Options
BV (Private Limited Company) Limited liability but requires €0.01 capital and a notary. Consider this once revenue exceeds €100,000/year or if you want to bring on subcontractors.
Registration process:
- Apply for DAFT residence permit
- Register with KVK (Chamber of Commerce)
- Receive your KVK number and start operating
Setting Up Your QA Engineering Business
Step 1: Define Your Services Be specific about your offerings. For QA engineers, this typically includes:
- Test automation development and framework setup
- Manual and exploratory testing
- QA process consulting and test strategy
Step 2: KVK Registration Register your business with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce. You'll need:
- Valid residence permit (or proof of DAFT application)
- Proof of address in the Netherlands
- Description of your business activities
- €75 registration fee
Step 3: Tax Registration After KVK registration, you'll automatically be registered with the Belastingdienst (Dutch tax authority) for:
- Income tax
- VAT (BTW) — you may be exempt if under €20,000/year
Common Challenges & Solutions
Challenge: Clients wanting you in the same time zone Solution: The 6–9 hour difference with the US can actually help. You can run overnight test suites and have results ready before your US team starts their day. For real-time collaboration, afternoon hours in the Netherlands overlap with US mornings.
Challenge: Access to test environments and infrastructure Solution: Cloud-based testing tools (BrowserStack, Sauce Labs, AWS Device Farm) work from anywhere. Most modern test infrastructure is cloud-based by default.
Challenge: Competing with lower-cost QA providers Solution: Focus on high-value work: test automation architecture, QA strategy, and performance testing. These command higher rates than manual testing and are harder to outsource to low-cost regions.
Income & Tax Considerations
Expected income: €55,000–€100,000/year
Tax obligations:
- Dutch income tax (progressive rates, 36–49%)
- US tax filing required (as a US citizen)
- Foreign Earned Income Exclusion may apply
- Tax treaty between US and Netherlands prevents double taxation
VAT (BTW):
- Services to US/non-EU clients: 0% (reverse charge)
- Services to Dutch clients: 21% VAT
- Small business exemption if under €20,000/year
See our US Taxes While Living in Netherlands guide.
Finding Clients as a QA Engineer
International clients:
- Keep existing US client relationships — this is the easiest path
- Use platforms like Toptal, Upwork, and freelance developer networks
- Target SaaS companies and startups that need flexible QA resources
Dutch and European clients:
- The Netherlands has a strong tech scene, especially in Amsterdam, Eindhoven, and Rotterdam
- Dutch companies often hire freelance QA engineers for project-based work
- Network at tech meetups and connect with local communities
Best practice: Start DAFT with existing clients or committed projects. QA contracts tend to be multi-month, which provides good income stability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I work for US tech companies as a QA engineer on DAFT? A: Yes. You invoice US companies as a Dutch freelancer. This is one of the most common setups for tech professionals on DAFT. Your clients hire you as a contractor, not an employee.
Q: Do I need to specialize in automation to make good money? A: Automation skills (Selenium, Cypress, Playwright) definitely command higher rates. But there's also strong demand for performance testing, security testing, and QA management consulting. Specialization of any kind helps you charge premium rates.
Q: Is the Dutch tech market large enough for QA freelancers? A: Yes. The Netherlands is home to Booking.com, Adyen, TomTom, and many other tech companies. Amsterdam alone has hundreds of tech companies that regularly hire freelance QA engineers.
Related Professions
If QA engineer isn't quite right for your situation, consider these related professions that also work with DAFT:
Next Steps
- Evaluate your situation — Do you have clients? Income? A viable business plan?
- Read the complete DAFT guide — Understand all requirements
- Prepare your documents — Start the apostille process early
- Plan your timeline — Most people need 3–6 months to prepare
Digital Guide — $99
We're not immigration lawyers—just Americans who did this. Requirements change, so verify with official sources.