DAFT as a Couple: Should Both Partners Apply for It?
When couples consider the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT), one of the first questions is: should we both apply, or should one person apply and bring the other as a dependent?
We applied together as a couple in 2024. Here is what we learned about the options, the costs, and which approach makes more sense depending on your situation.
The Two Options
Option A: One Applicant + One Dependent
One partner applies for DAFT as the primary applicant. The other partner comes as a dependent (family reunification). Only the primary applicant needs a business.
Option B: Both Partners Apply for DAFT
Both partners each apply for their own DAFT residence permit. Both need separate businesses and separate 4,500 EUR deposits.
Most couples go with Option A. But Option B has real advantages in certain situations.
The Cost Difference
| Expense | One + Dependent | Both Apply |
|---|---|---|
| DAFT deposit | 4,500 EUR (1x) | 9,000 EUR (2x) |
| IND fees | ~420 EUR | ~420 EUR (each) |
| MVV fees | ~420 EUR | ~420 EUR (each) |
| Documents and translations | ~400 USD | ~600 USD |
| Total extra cost for Option B | -- | ~5,500 USD |
Option B costs roughly $5,500 more upfront. That is real money. But the deposits are your business capital -- you use them, not lose them.
When One Applicant Makes More Sense
You have one entrepreneur and one employee. If one partner is self-employed and the other works a traditional job (or plans to find employment in the Netherlands), it does not make sense for both to apply. The dependent partner can get a work permit that allows regular employment -- something the DAFT visa does not directly provide.
Money is tight. If doubling the deposit stretches your budget thin, apply with one person. The dependent route is well-established and works smoothly. See our budget planning guide for the full financial picture.
One partner's business is not established. If Partner B has a vague business idea but no clients or income, applying under DAFT with a thin business plan adds risk. Better to come as a dependent and build the business once settled.
When Both Applying Makes More Sense
Both partners are already self-employed. If you both freelance or run businesses, both applying is natural. Each person has their own permit, their own business registration, and their own autonomy.
Independence at renewal time. Here is the big one. If only one partner has DAFT and the relationship ends, the dependent partner loses their residence permit. When both partners have their own DAFT permits, each person's right to stay is independent of the relationship.
We chose Option B partly for this reason. Not because we expected problems, but because we both wanted our own immigration status. It felt like the right kind of security.
Different business types. If you and your partner have different skills, two separate businesses can mean more diverse income and lower risk. One partner doing web design and the other doing consulting, for example.
The Dependent Route: What to Know
If you go with one applicant plus one dependent, here is how it works:
The primary applicant applies for DAFT. The dependent partner applies for a family reunification permit. Both applications can be submitted together. The dependent permit is tied to the primary applicant's permit.
Key details:
- The dependent gets a residence permit with a work permit endorsement
- This means the dependent can be employed by Dutch companies -- something DAFT holders cannot do
- The dependent can also freelance, but it is not required
- If the primary applicant's DAFT is not renewed, the dependent loses their permit too
For the full application process, see our guide on bringing your partner on DAFT.
Our Experience: Both Applying
We both applied for DAFT with separate businesses. Here is what that looked like:
The extra work: Two business plans, two KVK registrations, two sets of financial projections. It took more time but was not dramatically harder since many documents (housing proof, relationship evidence) overlap.
The cost: About $5,500 more than if only one of us had applied. Worth it for us, but not trivial.
The benefit: We each have our own residence permit, our own business, and our own financial independence. At renewal time, each application is evaluated separately. Neither of us depends on the other for our right to stay.
The unexpected perk: Having two registered businesses means we can invoice different types of clients. This has actually helped our household income.
Pro Tip: If both partners apply, you can submit your applications together and they will generally be processed in parallel. You do not need to wait for one to be approved before submitting the other.
What Happens at Renewal
This is where the choice really matters.
One applicant + dependent: The IND evaluates the primary applicant's business. If it is active and legitimate, both permits are renewed. If the primary applicant's business is weak, both permits are at risk.
Both applicants: Each business is evaluated independently. If one partner's business is thriving and the other's is slow, they are assessed separately. This is a meaningful safety net.
We know a couple where one partner's business had a rough year. Because they both had their own DAFT permits, the other partner's strong business performance did not matter for their individual assessment -- but neither did the weak year sink both permits.
The Relationship Question
Nobody likes thinking about this, but it matters: what happens if the relationship ends?
Dependent partner: Loses their residence permit if the relationship dissolves before they qualify for independent status (typically after 5 years). They would need to leave the Netherlands or find another visa basis.
Both DAFT holders: Each person keeps their own permit regardless of relationship status. Full independence.
This is not a reason to distrust your partner. It is a reason to think carefully about the structure that works best for both of you.
FAQ
Q: Can the dependent partner start a business later and switch to their own DAFT?
A: Yes. A dependent partner can apply for their own DAFT residence permit while already in the Netherlands. This means you could start with Option A (cheaper) and switch to Option B later if the dependent partner builds a business. It requires a new application and the 4,500 EUR deposit.
Q: Do both partners need to be US citizens?
A: DAFT requires US citizenship for the primary applicant. The dependent partner does not need to be a US citizen -- they come through family reunification, which is nationality-neutral. However, if both partners want their own DAFT permits, both must be US citizens.
Q: Is it harder to get approved if both partners apply?
A: Each application is evaluated on its own merits. Two strong applications from the same household do not hurt each other. The IND assesses whether each business is viable independently. Having solid DAFT requirements met for both is what matters.
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We're not immigration lawyers -- just Americans who did this. Requirements change, so verify with official sources.