DAFT Success Rate: What Are Your Real Chances in 2026?
Before you invest months of preparation and thousands of dollars, you probably want to know: what are my actual chances of getting approved for the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT)?
It is a fair question. Here is what we know, what we do not know, and what actually matters for your application.
The Official Numbers (or Lack Thereof)
The IND does not publish DAFT-specific approval rates. Unlike some visa categories where public statistics are available, DAFT applications are grouped with other self-employment residence permits in official reporting.
What we do know from IND annual reports and immigration lawyer data:
- Self-employment residence permits (the broader category DAFT falls under) have historically had approval rates above 80%
- DAFT applications specifically are widely reported to have higher approval rates than other self-employment permits
- Immigration lawyers who handle DAFT cases regularly report approval rates of 90-95% for complete, well-prepared applications
These are not official IND numbers. Treat them as informed estimates.
Why DAFT Has Higher Approval Rates
DAFT applications tend to succeed more often than other Dutch self-employment visas for specific structural reasons:
Lower financial threshold. The 4,500 EUR deposit is straightforward to demonstrate. Other self-employment permits require proving your business adds essential value to the Dutch economy -- a much harder bar.
Treaty-based right. DAFT is based on a bilateral treaty between the US and the Netherlands. The IND has less discretion to deny applications that meet the treaty requirements. They cannot impose additional criteria beyond what the treaty specifies.
Clear checklist. The requirements are well-defined: US citizenship, deposit, business plan, clean record, health insurance. There is less subjectivity than with permits that require the IND to evaluate "added value" or "innovative character."
What Actually Determines Your Approval
Based on community data and immigration professional reports, here is what separates approved applications from denied ones:
The Non-Negotiables (Must Have)
- US citizenship: No exceptions. Not permanent residency, not a visa -- citizenship.
- 4,500 EUR in a Dutch business bank account: Properly documented, in your name, at time of application.
- Complete document package: Every required document, properly apostilled and translated.
- Clean criminal record: FBI background check showing no disqualifying offenses.
- Health insurance: Coverage that meets Dutch requirements.
If any of these are missing, your application will be denied regardless of everything else. Check the full requirements.
The Business Plan Factor
Your business plan does not need to be brilliant. It needs to be credible. The IND is looking for a clear description of what your business does, evidence that people will pay for your services (existing clients are ideal), realistic financial projections, and proof that this is genuine self-employment, not disguised employment.
Pro Tip: The strongest business plans we have seen from DAFT applicants are simple and specific. "I am a freelance web developer with 3 existing clients generating $5,000/month in revenue" is more convincing than a 20-page business plan for a startup that does not exist yet.
Factors That Do NOT Affect Approval
- Age: There is no age limit for DAFT.
- Education level: No degree required.
- Business type: The IND accepts a wide range of self-employment activities.
- Where in the US you are from: Does not matter.
- How much money you have beyond the deposit: The 4,500 EUR is the requirement. Extra savings are nice but not a factor in the decision.
Denial Rates and Common Causes
The estimated 5-10% denial rate for prepared applications breaks down roughly as follows:
| Cause | Estimated % of Denials |
|---|---|
| Incomplete documents | 40-50% |
| Insufficient business plan | 20-30% |
| Criminal record issues | 10-15% |
| Deposit problems | 5-10% |
| Other (fraud, ineligibility) | 5-10% |
Notice: the top two causes -- incomplete documents and weak business plans -- are entirely within your control. Fixing these two issues alone would eliminate the majority of denials.
For a detailed guide on preventing denial, see what happens if DAFT is denied.
Renewal Rates: The Second Hurdle
Getting approved initially is one thing. Renewing after 2 years is another. The IND evaluates whether your business has been genuinely active.
Renewal denial is more common than initial denial. Not dramatically, but noticeably. The most common reasons:
Business inactivity. If you registered a business and then worked as an employee (or did nothing), the IND will notice. They check KVK records, tax filings, and invoicing history.
No tax filings. If you have not filed taxes as a self-employed person, that is a major red flag.
Extended absence from the Netherlands. If you have been out of the country for long stretches, the IND may question whether you actually live here.
The people who get denied at renewal are generally those who treated DAFT as a loophole rather than a genuine self-employment visa. If you run a real business and file your taxes, renewal is straightforward.
How to Maximize Your Chances
Before Applying
- Get every document right. Use the DAFT documents checklist and verify each item.
- Write a specific business plan. Real services, real pricing, ideally real clients.
- Order your FBI check early. An expired check is one of the most common fixable errors.
- Have your application reviewed. A second pair of eyes catches mistakes you will miss.
Borderline Cases
If you have a criminal record, an unusual business model, or any complicating factor, consider hiring an immigration lawyer. The 1,000-3,000 EUR fee is a worthwhile investment when the stakes are this high.
At Renewal
- Run your business actively (invoices, clients, revenue).
- File Dutch taxes every year.
- Maintain your KVK registration.
- Keep records of business activity.
Putting It in Perspective
DAFT is one of the most accessible residency pathways in Europe. The requirements are clear, the threshold is low, and the approval rate for prepared applicants is high.
The people who get denied are overwhelmingly those who submitted incomplete applications or did not meet the basic requirements. If you take the time to prepare properly, your odds are strongly in your favor.
That said, no visa application is guaranteed. Prepare thoroughly, submit a complete application, and you are giving yourself the best possible chance.
FAQ
Q: Does hiring a lawyer increase my chances of approval?
A: For straightforward cases, probably not significantly. The requirements are clear enough that a well-organized person can handle the application themselves. A lawyer adds the most value for complicated cases: criminal records, unusual business structures, or reapplications after a denial.
Q: Are approval rates different at different Dutch embassies?
A: Technically, the IND in the Netherlands makes the decision regardless of which embassy you submit through. However, some embassies are reportedly more thorough in their initial document review, which can catch errors before your application reaches the IND. This is actually a good thing -- better to fix an error early than have it cause a denial.
Q: If I apply with my partner, does that change our odds?
A: Each application is evaluated independently. Applying with a partner (whether as a dependent or both as DAFT applicants) does not reduce your chances. The IND assesses each person's eligibility separately. Read more about applying as a couple.
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We're not immigration lawyers -- just Americans who did this. Requirements change, so verify with official sources.