DAFT Timeline: How Long Does the Full Process Take?
"How long does DAFT take?" is one of the most common questions we hear. The honest answer: longer than you think. The Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) application itself is just one part of a process that stretches months before and after.
Here is the complete timeline based on our experience and dozens of conversations with other DAFT applicants.
The Full Timeline: Start to Settled
Phase 1: Research and Decision (1-3 months)
This is where you are now. Researching DAFT, assessing whether it is right for you, and making the decision to commit. Some people spend a week on this. Others take months. Neither is wrong.
What to do in this phase:
- Read the full DAFT requirements
- Assess your budget
- Decide on applying from the US or the Netherlands
- Start saving if you are not already there financially
Phase 2: Document Preparation (2-4 months)
This is the phase that catches people off guard. Gathering and preparing your documents takes longer than expected because several steps have mandatory waiting periods.
| Document | Timeline |
|---|---|
| FBI background check | 12-16 weeks |
| Birth certificate apostille | 2-6 weeks (varies by state) |
| FBI results apostille | 2-4 weeks |
| Document translations | 1-2 weeks |
| Business plan drafting | 1-3 weeks |
The critical path item: Your FBI background check. Start this first. Everything else can happen in parallel, but the FBI check takes 12-16 weeks and cannot be rushed (despite what some services claim).
For the complete document list, see our DAFT documents checklist.
Pro Tip: Order your FBI background check the same week you decide to pursue DAFT. Even if you change your mind, you are only out $18. If you do not change your mind, you just saved yourself 3 months of waiting.
Phase 3: Application Submission (1-2 weeks)
Once your documents are ready, the actual submission is relatively quick. If applying from the US, you submit to the Dutch embassy or consulate. If applying from within the Netherlands, you submit to the IND directly.
Embassy appointment: Available within 1-4 weeks in most US cities. New York and San Francisco tend to have longer waits.
Phase 4: MVV Processing (1-3 months)
After submission, the IND processes your application and issues an MVV (entry visa) if approved. This is the waiting period where you cannot do much except prepare for the move.
| Scenario | Typical Wait |
|---|---|
| Complete application, no issues | 4-6 weeks |
| Application needs additional info | 6-10 weeks |
| Complex case (criminal history, unusual business) | 8-12 weeks |
Our experience: We submitted a complete application and received our MVV in about 5 weeks. We know others who waited 10 weeks due to a missing document that required resubmission.
Phase 5: The Move (2-4 weeks)
Once you have your MVV, you have 3 months to enter the Netherlands. Most people move within 4-6 weeks of receiving it.
What happens in this window:
- Book flights
- Ship belongings (if any)
- Close out US obligations
- Arrange temporary housing in the Netherlands
Phase 6: Getting Settled (1-3 months)
After arriving, you have a new set of tasks with their own timelines:
| Task | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Register at gemeente (municipality) | 1-2 weeks for appointment |
| Receive BSN number | At registration appointment |
| Register at KVK (Chamber of Commerce) | 1-2 weeks |
| Open Dutch bank account | 2-4 weeks |
| Transfer DAFT deposit | 1-2 weeks after account opens |
| IND biometrics appointment | 2-4 weeks after arrival |
| Receive residence permit card | 2-4 weeks after biometrics |
| Find permanent housing | 2-8 weeks (highly variable) |
Total Timeline: Decision to Settled
| Phase | Duration |
|---|---|
| Research and decision | 1-3 months |
| Document preparation | 2-4 months |
| Application and MVV processing | 1-3 months |
| The move | 2-4 weeks |
| Getting settled | 1-3 months |
| Total | 6-14 months |
Most people land somewhere around 8-10 months from "I am seriously doing this" to "I am settled in my apartment with a working business."
What Slows Things Down
Based on what we have seen, these are the most common delays:
FBI background check delays. The FBI quotes 12-16 weeks but occasionally takes longer. There is no way to expedite this through official channels.
Missing or incorrect documents. A document that is not properly apostilled, an expired background check (they are valid for 6 months), or a missing translation can add 4-8 weeks.
Housing search. This is the wildcard. Some people find an apartment in 2 weeks. Others search for 2 months. The Dutch rental market is competitive and unpredictable.
Embassy appointment availability. If you are applying from a city far from a Dutch consulate, travel and appointment scheduling add time.
For common mistakes that cause delays, read about DAFT application mistakes.
How to Speed Things Up
Start documents immediately. FBI background check on day one. Apostilles in parallel. Do not wait.
Apply from within the Netherlands. If you enter on a tourist visa (90 days), you can apply to the IND directly. This skips the MVV step and can save 4-8 weeks. But it comes with other tradeoffs. See our comparison of applying from the US vs. the Netherlands.
Have your documents reviewed before submitting. A single error can add weeks. Get a second pair of eyes on everything.
Line up housing before you arrive. Start searching while your MVV is processing. You cannot sign a lease remotely in most cases, but you can narrow your search and schedule viewings for your first week.
The Timeline We Followed
For reference, here is our actual timeline:
- Month 1: Decided to pursue DAFT. Ordered FBI background check.
- Month 2: Gathered birth certificates. Started apostille process.
- Month 3: FBI results arrived. Sent for apostille. Drafted business plan. Got document translations.
- Month 4: Submitted application at Dutch consulate.
- Month 5: MVV approved. Booked flights.
- Month 6: Arrived in the Netherlands. Stayed in temporary housing.
- Month 7: Found apartment. Registered at gemeente. Opened bank account.
- Month 8: Received residence permit. Business fully operational.
Total: about 8 months from decision to settled. We consider this slightly faster than average because our documents were complete on first submission.
FAQ
Q: Can I speed up the FBI background check?
A: Not through official channels. The FBI processes requests in order and does not offer expedited service for this type of check. Third-party "expediting" services cannot actually make the FBI work faster -- they just submit your request for you. File directly at www.edo.cjis.gov and save the fee.
Q: How long is the DAFT residence permit valid?
A: The initial permit is valid for 2 years. After that, you can renew for 5 years at a time. After 5 years total, you can apply for permanent residency or Dutch citizenship.
Q: What if my documents expire during the waiting period?
A: FBI background checks are valid for 6 months from the date of issue. If your processing time exceeds this, you may need a new one. This is another reason to submit your application as soon as your documents are ready -- do not sit on them.
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We're not immigration lawyers -- just Americans who did this. Requirements change, so verify with official sources.