How to Switch from a DAFT Visa to a Different Type

One of the most common questions we hear from people already on their Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) visa: "What happens next? Am I stuck as a self-employed person forever?"

The short answer is no. DAFT is a great starting point, but it doesn't have to be your forever visa. There are several paths forward, including permanent residency, switching to an employee work visa, or eventually becoming a Dutch citizen.

Here's what each option looks like.

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Option 1: Stay on DAFT (Renew Every 2 Years)

The simplest path. Your initial DAFT permit lasts two years, and you can renew it indefinitely as long as your business remains active and you continue meeting the requirements.

Renewal requirements are slightly different from the initial application. The IND will look at:

• Whether your business is actually operating
• Your income and business activity
• Whether you're still running the business yourself
• Continued health insurance coverage

You don't need to be earning a fortune. The IND wants to see a genuinely active business, not necessarily a wildly profitable one. Many DAFT holders renew successfully while still growing their businesses.

Reality Check: Renewal isn't automatic. The IND does evaluate your business, and some people have had renewals questioned when their business showed very little activity or income. Keep your business genuinely active, even if it's not your primary focus.

For the full breakdown of what to expect, see our DAFT visa renewal guide.

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Option 2: Permanent Residency

After five years of continuous legal residence in the Netherlands (including time on your DAFT permit), you can apply for permanent residency (onbepaalde tijd verblijfsvergunning).

Requirements for Permanent Residency

• Five years of continuous residence — you must have lived in the Netherlands without significant gaps
• Integration exam (inburgeringsexamen) — you must pass a Dutch civic integration exam, which includes Dutch language, knowledge of Dutch society, and orientation on the Dutch labor market
• Sufficient income — you need to show you can support yourself (your DAFT business income counts)
• No serious criminal record
• Valid health insurance

The Integration Exam

This is the part that surprises many Americans. You'll need to demonstrate Dutch language skills at A2 level (basic conversational ability). The exam covers:

• Reading Dutch
• Writing Dutch
• Listening comprehension
• Speaking Dutch
• Knowledge of Dutch Society (KNS)
• Orientation on the Dutch Labour Market (ONA)

A2 level is achievable with consistent study, but don't underestimate it. Start learning Dutch early in your time in the Netherlands. Many cities including Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht offer integration courses through the gemeente or private language schools.

Pro Tip: Some DAFT holders are eligible for an exemption from the integration exam if they've completed Dutch-language higher education or hold certain diplomas. Check your eligibility before assuming you need to take the exam.

Benefits of Permanent Residency

• No need to renew every two years
• No longer tied to self-employment — you can work as an employee if you want
• More stable immigration status
• Easier time with banks, landlords, and other institutions
• Stepping stone to citizenship

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Option 3: Switch to a Skilled Worker (Work) Visa

If you find a job with a Dutch employer, you can switch from DAFT to a Skilled Worker visa (kennismigrant). This is common for people who start on DAFT, build a network, and eventually get offered a position at a Dutch company.

How the Switch Works

1. A Dutch employer offers you a position
2. The employer must be a recognized sponsor (erkend referent) with the IND
3. The employer initiates the Skilled Worker visa application
4. The IND processes the change — you don't need to leave the Netherlands
5. Your DAFT permit ends and the Skilled Worker permit begins

Key Considerations

• Income threshold — the Skilled Worker visa has minimum salary requirements (varies by age, roughly 40,000-55,000 euros annually)
• Your business — you'll need to wind down or close your Dutch business, or find a way to maintain it alongside employment (tricky under a work visa)
• 30% ruling — as a Skilled Worker, you may qualify for the 30% ruling, a tax benefit that makes up to 30% of your salary tax-free for up to five years. This can be financially significant.

What We Wish We Knew: Some people keep their KVK registration active even after switching to a work visa, doing occasional freelance work on the side. The legality of this depends on your specific visa conditions. Check with the IND or an immigration attorney before assuming you can do both.

For a detailed comparison of these two visa types, see our DAFT vs. Skilled Worker visa comparison.

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Option 4: Dutch Citizenship

After five continuous years of legal residence in the Netherlands, you can apply for Dutch citizenship through naturalization. This is the most permanent option.

Requirements for Naturalization

• Five years of continuous, legal residence in the Netherlands
• Pass the civic integration exam (or be exempt)
• Renounce your US citizenship (with some exceptions — more on this below)
• No serious criminal record in the past four years
• Be 18 or older

The Renunciation Question

This is the big one for Americans. The Netherlands generally requires you to give up your existing citizenship when you naturalize. For US citizens, this means renouncing your American passport.

But there are exceptions. You may be able to keep your US citizenship if:

• You're married to or in a registered partnership with a Dutch citizen
• Renunciation would cost you a significant amount of money (the US charges over $2,000 for renunciation, which the Netherlands recognizes as an unreasonable burden in some cases)
• You have other qualifying circumstances

This is a deeply personal decision with major implications for taxes, travel, voting rights, and your relationship with the US. Many DAFT holders who qualify for citizenship spend months or years weighing this choice.

For more on this path, check our guide to Dutch citizenship for Americans.

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Option 5: EU Long-Term Resident Status

After five years of continuous legal residence, you can also apply for EU long-term resident status. This is different from Dutch permanent residency and comes with the added benefit of making it easier to live and work in other EU countries.

The requirements are similar to Dutch permanent residency:

• Five years of continuous residence
• Stable income
• Health insurance
• Integration exam (in most cases)

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Comparison: Your Options at a Glance

Path	Timeline	Key Benefit	Key Requirement
Renew DAFT	Every 2 years	Stay self-employed, simple	Active business
Permanent residency	After 5 years	No more renewals	Integration exam
Skilled Worker visa	Anytime	Employment benefits, 30% ruling	Employer sponsor
Dutch citizenship	After 5 years	Full rights, EU passport	Usually renounce US citizenship
EU long-term resident	After 5 years	Live/work across EU	Stable income, integration

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Planning Your Path

Most people don't need to decide their long-term path immediately. When you first arrive on DAFT, focus on getting settled, building your business, and enjoying life in the Netherlands. The options above will still be there in a few years.

That said, a few things are worth doing early:

• Start learning Dutch. Whether you aim for permanent residency, citizenship, or just a better daily life, Dutch language skills help with everything.
• Keep good financial records. Every future visa option benefits from clean, organized business finances.
• Stay continuously resident. Extended absences from the Netherlands can reset your five-year clock for permanent residency and citizenship.

Your DAFT visa is the starting point, not the ending point. Where you go from here is up to you.

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