A self-employed person can now also apply for a residence permit of the Netherlands. This means, if you want to enjoy doing business in one of the top EU countries, this could be an excellent option. If you want to start a business (company) in the Netherlands, there are a number of conditions that you need to fulfill for a residence permit as a self-employed person. A valid provisional residence permit (MVV: machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf) is required for this type of application. There are also situations where you do not need a provisional residence permit. For example, if you are a family member of a citizen of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland.
The initial visa is issued for 2 years in most cases which is extendable. After spending five years in the Netherlands, you can apply for free-to-work status that allows you to stay permanently there.
What is an MVV (machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf)?
The mvv is a visa sticker (type D) that is attached to your passport. and is valid for 90 days. Once you travel to the Netherlands within 90 days, there you can collect your residence permit.
Requirements for applying for an MVV residence permit for self-employed persons
If you are a freelancer, you must have one or more assignments in the Netherlands. Working freelance means you don’t have a boss and you take on individual assignments.
If you start a business in individual healthcare, you must be in the BIG register.
The following conditions apply to you for applying for a business visa:
- You are registered in the Trade Register of the Chamber of Commerce (KvK),
- You are not a threat to public order or national security.
- Upon arrival in the Netherlands, you will have a medical examination for tuberculosis (TB),
- Your work is of vital importance to the Dutch economy,
- You meet the requirements to be able to practice your profession or start your business. This means that you have all the necessary permits,
- You meet the income requirements. This must be apparent from the business plan.
Visa costs
The application costs are € 1446.00 for the MVV for a self-employment visa. The application form states how you must pay the costs. Pay the costs within 3 weeks after the date that the Dutch representation has entered on your application form.
Income requirements
To apply for a business visa your income should be independent if you earn the income from legally permitted work. You pay tax on the profits from your company. Your income is sustainable if you have already been earning this income for 18 months at the time of the application.
Your income is sufficient if in each financial year your average taxable profit per month was at least equal to the standard amount with holiday pay. The IND looks at the last 18 months before the application.
The IND uses the following way to calculate the profit:
Total operating income – total costs = profit company
In a partnership, general partnership, or limited partnership, the profit is divided by the number of partners, partners, or associates. The amount that remains is your profit.
How to apply for MVV and TEV?
You apply for an MVV together with a residence permit. This is called an Application for Entry and Residence (TEV). You can apply for the MVV and residence permit yourself. To do this, contact the Dutch embassy or consulate in the country of your nationality. Or in your country of permanent residence. Then you submit the application at the Dutch embassy in a neighboring country.
You should also present with you to the appointment at the embassy with the following:
- a passport photo,
- You have a valid passport,
- completed application form,
- Sometimes you need to bring extra documents which are listed in the application form,
- Anyone over the age of 12 must enclose a completed Antecedents Statement Annex with the application.
An embassy employee will take your fingerprints. An employee of the Dutch representation registers your application and puts the application date on the application form. The employee also fills in the details of the Dutch representation. You will then receive the form back. You will receive a confirmation of receipt with your personal V-number.
After having the above-mentioned process completed, send the application together with the documents to the IND (Netherlands Immigration Services) in the Netherlands. You should do this within 3 weeks after the date that the Dutch representation has entered on your application form. The form states where to send the application.
Once your application has been approved, you can collect the mvv from the Dutch embassy or consulate. You can collect the MVV within 3 months after you have received a positive decision. IND normally takes 90 days to process ou visa application. If you receive a negative decision for IND, you can also appeal against their decision.
Visa for family members
Your family members or relatives are allowed to work in the Netherlands without a work permit (TWV). It says on their residence permit ‘work allowed on a self-employed basis, free to work, no work permit required’.
Visa application forms