Kenya → Netherlands: the Start-up / DAFT roadmap
The Netherlands Start-up residence permit lets entrepreneurs with an innovative product or service build their business over one year while working with an approved Dutch facilitator (mentor), after which they can switch to the self-employed permit. It does not require a fixed investment but requires sufficient funds to live in the Netherlands; the IND fee is 423 euros and the decision period is up to 90 days. US citizens have a simpler parallel route, the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT), which needs 4,500 euros of business capital and gives a 2-year renewable permit. Renewal-income figures vary slightly across sources, so confidence is medium.
Moving from Kenya
- You apply for the Start-up / DAFT at the Netherlands consulate, embassy, or visa application centre that serves Kenya, confirm the office and the current appointment wait for your region.
- Qualifications and work experience earned in Kenya usually need a credential assessment or recognition before they count toward Netherlands's requirements.
- Budget for certified translation and apostille or legalisation of your Kenya documents (degree, police certificate, civil records).
- Check whether a Kenya passport needs a short-stay visa for any in-person biometrics or interview steps.
General guidance for any Kenya to Netherlands applicant; the eligibility and fees below are set by Netherlands.
At a glance
Who qualifies
- Work with a facilitator (mentor) on the RVO official list, who cannot be a close relative or hold a majority stake
- Offer an innovative product, service, technology, or business method (not just a copy of an existing business)
- Submit a step-by-step plan covering the company structure, legal form, staffing, goals, and innovation roadmap
- Play an active organisational role in the company (more than a passive shareholder) and register with the Chamber of Commerce (KVK)
- Show sufficient financial means to live in the Netherlands, via Dutch bank statements or facilitator financing
- DAFT alternative for US citizens: own at least 25% of a Dutch business and deposit 4,500 euros of capital
Your step-by-step roadmap
Prepare and secure a facilitator
- Find and sign an agreement with an approved facilitator from the RVO official list
- Develop the innovative business idea and write the required step-by-step plan
- Arrange proof of sufficient funds (Dutch bank statements or facilitator financing)
Apply to the IND
- Submit the Start-up application to the IND and pay the 423 euro fee
- Provide the facilitator agreement, step-by-step plan, and financial evidence
- Await the IND decision (legal term up to 90 days)
Establish the business in year one
- Register the company with the Chamber of Commerce (KVK)
- Work with the facilitator and execute the step-by-step plan
- Build evidence of progress and at least 3 months of successful mentoring
Transition to self-employed permit
- Before the 1-year permit expires, apply for the self-employed residence permit
- Demonstrate the business meets the points-based self-employment / essential-interest criteria
- Show viable income and continued business activity
Toward PR and citizenship
- Maintain continuous legal residence and timely permit renewals
- After 5 years apply for permanent residence (stable income, integration)
- Pass the civic integration exam (A2) and apply for naturalisation
Government fees
Timeline & path to citizenship
Timeline: Allow roughly 1 to 3 months to find a facilitator and prepare the plan, up to 90 days for the IND decision, one year on the Start-up permit, then a switch to the self-employed permit, with permanent residence reachable after 5 years of continuous legal residence.
Citizenship: Permanent residence is available after 5 years of continuous legal residence with stable income, and Dutch citizenship by naturalisation is possible after 5 years of residence plus passing the civic integration exam at A2 level (a proposal to extend the term to 10 years remains a proposal and is not yet law).
This is general information to help you plan, not legal advice. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration professional.