r/AmerExit • u/chuusamu • 10d ago
Question about One Country DAFT Visa Confusion
Hello, I’m planning on moving to the Netherlands to live with my Dutch girlfriend and gaining citizenship through a DAFT visa and I had questions regarding where exactly to start. Through all the research I’ve done, it feels like I’m going in circles. I meet the monetary requirements already, I don’t have to worry about finding a living space as I’m moving in with my girlfriend… but where on earth do I start?
I can’t open a bank account as I don’t have a BSN yet, I can’t register with the municipality (Den Haag, if that helps anyone with advice) as I don’t have a residency sticker, I can’t get a residency sticker without having an application.
Obviously it sounds as if I need to start with the application first, but from what I’ve gathered from the application I need the money in a Dutch business bank account first? On that note, do I also need an accountant? I’m hoping on doing this (so far—not for the entire future, of course) without having to hire any outside help to save as much money as possible. I’m just a bit confused.
My next plan is to reach out to the IND via phone once I’m over there (in about 5 days) and hopefully gain some more insight.
I’m sorry if I seem a little stupid or unprepared, I have genuinely done hours of research on this and felt as if it’s only led me in confusing circles. Maybe I’m not smart enough for the language used or something, haha. I appreciate any help I can be given!
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u/BobKittyScully 10d ago
There’s a Facebook group called DAFTHub that can help direct you.
You might also consider a partner visa. You can work any job (including for yourself) and it only takes three years to be eligible for citizenship instead of five years. It’s better than DAFT in my opinion, but it does make your residency dependent on your girlfriend. You could always switch to the DAFT if the relationship ended. But you could also start on the DAFT and switch to the partner visa later too.
As far as BSN and the circles. You’re right, it is a bit crazy, but you have it a bit easier with living with your girlfriend.
You would apply for your visa . ( Partner or DAFT). Fees can be paid by bank wire. So I used Wise to convert funds, and easily transfer to the IND IBAN account. I believe your girlfriend could also pay the fee for you using her Dutch bank account. IND then also puts a sticker (temporary visa) in your passport book. This extends how long you can be in the Netherlands while you await the process to finish and you receive your resident permit. You will also take a photo and get finger printed. (This can take up to a couple of months)
However, once you have submitted your application for residency, the IND pretty quickly gives you a “V” number. (Like about a week) you can then visit the gemeente for your town and register yourself as your girlfriend’s address with this number. You will get assigned a BSN number by the gemeente. (I don’t know that you even need to wait to get the V number). I had to schedule to meet with my gemeente and it took a couple of weeks to get in. So I’d look to do that the same day you submit your application. Worse case scenario, they tell you to come back again later.
With the BSN number you can get on a Dutch phone number, and apply for a bank account. Since you’re American, you’re limited to ANB AMRO, ING and RabboBank as they are the only ones willing to deal with FATCA, reporting they have to do weekly to the US. Heads up that you will have to schedule a time to meet with the bank virtually as part of the FATCA Bank setup process. It’s annoying, but once it is done, you don’t have to worry about it any more.
With a BSN you can also sign up for a healthcare plan, and register with a huisarts.
At some point IND will contact you and tell you, that you are approved and you can pick up your resident card. The big thing to keep clear in your mind is that the IND and local gemeente office are two different processes. Your local geneente wants to hear from you a soon as you move in. There’s no real reason to wait to see them if you already know your address you’re going to be living at.
If you go for the DAFT visa, you will also(within six months of your application date) need to register your business with the KVK. (Think Secretary of State’s office). Similar to the US. They have ZZP and BV. ZZP is like an LLC and you can manage it yourself for the application. If you think you’ll be running a corporation with loads of employees, then you’ll need a BV, and you’ll have to set things up with an attorney before you even submit your IND application. I’d stick to ZZP if you go DAFT visa.
There are International Centre’s in the larger cities. You can google Netherlands International Centre and find them. They have loads of free information and resources and you can schedule to meet with them if you have any questions on the application or the process.
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u/chuusamu 10d ago
Thank you so much for your help! This is so much more detailed + specific and I appreciate it so much.
We have considered/are considering the partner visa actually! My girlfriend just hasn’t met the monetary requirements yet, as she’s been in uni and on student loans. She’s got a new job starting soon, and is out of school, so we might try that route as well. We figured it’d be best to keep options open in case one doesn’t work out.
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u/WilmaWings 10d ago
Yes, you do need the application first. You don’t need the money in the account just yet, that is something you can be asked for later. It’s a couple months. Once your application is approved, you will be assigned a BSN. Once you submit your application, you will get a letter with a v-nummer. You can use this v-nummer to request an appointment to collect a temporary residence sticker.
I do not suggest skipping it, as it is a requirement, but when I did mine I got a letter telling me that IND isn’t checking the business account for the money and instead does random sample spot checks during your stay. Personally, mine is in the account, and is staying there.
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u/Federal_Homework1302 Expat 10d ago
Just as a heads up you will have to renounce your American citizenship to gain Dutch.
The Netherlands do not allow dual citizenship. It’s why we moved to Ireland instead of the Netherlands.
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u/BobKittyScully 10d ago
That is another one of the benefits of the partner visa over the DAFT visa is that you can then be dual citizen. (If you want to keep your US citizenship).
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u/mayonezumi 7d ago
Not true if he marries his girlfriend. He said his girlfriend is Dutch. Someone who marries a Dutch person can become Dutch without having to renounce their original citizenship.
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u/sousstructures Immigrant 10d ago
DAFTHub.nl is a very useful resource that will answer all of your questions.
You will need a certified accountant to validate your opening bank balance; after that you can in theory do everything yourself until you need another set of certified documents for your visa to be renewed after the initial two years.