Daft Visa
Posted by holacoricia@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 9 comments
This is a question for people who've used the daft Visa to move, preferably to the Netherlands. What kind of businesses or freelance position did you apply for/under? Just wanted to know what people have applied for and your experience getting approved.
We're trying to move to Netherlands and we're working on our applications. We hear about retirees moving under Daft and we want to increase our chances of getting approved without too much hassle. We're thinking to apply under freelancers but we don't want an idea that's too far out there.
Global_Giraffe_5528@reddit
Following this thread. I plan to start this process in a month or so. The thing that I dont really understand is how you can show proof of a year lease for an apartment as you're applying, when typically to apply for an apartment you have to show proof of legal rights to rent. -- To answer the question you asked, my plan is to use my existing counseling, coaching, and tutoring with existing clients to apply. I only work with US clients and that will continue until I learn Dutch, so I think itll work out.
Cevohklan@reddit
Someone did a WOO request about the statistics behind DAFT. ( an information request. Answered by the government )
https://ind.nl/nl/service-contact/contact-met-ind/woo-verzoek-indienen
He asked:
In 2022 how many people requested a DAFT visa?
in 2022 how many people were naturalised who at one point required a DAFT visa?
Answers :
530 people.
10 people.
DAFT is not the easy way in, that people think it is.
These are official government numbers.
HossAcross@reddit
*BKGD: I live in NL on DAFT and had my renewal approved earlier this year*
Those numbers are more a reflection of how few people use and renew DAFT than of how selective it is. It's a really tiny % of Dutch immigration and very few people renew. "Naturalization" if the term is correctly translated here, would refer to citizenship, which very few Americans get because it requires renouncing American citizenship. Even the number of people on DAFT who get permanent residency is pretty low.
-Application is automatically approved depending on when you apply, otherwise approval is nearly 100%. There are two different processes for DAFT but either way, it's not a hi bar for approval and it doesn't matter what your business is (you can't do it using retirement as your business).
-Most people don't renew: culture shock, homesickness, they change to another type of visa (partner, HSM), financial difficulties because they aren't able to fund themselves as a 100% entrepreneur.
Medium_Quiet3502@reddit
Not an expert on DAFT but am slightly confused by the question - DAFT on applies to the Netherlands and isn’t really applicable to retirees as far as I am aware. The requirements all seem quite straightforward though - https://www.iamexpat.nl/career/employment-news/daft-how-us-freelancers-can-live-work-in-netherlands
Just be aware this visa doesn’t give you any employment rights should your business / zzp not generate sufficient income. And getting housing may be difficult as you’ll be viewed as a higher risk by landlords.
holacoricia@reddit (OP)
I'm aware it doesn't give employment benefits to me, the person who applies, but my spouse will receive a work permit.
I mention retirees because we're in a similar situation. We have passive income and don't qualify for other visa's, nor do we want to apply as a highly skilled migrant. DAFT is the only other option for retirees to use if they want to move.
We understand the difficulties and know we'll have to put down 3-6months of rent upfront to landlords. It is, what it is.
What we want to know is what freelance "business" people have used to get their applications approved.
Medium_Quiet3502@reddit
From what I gather it doesn’t really matter what the freelance business is - just ensure all the set up has been done (money in bank, company registered, accounts set up). Am from the UK so don’t have direct experience but run am freelance in NL and know someone here on the DAFT visa. Good luck!
holacoricia@reddit (OP)
Understood, thank you!
afaerieprincess80@reddit
I think you will have much more luck getting answers by looking at a DAFT specific resource. I know there is a DAFT FB group.
holacoricia@reddit (OP)
THANK YOU!!!!! This is a huge help