Since 2015, the Netherlands has been running a program to attract startups to the country from outside the EU. The goal of this program is for citizens of countries outside the European Union to open innovative businesses in the Netherlands. In exchange, such foreigners receive the right to reside in the Netherlands, and subsequently, subject to the requirements of the law, to obtain citizenship. The goal of the program was to attract several dozen innovative businesses a year, and this task is being successfully completed. Attracting innovative businesses to the country allows the Netherlands to maintain and expand its scientific potential and increase international competitiveness. Find out more about the startup attraction program here.
The research department of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (Immigratie en Naturalisatiedienst - IND) evaluated the effectiveness of the start-up visa program. It turned out that they are received not only by entrepreneurs from abroad, but also by foreign students who previously lived in the Netherlands on student visas. A start-up visa is issued to innovative entrepreneurs for 1 year and is not renewable. In order to stay longer in the Netherlands, innovators must apply for self-employment and obtain a residence permit on a new basis. A study by IND found that more than half of innovative entrepreneurs want to stay in the Netherlands after their first year on a start-up visa.
Startups satisfied with services from IND and RVO
Studies have shown that the majority of participants in the start-up visa program are satisfied with the level of services provided by the IND and the state Enterprise Agency (Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend - RVO) of the Netherlands. In most cases, the IND makes a decision without delay, within the legal deadline. RVO and attracted facilitators (persons who supervise the work of involved startups in the Netherlands) are competent and enthusiastic about the selection of startups applying for inclusion in the program.
Of course, startups have additional wishes. The main one is the proposal to extend the validity of start-up visas. The increase in time to work in the Netherlands under this program will allow entrepreneurs to better prepare for the extension of a residence permit on the basis of self-employment. In addition, foreign entrepreneurs would like to receive a legally guaranteed opportunity to apply for participation in the program and communicate with officials in English.
Who comes to the Netherlands under the start-up visa program?
During 2015-2021 Approximately 65 foreign entrepreneurs-startups applied to participate in the program, 30/40 of them are men. 79% of applications were satisfied. The average age of applicants is between 16 and 10 years old. Applications were submitted by representatives of 8 nationalities: 7% of applications were submitted by residents of India, XNUMX% - Iran, XNUMX% - Russia, XNUMX% - America. Most of the applications involved businesses in the areas of information and computer technology, healthcare and creative industries (games, video, cinema).
If you want to start a startup and plan to participate in the Netherlands Startup Visa Program, contact Nalog.nl for help.
We invite you on October 12 at 18.00 Amsterdam time to the online conference “Residence permit in the Netherlands. For start-ups, businesses and skilled migrants.”
Among the speakers is Svetlana Koshek, director and founder of Nalog.nl.
Registration via link Online conference business visas in NL (skilltostart.eu)
