Move to Amsterdam, Netherlands. The routes, mapped.
13 visa routes into Netherlands, each with its real required-document list, pulled live from the Nomad knowledge graph. Start a plan and we sequence the right one for your situation.
United States to Netherlands: the money facts
Treaty coverage, double-tax exposure, and what setup actually costs, so you know the financial shape of the move before you commit.
How you can legally move to Netherlands
13 visa routes into Netherlands, every route the knowledge graph maps, unranked. The numbers that decide the route: income floor, timeline, filing costs, and who comes with you.
| Route | Income floor | Timeline | Costs | Family & work | About & documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant) | $5,810/mo | 5 years~4 wks processing 路 Renewable | $415 fee | Family ok | A sponsored residence permit for skilled workers hired by a Netherlands-registered employer, valid up to 5 years and renewable, with a monthly salary threshold and access to the 30 percent tax ruling. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Recognised Sponsor Employment Contract NL, Salary Threshold Declaration IND, Antecedents Certificate IND, Health Insurance Netherlands Basisverzekering Or Equivalent, Proof Accommodation Netherlands, Passport Photo Biometric NL, +2 more Official source |
| EU Blue Card (Europese Blauwe Kaart) | $6,200/mo | 4 years~8 wks processing 路 Renewable | $415 fee | Family ok | A 4-year renewable work residence permit for highly qualified non-EU nationals earning at least EUR 5,688 per month, enabling EU career mobility after 12 months in the Netherlands. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Employment Contract Netherlands Blue Card, Recognised Foreign Qualification NL, Antecedents Certificate IND, Health Insurance Netherlands Basisverzekering Or Equivalent, Proof Accommodation Netherlands, Passport Photo Biometric NL, +2 more Official source |
| DAFT (Dutch-American Friendship Treaty) | Varies | 2 years~8 wks processing 路 Renewable | $1,780 fee | Remote work ok, Family ok | A renewable residence permit for US citizens only to operate a self-employed business in the Netherlands, requiring a EUR 4,500 capital deposit instead of the standard points system. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Proof Of US Citizenship, Kvk Registration Extract, Business Bank Account Statement NL, DAFT Business Plan, Antecedents Certificate IND, Health Insurance Netherlands Basisverzekering Or Equivalent, +3 more Official source |
| Self-Employment Visa (Verblijfsvergunning Zelfstandig Ondernemer) | $1,525/mo | 2 years~16 wks processing 路 Renewable | $1,780 fee | Remote work ok, Family ok | A 2-year renewable residence permit for non-EU entrepreneurs and freelancers who pass the Dutch points-based business evaluation to found or operate a self-employed business in the Netherlands. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Self Employment Business Plan NL, CV And Diplomas Apostilled, Financial Documentation Bank Statements NL, Kvk Registration Extract, RVO Points System Documentation, Antecedents Certificate IND, +4 more Official source |
| EU Long-Term Residence (Daueraufenthalt-EU) | $1,525/mo | 9999 months~16 wks processing | $247 fee | Remote work ok, Family ok | An indefinite Netherlands residence permit for non-EU citizens after five years of legal residence, with the key benefit of simplified mobility to reside and work in other EU member states. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Current Residence Permit Copy, BRP Registration Certificate 5 Years, Income Proof Bank Statements And Steuerbescheid, Inburgering Exam Pass Or Exemption, Antecedents Certificate IND, Health Insurance Netherlands Continuous Proof, +3 more Official source |
| Student Visa (Verblijfsvergunning Studie) | $1,245/mo | 1 year~6 wks processing 路 Renewable | $249 fee | A renewable residence permit for full-time degree-seeking students enrolled at a recognized Dutch higher-education institution, valid for 12 months and renewable annually for the program duration. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), University Admission Letter Bewijs Toelating, Proof Of Subsistence Funds Student, Health Insurance Netherlands Student Or Basisverzekering, Apostilled Prior Qualifications, Language Proof English Or Dutch Program, Proof Accommodation Netherlands, +3 more Official source | |
| Orientation Year (Zoekjaar Hoogopgeleiden) | Varies | 1 year~4 wks processing | $415 fee | Remote work ok, Family ok | A 12-month non-renewable Dutch residence permit for recent graduates of Dutch institutions or top-150 global universities, allowing unrestricted work, freelance, and remote employment with no salary threshold or employer sponsor required. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Recent Diploma Top 150 University Or Dutch Institution, Proof Of Dutch Graduation Or Equivalent, Antecedents Certificate IND, Health Insurance Netherlands Basisverzekering Or Equivalent, Proof Accommodation Netherlands, Passport Photo Biometric NL, +1 more Official source |
| Start-up Visa (Verblijfsvergunning Start-up) | $1,525/mo | 1 year~12 wks processing | $415 fee | Remote work ok, Family ok | A 12-month residence permit for non-EU founders launching an innovative business in the Netherlands, requiring endorsement from an IND-recognised facilitator such as an accelerator or university program. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Facilitator Agreement Endorsed, Business Plan Innovation Startup, Proof Of Subsistence Funds, Kvk Registration Extract, Antecedents Certificate IND, Health Insurance Netherlands Basisverzekering Or Equivalent, +3 more Official source |
| Working Holiday Programme (Working Holiday Scheme) | Varies | 1 year~6 wks processing | $83 fee | Remote work ok | A 12-month, non-renewable residence permit for young adults aged 18 to 35 from partner countries to live, travel, and work freely in the Netherlands for cultural exchange. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Proof Of Partner Country Citizenship, Proof Of Subsistence Funds WHS, Return Ticket Or Funds For Return, Health Insurance Netherlands WHS, Antecedents Certificate IND, Application Form IND Working Holiday, +1 more Official source |
| Schengen Visit (Schengenvisum / Visumvrij Kort Verblijf) | Varies | 3 months | Varies | Family ok | A short-stay visit permit allowing eligible nationalities up to 90 days in the Netherlands and the entire Schengen Area within any 180-day rolling period for tourism, business meetings, or family visits. Documents: Passport 3mo Validity Beyond Stay, Return Ticket Or Onward Travel, Proof Accommodation Netherlands, Travel Health Insurance Schengen 30k, Proof Of Funds Daily Subsistence NL, ETIAS Authorization From Late 2025 Official source |
| Family Reunification (Verblijf bij Familielid) | $2,440/mo | 3 years~12 wks processing 路 Renewable | $262 fee | Remote work ok, Family ok | A residence permit for spouses, registered partners, and minor children joining a Dutch citizen or legal resident in the Netherlands, subject to income and housing requirements. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Marriage Certificate Apostilled Translated, Birth Certificate Apostilled Translated, Sponsor Residence Permit Or Dutch Citizenship Proof, Sponsor Income Proof Bank Statements 12mo, Sponsor Housing Proof Rental Or Mortgage, Health Insurance Netherlands Family, +4 more Official source |
| Citizenship by Naturalization (Naturalisatie) | Varies | 9999 months~52 wks processing | $1,190 fee | Remote work ok, Family ok | Full Dutch citizenship granted by Royal Decree to long-term residents who meet residence, language, integration, and income requirements, generally requiring renunciation of prior citizenship. Documents: Passport Or Dutch Travel Document, Current VOT Or EU LTR Permit Copy, BRP Registration Certificate 5 Years, Inburgeringsdiploma Or Equivalent, Antecedents Certificate VOG And Police Records, Income Or Pension Self Sufficiency Proof, Renunciation Statement Or Exception Proof, +4 more Official source |
| Permanent Residence (Verblijfsvergunning Regulier voor Onbepaalde Tijd) | $1,525/mo | 9999 months~16 wks processing | $247 fee | Remote work ok, Family ok | Indefinite settlement permit for migrants who have completed five years of continuous legal residence in the Netherlands and civic integration requirements. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Current Residence Permit Copy, BRP Registration Certificate 5 Years, Income Proof Bank Statements And Steuerbescheid, Inburgering Exam Pass Or Exemption, Antecedents Certificate IND, Health Insurance Netherlands Continuous Proof, +3 more Official source |
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Which route is right for you?
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