Business routes
Pick a country. See the route.
Every route below needs a strong business plan. That is what we write.
All business routes at a glance
8 countries. 11 routes.
United Kingdom
Details below ↓Germany
Details below ↓Portugal
Details below ↓Spain
Details below ↓Ireland
Details below ↓France
Details below ↓Czech Republic
Details below ↓Netherlands
Self-employed residence permit · most non-EU nationalitiesThe test
RVO points: 30+ in each of 3 areas, or 45+ for experience and plan
Capital
No fixed amount. Your plan must show enough income
First permit
Up to 2 years
Decision
90 days by law, can be extended
Not sure which route fits? A clarity session maps your route, costs and timeline. The fee is deducted from your service fee if you become a client within 3 months.
How long is the first permit?
Years granted on the first approval
0123 yrs
Money you must show upfront
Minimum business capital set by the rules
€50,000Minimum
Ireland
€4,500Minimum
NL for Americans
None setFit to plan
NLUKDEPTESFR
"None set" still means you must prove you can live and run the business. Your plan carries that proof.
The Netherlands
Where our team lives and works. A small country with big doors: open to talent, built for business, and a gateway to the rest of Europe.
English widely spoken
Gateway to Europe
Home of innovation
Safe, green, built for bikes
Everything we do in the Netherlands
Study
Bachelor's, Master's and MBA. We handle the applications.
Self-employed permit
Business plan and full file, accountant included.
Start-up visa
For innovative founders working with a facilitator.
DAFT for Americans
US citizens skip the points test.
Register your business
KVK registration, trade name and VAT number.
Business plans
For banks, grants and investors.
Jobs and CV
A CV and a job radar for Dutch and remote roles.
Start here
A 30 or 60 minute clarity session.
Moving to the Netherlands from
Dubai · Abu DhabiSelf-employed or Start-up
Riyadh · JeddahSelf-employed permit
DohaStudy or Start-up
United StatesDAFT treaty route
How the Dutch permits work
The points test
The RVO scores three areas. Clear either bar to pass.
Experience = your background. Plan = your business plan. Value = what your business adds to the Netherlands. The plan is the part we control most.
Country guides
Read the guide for your country
Who each route is for, what the authorities ask for, how long it takes and how we help. Checked against official sources.
Netherlands
Netherlands · Business routeSelf-employed visa for the NetherlandsNetherlands · For US citizensDAFT visa: the Dutch-American Friendship TreatyNetherlands · Innovative start-upsStart-up visa for the Netherlands
United Kingdom
Rest of Europe
Germany · Business routeGermany self-employment visaPortugal · Business routePortugal D2 visa for entrepreneursSpain · Business routeSpain self-employed visa (cuenta propia)Ireland · Innovative start-upsIreland Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP)France · Business routeFrance entrepreneur visaCzech Republic · Business routeCzech Republic business visa
The process
What the journey looks like
Netherlands example. Other countries follow the same shape with their own authority.
1You + Ascend
Clarity session
A straight yes or no before you spend more.
2Ascend
Business plan
Built around the points the RVO scores.
3Accountant
Forecast
Three years of numbers, checked by an expert.
4Ascend + lawyer
Complete file
Every document checked. Legal review if you want it.
5You → IND
Submit
We answer any follow-up questions with you.
6You
Arrive
Register your address, your business and your bank.
Who does what, week by week
Typical timing. Your documents set the pace.
W1W2W3W4W5W6
IND decision · up to 90 days by law (about 13 weeks)
You
Gather documents
Submit
Ascend
Call
Business plan
File
Accountant
Forecast
Lawyeroptional
Legal review
RVO and IND
Points assessment and decision
Ascend
Call
Business plan
File
Accountant
Forecast
Lawyeroptional
Legal review
RVO and IND
Points assessment and decision
The IND can extend its 90 days by up to 6 months when it asks the RVO for advice.