The Dutch-Japanese treaty permit, explained
A plain-language, sourced guide for Japanese nationals who want to live in the Netherlands and run their own business: what the IND confirms, and where other guides disagree.
- Fees and rules checked on ind.nl
- In English and Japanese
- Last checked October 2026
Key facts
- Minimum own capital
- €4,500
- IND application fee (2026)
- €423
- Statutory decision period
- Up to 90 days
- Entry visa (MVV)
- Not needed
Every guide, in one place
The whole route at a glance. Pick a topic, or read them in order from the DJFT guide.
What Is DJFT?
A plain-language, sourced guide to the Dutch residence permit for Japanese entrepreneurs under the 1912 treaty: requirements, costs and the €4,500 rule.
Requirements
What the Dutch-Japanese treaty route requires: Japanese nationality, KVK registration, the €4,500 capital rule (€11,250 for an NV), and the 6-month window.
How to Apply
How Japanese entrepreneurs apply for the Dutch treaty residence permit: no MVV needed, the €423 IND fee, the 90-day decision period and the 6-month KVK window.
Costs & Timeline
What the Dutch-Japanese treaty permit costs and how long it takes: the €423 IND fee, the €4,500 capital, the 90-day decision period and why some sites say €380.
Opening Balance Sheet
Why the €4,500 for the Dutch-Japanese treaty permit is equity, not a bank balance, what an opening balance sheet shows, and why it matters again at renewal.
Business Structure
Eenmanszaak or BV for your Dutch-Japanese treaty business: liability, bookkeeping, the €4,500 minimum for both, and what changes if you pick an NV.
Work Rights
What the Dutch-Japanese treaty permit lets you do: run your own business, when you need a work permit (TWV) as an employee, and why family can work freely.
Extension & Renewal
How to extend the Dutch-Japanese treaty permit: when to apply, the annual accounts the IND wants, the capital check, and why '5 years' isn't official.
Partner & Family
How your partner and children join you on the Dutch-Japanese treaty route: their own permits, the income test for self-employed sponsors, and work rights.
Moving from Japan
The Japanese paperwork before moving to the Netherlands: overseas residence registration, a tax representative, your national pension and social security.
DJFT vs DAFT
DJFT and DAFT side by side: the treaties, who qualifies, the €4,500 rule, IND fees and purpose codes, and the paperwork at home for Japanese and Americans.
How the process works
Check you meet the requirements
Japanese nationality, a business you'll register, and the €4,500 own-capital rule.
Apply and pay the IND fee
Currently €423, no MVV needed. The IND decides within 90 days.
Register with the KVK and invest €4,500
Within 6 months of your decision letter.
Renew with your annual accounts
The IND checks that the business was active and the capital stayed in.
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Why the opening balance sheet matters
The €4,500 rule sounds simple until you have to prove it, at application and again at every renewal. What counts is your business's equity, not its bank balance: a loan doesn't count, and debts reduce it. A clean opening balance sheet on day one makes the renewal a formality.
Common questions
How much money do I need for the Dutch-Japanese treaty permit?
The IND requires a minimum investment of €4,500 in your own business for a sole proprietorship, VOF, CV or BV, and €11,250 for an NV. It has to be equity: your own money, not a loan. On top of that comes the €423 IND application fee.
Do Japanese nationals need an MVV entry visa?
No. Japan is on the IND's list of nationalities that don't need a provisional residence permit (MVV). IND forms also list self-employment under the Dutch-Japanese trade treaty, purpose 510, as a route without an MVV.
How long does the application take?
The IND must decide within 90 days and can extend that by up to 6 months in specific cases. Some firms report 1 to 2 months in practice, but that's their experience, not a promise.
When do I have to register my business and invest the €4,500?
Within 6 months of the date on your decision letter, if you didn't already hold a Dutch residence permit. If you don't, the IND may revoke your permit.
From the blog
October 20, 2026
The 2024 Process Change
Since April 2024 the IND grants the Dutch-Japanese treaty permit before checking your business. What changed, the 6-month deadline, and what's still unclear.
October 20, 2026
Where DJFT Guides Disagree
Five points where Dutch-Japanese treaty permit guides contradict each other, from the fee to the extension length, checked against official sources.