DAFT – temporary procedure converted to (permanent) procedure for Treaty applications

On 1 April 2024, the IND introduced a new procedure for so-called Treaty applications. These include, for example, the Japanese-Dutch Trade Agreement and the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT).

The IND approval notices in these application procedures now include the following remark (translated from Dutch):

“In the case of applications for initial residence permits based on the operation of a business in which the foreign national has invested a substantial amount of capital or is in the process of doing so, and which they develop and manage, there is, in principle, no longer a prior check to determine whether the applicant meets the specific conditions. However, checks are carried out to ensure that the applicant meets the general conditions for residence. For example, that the applicant does not pose a threat to public order or national security. If, the IND thinks there are grounds for doing so, the applicant may be required to demonstrate in advance that they meet all the conditions. For applicants who wish to change the purpose of their residence permit to residence under the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty or the Japanese-Dutch Trade Agreement, nothing will therefore change.”

This appears to mean that the temporary procedure for applications under DAFT has become permanent.

Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions regarding the DAFT or Japanese-Dutch Trade Agreement application.