Japanese citizens who wish to remain in the Netherlands for long periods of time, compatible with the purpose of working or studying in the country, will need to apply for a residence permit that suits their needs. In order to immigrate to the Netherlands from Japan, the Japanese national will need to obtain a residence permit.
In this article, our team of Netherlands immigration experts outlines the main process followed by those who relocate to the Netherlands from Japan.
The process can differ according to the purpose of the stay. Do keep in mind that the details offered herein should be used for informational purposes only. Japanese nationals who need personalized advice can reach out to our team.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Entry visa requirement (from EU) |
NO |
|
Entry visa requirement |
YES |
|
Types of visas available |
Short-stay visa (maximum 90 days in a 180-day period) Long-stay visa depending on purpose (study, work, business or family reunification) |
| Time frame for obtaining work visa (approx.) |
2 weeks when the employer is a recognized sponsor |
| Validity of temporary residence permit | maximum 5 years; usually depending on the work contract or study duration |
| Time frame for obtaining permanent residence (approx.) |
the decision time can be around 6 months |
| Investor Visa Availability |
YES |
| Sponsorship requirement | YES |
| Time frame for obtaining citizenship | 5 consecutive years |
| Citizenship/Residency by investment scheme availability | Residency by investment; citizenship can be obtained through naturalization |
| Tax benefits for expats | A 30% tax exemption for employees, under certain conditions |
Table of Contents
Obtain a visa to move to the Netherlands from Japan
Japanese citizens benefit from a somewhat simplified manner of entering the Netherlands due to the fact that, unlike other non-EU foreign nationals, they do not need a long-stay visa (the MVV). However, they will need to apply for a temporary residence permit that will suit their purpose of stay. The following situations are common for those who plan to immigrate to the Netherlands from Japan:
- Employment: a residence permit is needed for working in paid employment in the Netherlands; Japanese nationals can also apply for working in a high-level position, as a highly skilled migrant;
- Study: Japanese nationals admitted by a Dutch University or another educational institution remain in the country based on a residence permit for study purposes;
- Entrepreneurship: for Japanese nationals who can contribute to the Dutch economy by starting a business; the Netherlands Enterprise Agency is in charge of the programmes designed for foreign entrepreneurs; this can be a suitable way to immigrate to the Netherlands from Japan;
- Family reunification: when one of the spouses already lives in the Netherlands, the other spouse, who is a Japanese national, can apply for a residence permit; the scheme also extends to some family members.
The reason for which you choose to move to the Netherlands from Japan will determine the documents that are required for the residence permit application. Our team can help you gather the needed documents and prepare them as instructed by the Dutch Immigration and Naturalization Service.
If your purpose is to immigrate to the Netherlands from Japan, then a temporary stay will not suffice. You will need to become a permanent resident and, if desired, apply for Dutch citizenship once you fulfill the conditions for a minimum lawful stay in the country.
The Dutch–Japanese Trade Treaty
The Dutch-Japanese Trade Treaty is a convention that allows entrepreneurs from Japan to do business in the Netherlands. It effectively allows them to open a company and receive a valid residence permit. The following eligibility criteria apply to those who want to immigrate to the Netherlands from Japan based on this Treaty:
- Be a Japanese national;
- Invest a certain amount in the company to be incorporated in the Netherlands;
- Provide adequate proof of having registered the business within 6 months of receiving the approval to reside in the country under this Treaty. The verification is made by the Immigration and Naturalization Department (the IND), and the Japanese entrepreneur must provide proof that the company has been registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce.
Japanese investors are subject to more flexible requirements under the Dutch-Japanese Treaty starting on April 1st, 2024, under the temporary pilot/work process in regards to residence permits made under this scheme. Before this date, the applicant did not have the 6-month grace period to register the business.
The application procedure under the Trade Treaty can take approximately three months (this is the decision term offered by the IND). If you have questions about the investment you can make and other conditions, our Netherlands immigration agents can answer your questions.
Investment requirements for Japanese citizens who open a company in the Netherlands
As far as the minimum income requirements are concerned, the following apply under the Dutch-Japanese Trade Treaty:
- EUR 4,500 for the sole trader;
- EUR 4,500 for the general partnership, or 25% of the paid-in capital;
- EUR 11,250 in the case of a public limited company (which represents 25% of the paid-in capital requirement of EUR 45,000 for this business form).
Qualifying entrepreneurs who immigrate to the Netherlands from Japan under this scheme can reach out to our local experts for more information about the minimum investment amounts.
Proof of minimum investments is offered via justifying documents, such as bank statements or proof of in-kind contributions (where applicable and permissible for the chosen business form).
Please keep in mind that the amounts stated above, such as EUR 4,500, do not include the overall costs required to open a company in the Netherlands, but refer only to the minimum company capital investment. Other operating costs, such as office rental, equipment, and employee costs are also to be taken into account.
In addition to Japanese nationals, American citizens also benefit from a similar treaty signed between the Netherlands and the USA. Our Dutch immigration specialists can give you more information about the DAFT Treaty if you are an American citizen.
Frequently asked questions for investors who move to the Netherlands from Japan
Applying for a visa to relocate to the Netherlands from Japan under the Trade Treaty can be advantageous for some investors. Those who have additional questions about this can read out short list of frequently asked questions presented below. For more in-depth answers, you can get in touch with our experts in Netherlands immigration.
While processing times may vary, we recommend allowing a period of at least one month (or two in some cases) for the evaluation. The Immigration and Naturalization Department has a maximum decision period of three months.
The residence permit applied for under the Japanese-Dutch Treaty is valid for two years. The renewal is possible only if the initial conditions continue to be met.
Yes. As in the case of other types of residence permits in the Netherlands, if your application for a residence permit under the Dutch-Japanese Treaty is accepted, you can relocate to the Netherlands together with your partner or spouse and/or children (if this is the case).
Obtaining permanent residency for qualifying Japanese citizens
Permanent residence is obtained after a five-year stay in the country. This is often the goal for those who wish to relocate to the Netherlands from Japan, and it is also a natural step towards becoming a Dutch citizen, provided that the Japanese national wishes to take this step.
The conditions for obtaining permanent residence are the following:
- Minimum stay: the applicant must have had a lawful, uninterrupted stay in the country for at least 5 years before applying for the permanent residence permit;
- Registration: the Japanese national applying for Dutch permanent residence needs to be registered in the Municipal Personal Records Database;
- Means: one must prove that they have sufficient financial means (sustainable and independent income);
- Integration: civic integration is required; this is shown through a diploma attesting the fact that the holder can speak, read, and write and understand Dutch to a satisfactory degree;
- Others: the applicant must also show the temporary residence permit when applying for the permanent one.
Obtaining Dutch citizenship for Japanese nationals
Japanese citizens who have been living in the Netherlands for five years or more can start their application for obtaining Dutch citizenship with our help. In order to be eligible, one will also need to show proof of sufficient language knowledge, as well as meet other important criteria. The entire processing of the application can sometimes take several months or a year.
An important part of the process related to obtaining citizenship by naturalization in the Netherlands is the Civic Integration Exam. Two different requirements can be in place for these exams: according to the 2013 Civic Integration Act or according to the 2021 Integration Act.
For those who immigrate to the Netherlands from Japan in the near future, or those who have done so starting in 2021, our immigration experts in the Netherlands present some of the information applicable to the civic integration exam under the 2021 Act:
- The municipality prepares the personal integration and participation plan;
- The foreign national who decides to move to the Netherlands from Japan has 3 years to integrate from the time he/she receives the letter;
- The letter requiring the individual to integrate under the 2021 Civic Integration Act is received when he or she has a residence permit and has been registered with the municipality. The third condition to receive the integration letter is to have a citizen service number in the Netherlands;
- Several integration tracks are available, such as the education track (suitable for young people who will also be studying in the Netherlands, thus proving their integration) or the self-reliance track (based on one’s ability to attain language proficiency, among other criteria).
Our Dutch immigration lawyer can help you if you want to know more about the step-by-step process of civic integration. Alternatively, we can give you more details if you are pursuing the route for voluntary integration.
ange. We advise those interested to reach out to one of our immigration specialists in order to receive updated information.
We assist foreign nationals from Japan, the US, the UK, as well as many other countries who wish to relocate to the Netherlands for the purpose of study, employment, or starting a business.
If you want to know more about how to immigrate to the Netherlands from Japan, contact our team of immigration experts.