The requirements for obtaining a residence permit in the Netherlands are as follows: a minimum investment of 1.25 million euros in a Dutch company or in a participation or seed fund. No substantive checks will be made for investments in a participation fund that is or becomes a member of the Netherlands Association of Participation Funds (NVP) or in a seed fund recognized by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy. Investments in Dutch companies are checked for the added value to the Dutch economy. This added value is deemed present if two of the following three criteria are met: first, at least 10 jobs are created within five years. Second, a contribution is made to increasing the Dutch company's innovative strength. This could take the form of publishing a patent, investing in innovation (either technological or non-technological), or investing in a company in a top-tier sector (agriculture and food, chemicals, creative industry, energy, high tech, logistics, horticulture, life science and health and water. The scheme does not cover investment in homes). Third, there is another form of non-financial added value, such as specific knowledge, networks, customers and active involvement by the investor. No check for added value will be made for investments in a participation fund that is or becomes a member of the Netherlands Association of Participation Funds (NVP) or in a seed fund recognized by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy. A check for money laundering or illegally obtained money is carried out by the Financial Intelligence Unit in the Netherlands, which also contacts the FIU in the country of origin. Investing in real estate for private occupation is excluded. The “added value” requirement is assessed through a primary (A) and a secondary (B) check. The primary check (A) should result in a positive outcome (‘Yes’) for each factor: the company is registered at the Dutch Chamber of Commerce; the investment is positive for the Dutch economy; the continuity of the company after the investment has been sufficiently proven. The secondary check should result in a positive outcome for at least two out of three factors: job creation; at least 10 FTE (applicant not included) within five years, of which 60 percent within the first three years; innovativeness. This is proven if at least one of the following aspects is present: The product or service is new for the Netherlands; new technology is used for production, distribution or marketing; there is an innovative organizational setup or method. For example: Activities that are promoted within the top sector policy of the Dutch government; self-developed, new products or services; original approach to energy saving; original approach to sustainability issues; smart and creative adjustments or combinations to the benefit of cross-sector applications; new product-market combinations; social innovation; introduction corporate social responsibility. This is present if there is active involvement of the investor as the founder/owner of the company for at least one of the following aspects: an educational degree at the master’s level (MSc, MBA, MA) or higher, with the education must be relevant for the company; a proven track record of at least five years of extensive entrepreneurship experience; a proven track record of at least five years of relevant work experience at a senior level; at least five trade partners or contractors are brought in.
