Build your company in the Netherlands with ongoing support.
ScaleGate supports eligible founders through Dutch Startup Visa facilitation within an active 12-month company-building engagement. The facilitator relationship and the work required to enter the market sit inside one plan.
This is not a stand-alone visa application service.
For eligible non-EU founders building an innovative company in the Netherlands.
The Dutch Startup Visa is a one-year residence route for qualifying founders. During that period, the founder works with an approved facilitator to develop the company.
- 01
An innovative product or service
- 02
A credible step-by-step plan
- 03
A signed facilitator relationship
- 04
Required Dutch business registration
- 05
Adequate financial resources to live in the Netherlands
RVO assesses the facilitator, innovation and step-by-step plan. IND assesses the application and makes the final permit decision.
Facilitation plus company-building.
- 01
Facilitator agreement and application coordination
- 02
A 12-month operating and development plan
- 03
Market validation and positioning
- 04
Dutch and European customer development
- 05
Partnerships, grants and investor readiness where relevant
- 06
Regular reviews of progress and next actions
From first conversation to company-building.
- 01
Eligibility conversation
Review the founder, company, innovation and intended Dutch market. - 02
Company review
Assess the evidence, plan, founder role and engagement fit. - 03
Engagement and facilitator agreement
Define the 12-month company-building work and formal relationship. - 04
Application preparation
Prepare the required plan and supporting material under current RVO and IND rules. - 05
Decision and company-building
IND makes the decision. If approved, the founder carries out the agreed work with ongoing support.
What this does not mean
- A permit is never guaranteed.
- ScaleGate does not make the immigration decision.
- The route does not automatically provide a right to work in other European countries.
- Government, registration, notary, translation and other third-party costs are separate. Do not publish amounts.
- Current official requirements always take precedence over website summaries.
Frequently asked
Who is the Dutch Startup Visa for?
It is intended for eligible founders from outside the EU who want to build an innovative company in the Netherlands and work with an approved facilitator.
Is ScaleGate offering a visa-only service?
No. Facilitation sits within an active 12-month ScaleGate engagement focused on building the company and entering the market.
Does ScaleGate guarantee approval?
No. RVO provides an assessment and IND makes the final decision.
What happens after one year?
The startup residence permit cannot be extended as a startup permit. A founder may apply for another residence route, including the self-employed route, if the applicable requirements are met.
How do I start?
Book an eligibility conversation or submit the Startup Visa application form for an initial review.