If you’ve read more than one DAFT guide online, you’ve probably noticed they don’t quite agree on how fast the process is right now. Some say a few weeks. Some say a few months. Here’s what we could actually confirm, and, just as importantly, what we couldn’t.
What’s confirmed, directly from the IND
- The IND’s statutory decision period is up to 90 days, extendable by up to 6 months in specific cases.
- Since around April 2024, first-time DAFT applicants without a prior Dutch residence permit must register with the KVK and make their €4,500 investment within 6 months of the date on their decision letter, or risk having the permit revoked.
Both of these come straight from ind.nl. See Requirements and Costs and timeline for the full detail and sourcing.
What several firms describe, but the IND doesn’t spell out
A number of immigration and tax firms describe a lighter review process at the first-application stage. In short, the IND checks for red flags but doesn’t fully verify every DAFT-specific requirement before granting the permit, leaving the detailed check for later. Some call this a “pilot.”
One law firm, Everaert Advocaten, wrote in October 2025 that this “temporary procedure will remain in effect until April 1, 2026,” after which the IND would evaluate it. As of October 2026, ind.nl still describes the same procedure, with no end date, so it appears to still apply. Check ind.nl before you plan around it.
Why this matters if you’re planning your move
If you’re budgeting your timeline around a specific number of weeks, don’t anchor to the shortest estimate you find online. Plan around the confirmed 90-day maximum, and treat any faster outcome as a pleasant surprise rather than something to count on, especially since this lighter-review process could change with no public notice.
The honest summary
We don’t know exactly how long the current, faster process will last. We do know the legal maximum, and we know what’s required of you regardless of how fast your specific application moves: register with the KVK, invest the €4,500, and keep good enough records that you can prove it later. That last part is where a bookkeeper actually helps.