Self-Employed Residence Permit (points-scored)

Netherlands · for applicants from Nigeria

Verified · 22 June 2026

For entrepreneurs running their own business in the Netherlands long-term. Unlike the headline routes, this one IS scored: the RVO assesses three areas, personal experience, business plan, and added value to the Dutch economy, and you need at least 30 of 100 points in EACH. (Note: US/Japan nationals use a treaty exemption; that does NOT apply to Nigeria.)

Rules last verified: 22 June 2026 · by Elizabeth O

At a glance

Embassy processing

Assessed with RVO; up to 90 days

Our turnaround

5–7 working days

Done-for-you Standard

Government fees

~£1,322

≈ ₦2,417,938

Why applications get refused

Below 30 points in a category

Failed the 30-point minimum in one of the three areas.

Fix: Strengthen the weakest category to clear 30 in all three.

No essential Dutch interest

Business does not serve an essential Dutch interest.

Fix: Show clear economic added value to the Netherlands.

Document checklist

Required

Valid passport

When: "all"

Business plan (for RVO scoring)

When: "all"

Evidence of experience & qualifications

When: "all"

Financial statements / income evidence

When: "all"

KvK (Chamber of Commerce) registration

When: "on/after entry"

MVV (Nigeria is MVV-required)

When: "all"

Application timeline

1. Prepare your application

Gather documents, draft supporting letters, complete forms

1–3 weeks

2. Rekoja review (if Done-for-you)

Specialist checks your file before you submit

5–7 working days

3. Submit online or at visa centre

Biometrics appointment may be required

1 day

4. Embassy decision

Standard processing. Priority options may be available.

Assessed with RVO; up to 90 days

All-in government fees

These are the fees you pay to the government, not Rekoja's service fee. Shown at the indicative exchange rate.

Mandatory

Self-employed residence permit

£1,322

2,417,938

Total government fees

1,322

≈ ₦2,417,938

Indicative. 1 GBP = 1829 NGN · 2026-08-03. Government fees change. Confirm on the official website before paying.

What a free chatbot cannot do

A free AI can tell you the rules. Rekoja does the harder part: we verify them against the official government source, prepare the actual application file, catch what gets people refused, and a specialist checks everything before you submit. We stand behind our work.

  • Rules verified against the official source, with the date
  • Document checklist built for your specific profile
  • The inconsistency check that catches what gets people refused
  • A human reviews your complete file before submission

Know your real chances for this route

Free, in about a minute. Your eligibility, gaps, and the all-in cost estimate. No signup to see the score.

Check your chances free →

The assessment pre-selects Netherlands and the work route for you. You can adjust before you run it.

Common questions about the Self-Employed Residence Permit (points-scored)

Sourced answers to the most-searched questions about this corridor are being verified and will appear here. Start the free assessment or ask the desk directly.

Real outcomes

100% approved

Based on 12 reported outcomes across all Rekoja cases. This is a look back at past cases, not a prediction. The embassy decides; past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Prepare for the interview

Many work routes include an interview or credibility check. Done-for-you Premium includes a live interview-preparation session with a specialist: the questions officers actually ask on this route, practised with you before the real thing.

Preparation improves your readiness, not the decision. Practice, never a guarantee.

Related routes

Your crossing, done right.

Know exactly where you stand. Free, in about a minute. No signup to see your score.

Check your chances free →

Not a visa decision or legal advice. Rules shown are as of the last verification date above. Immigration rules change. Confirm before filing. The embassy decides, not Rekoja.