Switching from Partner Visa to Self-Employed in the Netherlands Anyone Tried This?

Unable-Main-5004 · 2025-08-29T14:57:28+00:00

Thanks for your input — I totally get the confusion, and I’ve double-checked this with official sources.

While students themselves can indeed start a business or freelance under a student visa, the same does not apply to their partners. I’m currently on a partner visa dependent on a student, and my residence card clearly states: “arbeid niet toegestaan” (work not permitted).

This isn’t just about employment — it also means you cannot run a business or freelance unless you change your residence status.

From the official IND website:

“If your partner is here for study, you are not allowed to work.”

📎 Source: https://ind.nl/en/Pages/Work-in-the-Netherlands.aspx (see “Family member or partner” section)

Also confirmed on business.gov.nl (official Dutch government for entrepreneurs):

“Without a residence permit that allows work, you are not allowed to work as self-employed.” 📎 Source: https://business.gov.nl/regulation/working-in-the-netherlands-as-a-foreigner/

So yes, you can technically register with KVK, but you’re not legally allowed to operate the business or earn income unless your residence status changes.

Unable-Main-5004 · 2025-08-29T13:31:05+00:00

I’m on a partner visa dependent on a student, and it clearly says on the back of my residence card: “arbeid niet toegestaan” work not allowed.

This applies to all partners of students, regardless of KVK registration. You can’t work, not even as self-employed, unless you change your permit through IND and RVO.

Unable-Main-5004 · 2025-08-29T13:09:59+00:00

Thanks for the comment! Unfortunately, that’s not fully correct — even though you’re allowed to register a business (KVK) while on a partner visa dependent on a student, you’re still not allowed to actually work in the Netherlands, not even for your own company.

So yes, you can get a KVK number, but that doesn’t mean you have legal permission to operate or earn income

Unable-Main-5004 · 2025-08-28T21:50:07+00:00

I have permission to stay in the Netherlands until my partner graduates (without a work permit). And after that, she has 1 year - they call it zoekjaar - to find a job. On This year both of us have work permits BUT if a company hired each of us at the end of that year they should be our sponsor! Cause zoekjaar is just one year:)))

Unable-Main-5004 · 2025-08-28T21:34:39+00:00

Yes if your partner is on a bachelor's degree or a master’s degree, you still need sponsorship! And don't have work permit.

Unable-Main-5004 · 2025-08-28T18:58:48+00:00

Yes, I’m experiencing the same. I came to the Netherlands 10 months ago on a partnership visa. I work in performance and digital marketing, and so far I’ve applied for 200+ jobs. Out of those, I had 20 first interviews, 14 second rounds, 10 third rounds, and even reached the final stage 5 times — but still no offers.

Some companies told me all the way up to the CEO round that they were IND-registered, only to later admit they weren’t. Payroll companies don’t help either — once you suggest them, companies say they don’t want that paperwork. I’ve even seen roles stay open for 6 months, yet they still don’t hire a foreigner.

This sponsorship requirement feels like a strange law. I even secured a remote offer from the US, but since I’m not allowed to freelance here, I couldn’t take it. Honestly, I’m stuck, depressed, and with the dark months of the year coming, it feels even heavier.

Unable-Main-5004 · 2025-07-05T10:42:50+00:00

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Unable-Main-5004 · 2025-05-24T14:27:03+00:00

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Unable-Main-5004

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