StartDock Startup Visa Program
Building a startup is an adventure—exciting, challenging, and full of unexpected turns. But no founder should have to do it alone. That’s why we created the StartDock Startup Visa Program (SVP): to give international entrepreneurs a soft landing in the Netherlands and a community to grow with.
Joining StartDock isn’t just about getting a visa. It’s about stepping into a space where entrepreneurs lift each other up, share knowledge, and make things happen. From the moment you’re in, you become part of a like-minded crew of founders, mentors, and investors who get what it takes to build something great.
Your journey starts at our iconic Prins Hendrikkade location in Amsterdam, where you’ll work, connect, and get a feel for the Dutch startup scene. The first month is all about getting immersed—meeting your fellow founders, attending weekly sessions, and settling into the rhythm of the StartDock community. After that, you can choose to work from any of our locations in Amsterdam or Rotterdam, whichever fits your vibe.
We believe that growing a startup is a team sport. That’s why our program is packed with hands-on mentoring in weekly sessions, Peer2Peer sessions, and Startup Visa Pitch sessions where you’ll practice presenting your business to a jury. But more than that, it’s about the daily interactions—the coffee-break brainstorms, the spontaneous collaborations, and the “Hey, I know someone who can help with that!” moments that move your startup forward.
Waiting for your startup visa? We’ve got you.
If you’re still abroad while waiting for your visa decision (outside the EU), we won’t leave you hanging. You’ll get mentoring every 2-3 weeks to make sure you hit the ground running when you arrive. If you’re already in the Netherlands, you dive straight into the program—yes, also if you’re still waiting for the final visa approval. That means you’ll be meeting your peers, attending sessions, and integrating into the Dutch startup ecosystem from day one.
To truly benefit from the program, we expect you to show up, engage, and be part of the community. You’ll work at StartDock at least one full day per week, take part in the sessions, and contribute to the ecosystem. Around the 9-month mark, we’ll assess your progress, and if you’ve hit the right milestones, we’ll guide you in applying for a self-employed residence permit, so you can keep growing in the Netherlands.
The SVP fee is €500 (ex VAT) per month per founder, covering your flex desk, business registration, coaching, and full access to our network. We work on a prepayment basis, and there’s a one-month deposit (€500 per person, ex VAT) at the start. Need extra flexibility? 24/7 access is available for an additional fee.
StartDock is more than just a workspace—it’s a launchpad for founders who believe in the power of community, collaboration, and getting sh*t done. If that sounds like you, we’d love to have you on board.
Questions?
Curious to learn more about the Startdock Startup Visa Program? Feel free to get in touch with our Coordinator Wiegertje Groenveld!
E: svp@startdock.nl
T: +31655186935
Wiegertje Groenveld
Coordinator Startup Visa Program
Apply now and let’s build something amazing - together!
StartDock, Startup Visa Program (SVP) - Golden Rules:
You are part of the SVP Community, and you take a pro-active part in it:
- You work at least one whole day at the StartDock location Prins Hendrikkade/Amsterdam (PHK) every week.
- For the first month of the program, you will work at PHK.
- You will get the Visa Dockers onboarding at PHK.
- You are present, every week at the Weekly session, at PHK.
- You take part in the Monthly Peer2Peer sessions
- You will pitch at the Startup Visa Pitch sessions.
- You keep in touch through the WhatsApp channel (StartDock Startup Visa Program).
- You let us know in advance when you are temporarily not able to participate
- Your startup is domiciliated at PHK
- You have a flex desk: this means Mon-Fri 09:00-17:00 access to a desk in the flex space at your SD location. Extra access is possible: You pay a fee of €50 per month for 24/7 access.
- StartDock operates on a prepayment basis. Invoices must be paid in full before the start of the billed month in order to participate in the SVP. Late payment will suspend your participation. Continued non-payment will result in removal from the program and notification of this to the authorities.
- StartDock will invoice a one month deposit of €500 per participant together with the first monthly invoice.
- The SVP is for a full year, there are no possibilities to interrupt this program.
- For co-founders that are not in the Startup Visa Program:
- Occasionally at StartDock: They pay the daily fee of €10 directly to the Community Manager of the location
- Participating in the SVP: They pay the SVP light fee of € 150 per month, this includes 4 day passes and access to all SVP activities, but no mentoring.
- The co-founder can choose to rent a flex desk of their own.
Please note: All prices are ex 21% VAT
FAQ
Visit Welcome to NL for more information!
No, you need to sign the declaration stating that you intend to register within six weeks after your arrival in the Netherlands. If you do not register within 6 weeks, your visa can be withdrawn.
We ask you to prove that you can provide at least €25,000, either on your personal bank account or on the company account. This is to cover the required amount for the IND as well as the €500 monthly payments for the program.
Preferably in the (pre)seed phase.
Ideally, you have a functioning prototype, minimum viable product (MVP) or conducted pre-sales.
It is not possible to receive a discount with the Startup Visa Program.
A step-by-step business plan includes:
- a description of why your product or service is innovative, a description of which activities you as a starting entrepreneur will take in the first year to grow your business in the Netherlands
- the structure of the organization when applicable
- assigned roles and tasks (especially your role as an entrepreneur within the company) when applicable
- the legal form of the company
- division of shares
- make sure to always draw conclusions!
We advise you to emphasis your potential strengths:
- Level of innovativeness
- Potential market traction gathered in the Dutch economy (sales, launching customers, partnerships, Letters of intent)
- A validated value proposition and business model
- Sufficient financial means
- Market research (surveys, testimonials, partnerships etc.) and an analysis of the competition
Fill in the application form and don’t forget to check the requirements before filling in the form.
After comprehensive feedback on your step-by-step plan and modification, you are ready for the next step. Your will submit your application at the IND (via the relevant Dutch embassy or by sending them directly). a positive recommendation from de RVO is neccesary in order for the IND to make a final decision within a period of 6 months. When your application is granted you will be part of our StartDock Startup Visa Program and your journey will start! If you would like to apply for a Startup Visa with StartDock as a facilitator, then apply through the form.
When you want to apply for a startup visa and therefore a residence permit in the Netherlands, there are several conditions that apply. An overview of the startup visa conditions can be found here, while the general conditions can be found here. There are also conditions that apply to you as well as to StartDock, your facilitator. Please make sure to read through the conditions listed on the officials pages at the governmental bodies of the IND and the RVO before applying. See point above.