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Summer 2004 —
I was trying to figure out how to ask the Dutch government for a residence permit.
You have to specify one reason. There may be several, but they need it to be just one.
I had several options of differing applicability....
| Reason | Situation | Prospects |
|---|---|---|
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• Domestic partnership |
I loved Kim, and she loved me. | That's sweet, but she didn't earn enough money to support me.* |
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• Work |
If I were working, I couldn't tell about it, so it's not a story. I do have a work contract. We are waiting for CWI, the government employment agency, to "help look" for a European who can do the job for which I have the contract. When — I mean if* my prospective employer doesn't find anybody, I can apply for residence permit on the basis of my job. |
Prospects good. Update: Unsuccessful.
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• Independent businessperson (zelfstandig ondernemer) |
The Dutch government has a "friendship agreement" with the American government, which facilitates residence for people who want to operate a business in the country. Right or wrong aside, Americans have a unique opportunity to open business in Holland. You only need a relatively trifling amount of money, and your business must earn another rather trifling amount per month. You need a business plan. Then you can stay. Due warning [but if you don't know this then do not do business in Holland]: Nothing is that simple, in The Netherlands. |
Well, my website gets visitors every day — but not that many. Other than that, I haven't a product or service. |
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• Asylum |
I have a burning heart. I am a human being. Please don't send me back to the United States. They'll kill me back there, I swear they will. They will take my life, and call it something else. |
My country is not yet recognized as being completely fascist and anti-humanist. |
— 13 June, 2004
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Note: I left NL in January of 2005, when I moved [back] to Kilkenny Ireland.
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| Contact |
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* A domestic partnership in the Netherlands seems to be as valid as a marriage for the purpose of legal residency for a non-Dutch partner — but it's not more so. Whether married or not, the Dutch citizen has to be able to support his or her non-Dutch partner.
(This was true in the Summer of 2004, when I was inquiring.)
↑ Return to "sweet, but..."
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* The phrase "when — I mean if" is coy also because the Dutch word "als" means "when" and "if." Dutch people sometimes cross-position the English terms as though the difference were not noticeable.
↑ Return to "when — I mean if." ...
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I was training for a position in a small organic bakery. We applied for and received a temporary work permit. However, the conditions attached were too restrictive, and too much of a risk for my employer. In September of 2004, he decided not to pursue the matter any further.
↑ Return to "Prospects good" ...
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