Nina & Jesse(28)

Jesse and I both worked in the creative industry in Eindhoven -- him as a graphic designer, me as a social media strategist. We had been dreaming of Los Angeles for years: the sun, the creative energy, Hollywood. When we discovered the DAFT visa, we knew it was possible. The Dutch American Friendship Treaty from 1956 gives Dutch citizens the right to start a business in the US with a minimum investment of just $4,500. Compare that to the E-2 visa that requires tens to hundreds of thousands.

We filed the DAFT application from within the US on a B-1/B-2 tourist visa. You need to submit an application to USCIS with a business plan, proof of your investment in a US bank account and a lease for a business address. We rented a small office in a coworking space in Silver Lake for $800 per month, which counted as our business address. The entire process took four months and cost us $3,500 in legal fees on top of the investment. Our immigration attorney specialized in DAFT and that made a world of difference.

Our creative agency "Dutch Wave" focuses on branding for European companies entering the American market. It sounds niche, but there's surprisingly high demand. We found our first client at a networking event in Downtown LA. In the first year we generated $65,000 in revenue -- not enough to get rich, but enough to maintain the visa and cover our costs. The DAFT visa requires your business to be "not marginal," so you need to demonstrate serious business activity.

Life in LA is expensive but different than you'd think. We rent a one-bedroom apartment in Echo Park for $2,200 per month. That's a lot, but comparable to Amsterdam. The big difference is in healthcare costs: we pay $580 per month for a marketplace plan through Covered California, with a deductible of $3,000 per person. As a DAFT entrepreneur you don't have an employer contributing. Car costs are also significant: two cars are essential in LA, and gas, insurance and parking together cost $700 per month.

Integration in LA was easier than expected. The city is so diverse that everyone is a foreigner. We have friends from Mexico, Korea, Brazil and Iran. The Dutch community in LA is small but tight-knit -- there's a Dutch Business Council and an annual King's Day party in Santa Monica. What struck us most: Americans react enthusiastically to the fact that we're Dutch. "Oh you're Dutch? I love Amsterdam!" we hear weekly. It opens doors.

After two years we're renewing our DAFT visa for another two years. The renewal process is simpler than the initial application, but you need to demonstrate that your business is growing. Our long-term plan is to apply for a green card, but from DAFT that's tricky -- you need an employer to sponsor or you must find another visa category. Some DAFT entrepreneurs transition to an E-2 or EB-5 as their business grows. Our advice to young Dutch people: the DAFT visa is a unique opportunity. For $4,500 you can make your American dream real. But prepare yourself: it's hard work, healthcare costs are high and you're on your own. But the experience is priceless.