Are there special rules for US, Japanese or Turkish nationals applying as self-employed?

Several nationalities benefit from treaty-based routes that bypass the standard points system. US and Japanese nationals can qualify under bilateral treaties, with American applicants commonly using the Dutch American Friendship Treaty (DAFT), which focuses on running a genuine business and meeting a minimum capital investment rather than scoring points.

Turkish citizens and long-term EU residents from another EU country are also assessed under more favourable rules. If you hold one of these nationalities, it is usually worth checking the treaty route first, because the requirements and evidence differ significantly from the points test.