A workshop for queer and trans Americans who would like information about immigrating to the relatively safe haven of the Netherlands, a country that is consistently ranked at the top of world rule-of-law indices.

Jeremy Bierbach, a queer immigration lawyer qualified at the bar of Amsterdam, and himself an immigrant from the United States, will explain everything about the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (often called the “DAFT”), a treaty that makes it relatively easy for any US citizen to get a residence permit (a long-term visa) for the Netherlands for the purpose of being an entrepreneur (i.e. as a business owner or freelancer); a US citizen can also be joined by their spouse or partner, even if that person is not a US citizen and even if they are not married or legally partnered.

Immigrating this way also provides a path, after five years’ residence, to long-term resident status (i.e. a “green card” for the EU) and even citizenship. Subjects covered will include the immigration procedure itself, as well as issues relating to recognition of name and gender changes and the health care system. There will be plenty of time for Q&A.

Jeremy Bierbach (he/him) is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 2001, Jeremy emigrated to the Netherlands, where he studied law at the University of Amsterdam and became an attorney specialized in EU civil rights law and Dutch immigration and citizenship law. He lives with his husband in Zaandam, just outside Amsterdam.