Cooperating with HollandHouse and therefore the first steps towards ‘business’ in the US starts with a thorough intake in the Netherlands. So you don’t always have to immediately board a plane to meet us (but you are more than welcome of course). Our Dutch colleague, Bob van Leur, is happy to visit you at the office to explain how we can help you and what possible next steps look like to really start working together.
Based on this visit, we at HollandHouse can make a good estimate of the required time, planning, documentation and expertise needed. Good preparation is half the battle. A proactive, local approach to help you as a Dutch company on your way to the US.This sustainable approach means that as a Dutch company you can manage your time and costs effectively versus a lot of travel, in the start-up, with not always a positive return.
Growth in the US, for Dutch companies, starts in the Netherlands
Frequently asked questions:
How long are we (obligated) to work with HollandHouse?
Within HollandHouse we have a flexible approach. If you opt for a subscription, you can simply cancel it, just as with all subscriptions, after the term that we have agreed upon together. In addition, as HollandHouse we are committed to guiding our Dutch customers towards fully-owned and local management in the US within 3 years.
How and why will HollandHouse manage our American bank account?
We at HollandHouse fully understand any skepticism about putting your American bank account in the hands of others. However, your finances are safe with HollandHouse. Based on IT developments within the banking sector, it is easy to use 2-step authentication for payments, for example.
As a Dutch shareholder, you can only prepare a payment in the American system. We, the local director (HollandHouse) can then only pay. One cannot be used without the other for a payment and each other’s powers cannot be used. In other words, HH cannot prepare a payment and pay itself. Since the final payment then ‘takes place’ in the US, this is an important step in confirming a separate legal entity with regard to, for example, liability. Some companies need or want to (rightly) keep these responsibilities in the US separate from the parent company in the Netherlands.
Do I have to apply for a visa immediately?
Whether or not you want to start the visa application process immediately depends mainly on whether you yourself (or a Dutch colleague) plan to take up a management position at your company in the US in the long term.
If so, we can put you directly in touch with our partner in that area “SMA Law”, a local lawyer specialized in visa applications, for advice. This requires a reasonable amount of time and documentation. An advantage is that in the meantime, we as HollandHouse can fulfill this function for you until the papers have been approved
Can HollandHouse also look for a successor for full-time management?
Of course. We believe it is one of our important management tasks to find a good successor who can take over our activities locally. We will find the right person for you in the Dutch or American market by using a local search specialist. Our partner in the United States is the Dutch-speaking VDB.
Director or management?
If you choose to have a Dutch shareholder hold a directorship at an American (subsidiary) entity, this is not a problem, but this person may only have a supervisory and advisory role. The daily management tasks must be set up locally by an authorized manager. The foregoing may mean that you have to officially appoint a colleague, with the correct visa, as ‘General Manager’ in the US. Of course, you can also appoint an American manager for daily management, but this sometimes raises other issues.
Can I easily arrange all kinds of matters locally in the US myself?
Dat ligt meer aan de bevoegdheden / papieren die u bezit dan aan de benodigde inzet. Amerikaanse autoriteiten zijn zeer zwart/wit ten aanzien van de formeel te maken stappen in hun land. Er is geen grijs. En voor alle helderheid, de Amerikaanse autoriteiten zullen u met open armen ontvangen maar kijken niet licht op onjuist gebruik van papieren. Tekent u bijvoorbeeld een lokaal contract op basis van onjuiste bevoegdheden kunnen ze u 10 jaar de toegang tot de VS ontzeggen. Goed voorbereiden dus.
