[dwightgunning]

This is lame though to be fair to NZ I've come across similar requirements in other countries too.

Over the years I've happened to be invited to discussions with policy makers in both The Netherlands (2013) and Australia (2016) and as far as I know they came up with similar policies. Further back I recall taking a look at Germany (~2012) and it was also onerous.

The main takeaway I had was that constructing a set of fair requirements that can be effectively assessed/enforced is nigh impossible. Entrepreneurs should be vocal and advocate for changes that improve the system but ultimately play the cards that are dealt and stay focussed on the company mission.

[cr1895]

For what it's worth, it's relatively simple for an American to open a business and gain residency in the Netherlands through the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty.

[beagle3]

But unless things have changed considerably in the last 5 years, that American will suffer greatly at the hands of the American tax system, which treats any American owned and managed asset outside the US as a tax evasion scheme.

[dwightgunning]

That's true and definitely worth noting. In NL it is a very easy path compared to the one non-US citizens need to navigate.