The corona crisis affects the way the IND works. And perhaps also your personal situation. This may have consequences for your application or stay in the Netherlands. On this page you can find the latest information about these consequences.
Please note: on 13 October 2020, the government announced new corona measures. These measures have no consequences for the appointments made at the IND desk. If you have an appointment at the IND desk, it will continue as usual.
It is possible that you receive a letter containing different information. Always follow the information that you read on this page. This is the latest information.
Did you receive a letter about collecting your residence document, or about it being delivered at home? Please check the frequently asked questions under IND desks, expat centers and residence documents. Are you a UK national (or family member)? Read more about your residence document under Brexit.
Below you can find answers to important questions about the consequences for your application or stay in the Netherlands. Those answers may change if the situation surrounding the coronavirus changes. This page will be updated as new information becomes available.
Last updated: 13 October 2020 - IND desks, expat centers and residence documents (appointments will continue)
Last updated: 13 October 2020
Below you will find information about the following subjects (in this order):
Delivering residence documents at home
Making an appointment at an IND desk or expat center
Visiting an IND desk
Please note: are you a UK national (or family member)? Read more about your residence document under the heading Brexit.
The IND sends you a letter if your residence document will be delivered at home. You will only receive a letter if you:
did a follow-up application. This means that you had a residence document from the IND before;
paid the costs for the application (fees);
don't have an asylum residence permit.
Have you not received a letter about delivering your residence document at home? Then you will receive a letter inviting you to make an appointment at an IND desk or expat center to collect your residence document. (Read more under 'Making an appointment at an IND desk or expat center' below).
You will receive your residence document within 8 weeks after the letter has been sent. You can check in the PostNL app when mail is on its way. Download the PostNL app and sign up for 'My Post'. With this service you will be notified before 7am every morning when mail is on the way. For more information about My Post, please visit the PostNL website (only in Dutch, opens in new window).
If you are not home, PostNL will try to deliver it again later. Are you not at home? Then the deliverer takes the package to a PostNL service point in your area. Your package will not be delivered to the neighbors. The deliverer puts a letter in your mailbox with a 'niet-thuiscode'. With this code you can check online where your package has been taken. If you pick up your package at the PostNL service point, you must show your ID there. You may only pick up the package yourself. More information can be found on the PostNL website (opens in new window).
Your package will remain at the PostNL service point for 1 week. PostNL then returns the package to the IND. Has your package been returned to the IND? Then you must make an appointment to collect the residence document at an IND desk. Call the information line (088 043 0430) to make an appointment. It can take a while before your residence document is returned to the IND.
For safety, we send the package by registered mail. This means that we receive proof when the package has been sent and received. Only you personally may receive the package. Therefore, you must show proof of identity at the door. This is a passport, a European identity card, a Dutch driving license or an alien document. You must also sign a receipt. Due to the corona measures, this is slightly different than normal. This ensures that the residence document arrives at the right address.
The appointment remains. If we see that you already have an appointment, we will call you. You can then let us know how you want to receive your residence document.
If you urgently need the residence document, you can call the information line: 088 043 0430. Please indicate to the employee why you urgently need the residence document. They will then contact the IND desk where your residence document is located.
Yes, you can make an appointment online if you have received a letter inviting you to:
It is not possible to make these appointments by phone. Please only call our information line in case of emergencies. Click here to find the phone number.
To collect a residence endorsement sticker or apply for a return visa, you can schedule an appointment by phone.
Please note: this does not yet apply to appointments relating to an application for verification against EU law. This is an application for a family member of an EU/EEA citizen or Swiss citizen, or for a parent of a minor Dutch child. Does this apply to you? Then you cannot make an appointment yet. If this is possible again, you can read it here.
It is currently very busy at the IND desks due to the corona crisis. Therefore, it may happen that there are no available days at the desk you choose. You can check the online schedule regularly to see if a new date opened up. Every day, new dates open up at the IND desks, because appointments are being cancelled.
Does the letter about collecting your residence document state that you must collect this within a certain time? You may not be able to do that within this time. Your residence document will remain at the IND desk until you have an appointment to collect it.
Only in case of emergencies, you can call our information line. Click here to find the phone number.
Yes, because of the coronavirus measures, you must make an appointment to visit an expat center. See the list of contact details of the expat centers to make an appointment.
You only need to have your biometrics taken if you are submitting an application to the IND for the first time. In the confirmation of receipt we ask you to make an appointment for this at the IND desk. With each next application, we check in our system whether we already have biometric data from you. We can often reuse that data. Can't we use the old biometric data? Then you will receive a letter to make an appointment at the IND desk.
Yes, you have the rights associated with your residence permit, even without your residence document. You may continue to work if your residence permit permits you to work. Your residence permit rights are in the letter with the decision on your application. Do you have a recognised sponsor? Then your sponsor received this letter.
What if you have not received a decision on your application? Or if you want to collect a residence sticker for another reason? If you have the right to stay in the Netherlands, then this right of residence also applies without the sticker. You may work if you have this right. The residence sticker is usually proof of this right, but due to the measures not everyone has been able to collect it yet.
The IND has designed all desks differently to comply with the rules and recommendations of the government. The IND has:
placed plexiglass screens on all counters;
made walking routes in the waiting areas. These are indicated by stickers and signs;
placed hand disinfectant;
adjusted the layout of the waiting areas, making it possible to keep a distance of 1.5 meters.
When visiting an IND desk, the following applies:
Stay home if you have symptoms of a cold (such as stuffy nose, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat), coughing, breathlessness, or (mild) fever.
Do not bring anyone else, come by yourself as much as possible.
Be there at the agreed time. In other words: not too early or too late. Are you more than 5 minutes early? Please wait outside.
Upon entry, clean your hands with hand disinfectant.
Wear a face mask inside the building. This applies to every person aged 13 years or over. More information about the wearing of face masks in indoor public spaces (opens in new window).
Keep 1.5 meters (2 arm lengths) distance from others.
Pay with your debit card (pin).
Last updated: 26 August 2020
Question 1 - text changed, meaning unchanged
Question 4 - instructions for Health Screening form and self-quarantine
Question 5 and 6 - traveling via Schiphol airport to other countries
An entry ban applies to persons traveling to the Netherlands from countries outside Europe. Europe means: EU countries, Schengen countries and the United Kingdom. Since 1 July 2020, the entry ban has been less strict. This has been agreed by the countries of the EU. This means in short:
For long-distance relationships, an exception to the entry ban applies from 27 July 2020. Your partner may come to the Netherlands for a short stay visit if you and your partner meet the conditions. This exception only applies to you if you have Dutch nationality or are an EU/EEA citizen. Read all conditions on Government.nl (opens in new window). There you will also read where you can go with questions about this scheme.
Please note: Does your partner have a visa requirement? Then your partner must always apply for a short-stay visa at the Dutch embassy or consulate (opens in new window). In that case, please do not ask the IND for advice on whether you meet the conditions. The IND cannot issue a visa. Even if the embassy or consulate is closed. For questions about the visa application, please contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (opens in new window).
For partners from countries for which the entry ban does not apply, the normal conditions for entry and residence apply.
From 1 July 2020, you may enter the Netherlands again if you live in one of the countries to which the entry ban does not apply. Do you live in a country to which the entry ban does apply? For example the United States? Then you may, as a person exempted from the mvv requirement, only travel to the Netherlands if you have a vital function or need. This is the case if you have received a letter from the IND (kennisgeving) stating that you will receive a residence permit as:
Does this apply to you? Then your flight to the Netherlands must be direct (no transit). You must bring the following documents with you when traveling to the Netherlands:
Is the airline not allowing you on the flight because they don't find the letter (kennisgeving) enough evidence? Please contact the Royal Netherlands Marechausse. The phone number is 0800 1814. If you are calling from abroad +31 88 958 1814.
Anyone aged 13 years and over flying from or to the Netherlands must fill in a Health Screening Form. Do you report on the form that you have symptoms that could be related to COVID-19? Then you will not be allowed on the flight. You can download and print the Health Screening Form from the website of the Dutch government. Or read more about traveling to the Netherlands (opens in new window).
The website of the Dutch government also contains information about self-quarantine upon arrival in the Netherlands (opens in new window).
You may make a stopover (transit) from a country outside Europe, via Schiphol airport, to another country outside Europe. Europe here means: EU countries, Schengen countries and the United Kingdom. You must meet the following conditions:
You will not get access to the Netherlands during a transit. You are not allowed to leave the international transit area of the airport.
Not in all cases. Entry rules may vary from country to country. Each Schengen country decides for itself exactly how the entry ban is applied. Therefore, before you travel, check whether the rules for access to the Netherlands differ from the rules for access to the other Schengen country. Are the rules in the other Schengen country less strict? Then the advice is to fly directly to that country, without transferring at Schiphol.
No, traveling with an expired residence permit is not possible. Under the heading Residence permit you can read what to do if your residence permit is no longer valid.
Last updated: 14 September 2020 - question 4 and 6
In countries where there is no longer an entry ban, the Netherlands will again issue visas if possible. This depends on the local situation in that country. Read more about visas in the Q&A on netherlandsandyou.nl (opens in new window). In case you cannot find the information there, please contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Click here to find their contact details (opens in new window).
Read more about visas in the Q&A on netherlandsandyou.nl (opens in new window). In case you cannot find the information there, please contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Click here to find their contact details (opens in new window).
You can apply for an extension of your short-stay visa if you cannot return to your country of origin. The following situation must apply to you:
Your visa has expired or expires within 1 month; and
The airline has cancelled your flight. Or you had not booked a flight yet. You cannot book a (new) flight; and
You still meet the conditions for a short-stay visa .
Would you like to apply for a visa extension? Please call the IND's information line. Click here to find the phone number. Keep your visa number and passport to hand.
Is the IND going to renew your visa? Then you will not immediately have a visa sticker placed in your passport. You will receive a letter of confirmation. This visa extension is only valid within the Netherlands. You cannot travel to other Schengen countries. An application for extending your visa is free.
The total stay with a visa may never exceed 180 days. It is not possible to extend longer than 180 days. If your right of residence expires, the government expects you to try to return. Do you need help to return? Please contact your country's embassy or consulate in the Netherlands (opens in new window). Extension due to corona does not count in the calculation of the total stay. This means that you do not have to wait 90 days outside the Netherlands (Schengen) before you re-enter the Netherlands with a visa. Do you not return home even though there are already opportunities to do so? Then you can get an entry ban from the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee when you leave. Unless you can prove that earlier departure was not possible.
If you now extend your short-stay visa, it is only valid in the Netherlands. However, you may travel to an airport in another Schengen country to take a flight to your country of origin. You are not allowed to stay in another Schengen country with your extended visa.
You cannot apply for an extension of a permit-exempt term. This is the period of 90 days out of 180 days that you may stay in the Netherlands (and the Schengen area). Is your permit-exempt term about to expire and you cannot leave? You do not need to report this to the IND. The Dutch government understands that it may be more difficult to return during this period. The government will therefore be less strict in controlling people who stay longer than is allowed. But the government does expect you to try to return when your right of residence expires. Do you not return home even though there are already opportunities to do so? Then you can get an entry ban from the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee when you leave. Unless you can prove that earlier departure was not possible. Do you need help to return home? Please contact your country's embassy or consulate in the Netherlands (opens in new window).
Since Thursday 19 March 2020, an entry ban applies to many people from countries outside Europe. Europe means: EU countries, Schengen countries and the United Kingdom. The travel restriction does not apply to everyone. Since 1 July 2020, there is no longer an entry ban for a number of countries. Are you a resident of a country for which the entry ban does not apply? Or if is your travel essential? Then you can travel to the Netherlands. For more information on the entry ban and exceptions, visit netherlandsandyou.nl (opens in a new window).
You can apply for a visa extension from the IND. Please call the IND's information line. Click here to find the phone number.
Last updated: 12 August 2020 - question 7 (exemption collecting mvv, documents to bring to the appointment)
With a valid mvv you will have access to the Netherlands, or another Schengen country. Keep in mind that in many places traveling is not possible or is not recommended. For more information about access to the Netherlands visit netherlandsandyou.nl (opens in a new window).
You can request an mvv. The IND is continuing to handle applications. Keep in mind that it can take longer before you can collect the mvv. And that your situation may change due to the measures. As a result, you may no longer meet the conditions for obtaining an mvv. Not sure if you still meet the conditions in the future? The IND advises you not to apply for an mvv (yet).
That differs per embassy. Some embassies and consulates are open or will reopen (in part). These had been closed in recent months due to the coronavirus. More information is available on the website netherlandsandyou.nl (opens in new window).
Some people can make an appointment to collect the mvv sooner than others. You will possibly have priority if you belong to one of the exception categories of the EU entry ban (opens in new window). For example if you are a family member of a Dutch citizen. Or if you have an essential function or need. Highly skilled migrants and students are also given priority.
Not all embassies can open yet. This is due to the local situation. Is your embassy still closed? Foreign Affairs will then only issue an mvv if you fall under an exception category of the EU entry ban (opens in new window). Or if you need an mvv with exceptional urgency. And if the local situation allows it. This differs per embassy. It is still possible that you cannot pick up an mvv yet. The IND will only consider your case urgent if you meet these three criteria:
You can prove that you can travel to the Netherlands at this time. This means that there are no physical restrictions and that the borders are open. Flights are departing from your country to the Netherlands.
Your work or research comes under the vital professions.
You need to explain why your case is urgent. And you have to prove that this urgency relates to a vital profession.
If you meet all three criteria, ask your employer to contact the IND. The IND will then determine whether the case is indeed urgent.
You normally have 3 months to collect your mvv. This has been extended to 6 months because of the corona crisis. What if it is not possible to collect your mvv within 6 months due to the coronavirus measures? The embassy or consulate will handle your case flexibly if you collect the mvv within 3 months following those 6 months. Please make an appointment when this is possible again. At your appointment, you must explain that you could not pick up your mvv sooner because of the corona crisis.
Please check netherlandsandyou.nl (opens in new window) to find out when you can make an appointment at the embassy or consulate.
Will you be able to travel to the Netherlands soon? But is your mvv no longer valid? You can make a new appointment as soon as the embassy or consulate reopens. This appointment has to take place within 90 days after your current mvv expires. At the appointment you will have to explain that you could not travel with your mvv because of the measures. The embassy or consulate will then reissue your mvv.
Has it been more than 90 days since your mvv expired? Then the embassy or consulate cannot just reissue the mvv. You must then make a new application first. This can be done in the same way as you made the previous application. You have to pay for the new application as well. Have you received a positive decision on the new application? Then make an appointment to collect your new mvv from the embassy or consulate.
Normally you have to travel back to collect your mvv. The IND understands that it is sometimes not possible to collect the mvv now, because you are unable tot travel due to the corona crisis. Therefore, an exception is made if you meet the following 5 conditions:
Do all 5 conditions apply to you? Then you do not have to collect the mvv. You can make an appointment by phone to visit an IND desk. You can no longer make an appointment for this online.
Please bring along to the appointment at the IND desk:
Do you not meet the 5 conditions? Then you must collect your mvv in the country of origin or continuous residence, when this is possible again. You cannot collect your mvv in the Netherlands. For more information about collecting an mvv, visit netherlandsandyou.nl (opens in new window).
This is only allowed in special cases. Since it is very busy at embassies and consulates that are open again. The following situation should apply to you:
The IND must give permission to collect your mvv from another embassy. Therefore call your contact person at the IND. You can find the phone number in the letter from the IND stating that you will receive an mvv. The contact person will then check whether your case is urgent. And whether there is room at the embassy in the neighboring country. Do you get permission? Only then you can make an appointment at the embassy to collect your mvv.
Do you want to come to the Netherlands as a student? Then your Dutch educational institution must contact the IND about changing the embassy. Read more about this under the heading Employer, educational or research institution.
At some embassies it is possible again to take exams. Has your exam or the exam of your spouse been canceled? Then you will be notified as soon as it is possible to make an appointment. More information about the possibilities to take the civic integration exam abroad can be found at netherlandsandyou.nl (opens in new window). General information about the civic integration examination abroad can be found at naarnederland.nl (opens in new window).
Last updated: 2 September 2020
EU - question 1, written application for verification against EU law (family member of EU/EEA or Swiss citizen)
The information below is divided into a general part and parts with additional information about a specific purpose of stay.
With a residence permit, you may only be abroad for a certain period of time. How long you may stay outside the Netherlands depends on which residence permit you have. Read more about this on the page 'Main residence in the Netherlands'. Are you unable to travel back to the Netherlands in time due to the measures against corona? If you can explain that this is not your fault, there will be no consequences for your residence permit. This also does not affect future applications. For example, if you want to apply for a permanent residence permit or naturalisation.
Do you require a visa to stay in the Netherlands because of your nationality? You then need an entry visa to travel back to the Netherlands without a valid residence permit. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs temporarily only issues entry visas for urgent cases. This means that you can only apply for an entry visa if you come under the exception categories to the entry ban (opens in new window). Does this apply to you? Then please contact the Ministry of Foreign affairs. Click here to find their contact details (opens in new window).
What if the exception categories do not apply to you? When the Ministry of Foreign Affairs starts to issue entry visas again, more information will be available on their page 'Residence permit lost, stolen or expired abroad' (opens in new window).
You can also extend a residence permit at the IND from abroad. Please do this before your residence permit expires. If you submit the application after your residence permit has expired, you may then have a residence gap. What if you cannot submit certain documents (on time) because of the measures against the coronavirus? The IND will be flexible in handling such cases. You can enter the Netherlands again if you have an entry visa.
Yes, you have the rights associated with your residence permit, even without your residence document. You may continue to work if your residence permit permits you to work. Your residence permit rights are in the letter with the decision on your application. Do you have a recognised sponsor? Then your sponsor received this letter.
What if you have not received a decision on your application? Or if you want to collect a residence sticker for another reason? If you have the right to stay in the Netherlands, then this right of residence also applies without the sticker. You may work if you have this right. The residence sticker is usually proof of this right, but cannot be provided due to the current measures.
Request an extension of your residence document if this is possible. What if an extension is not possible? Then you have to leave the Netherlands, if possible. The Dutch government understands that it may be more difficult to return during this period. The government will therefore be less strict in controlling people who stay longer than is allowed. But the government does expect you to try to return when your right of residence expires. Do you need help to return home? Please contact your country's embassy or consulate in the Netherlands (opens in new window).
You can apply for a permanent asylum residence permit as usual. Do you not have an integration diploma because of the measures against the coronavirus? The result letter from DUO is temporarily sufficient proof that you have obtained an integration diploma. DUO is also sending diplomas via registered post. You can find more information on the DUO website.
Normally, the TB test must have been done within 3 months after the residence permit is granted. What if this is not possible within 3 months, because the GGD is temporarily not testing on tuberculosis? Because of the measures against the coronavirus, the IND is flexible in handling such cases. Make an appointment with the GGD as soon as possible, when this is possible again. Do you want to know if you can undergo a TB test (again)? Then please check the GGD website in your region, via ggd.nl (opens in new window).
You can temporarily not submit an application at an IND desk. Legally, you can continue to live in the Netherlands if you meet the conditions. This is also the case if you do not have a residence sticker in your passport. Find out what these conditions are. At the moment it is not necessary to submit an application. What if you are asked to prove your right of residence? If you explain the situation, the Royal Marechaussee and police will be flexible in handling such cases.
In other situations, it may be inconvenient not to have a residence sticker. Do you therefore still prefer to submit an application? Until 1 December 2020, you can apply for verification against EU law in writing. Please first read the conditions and then fill in the application form completely. Make sure that you fill in your address and telephone number correctly, so we can reach you. Click here for the conditions and the application form Verification against EU law (certificate of lawful residence).
If you submit this application, the family member with whom you are staying (the EU citizen) must be registered with the IND. This registration can temporarily also be done in writing only. To do this, fill in the form Registration for EU-citizens (proof of entitlement to residency status). And send this to the IND together with the application. Is your family member already registered with the IND? Then you do not have to do this again. In that case, please enclose a copy of your family member's residence document with the application.
Send the completed forms and all requested documents in 1 envelope to:
Immigration and Naturalisation Service
Postbus 16
9560 AA Ter Apel
Has the IND received your application? Then you will receive a confirmation letter and a letter explaining how you can pay the fees (costs) of your application. Have you paid the fees? Then an IND employee will call you to make an appointment at an IND desk. At that appointment, you will have biometric data taken (passport photo, fingerprints and signature). You will also receive a residence sticker in your passport. It may take several weeks before we call you, because we have to make preparations for your appointment. Only in case of emergencies, you can call our information line. Click here to find the phone number.
Can you prove that the coronavirus crisis is the direct reason that you are no longer meeting the income requirement? Then the right of residence will not be ended, or your application will not be rejected for that reason. However, you must have had sufficient resources when you applied at an IND desk.
The conditions for the residence permit include the condition that your income must be high enough (sufficient). And that you have been receiving the income for long enough (sustainable). As a result of the coronavirus crisis, the IND is being more flexible with the income conditions.
Notify the IND
If you no longer meet the income requirements, you are obliged to let the IND know by letter. The address is listed under 'Applications for a residence permit' on the web page about post. More information about a sponsor's legal obligations can be read on the web page 'Legal obligations private sponsor'.
Normally, you are not allowed to receive social benefits if you have a residence permit as an independent entrepreneur. However, the IND understands that the corona crisis may require temporary assistance. If you apply for support under the Temporary bridging measure for self-employed professionals (Tozo), you will not lose your residence permit for this reason. This also applies to your partner or family member's residence permit if you are their sponsor. However, you must notify the IND that you are receiving support under Tozo. Find out how to do this on the page 'Legal obligations of the foreign national'. For more information about Tozo, please visit Business.gov.nl (opens in new window).
When assessing the application for a residence permit as a self-employed person (following residence as a start-up), the IND usually looks at the likelihood of the start-up being successful. A statement from a reliable business mentor (facilitator) in the Netherlands is important. The coronavirus crisis makes it difficult to assess whether a start-up will be successful. Therefore, the IND will focus on progress and collaboration during the past year and the chances of success under normal circumstances. The facilitator's statement remains important in this regard. You also still have to meet the conditions that apply to residence as a self-employed person. Find out what the conditions are on the web page 'Self-employed person'.
You must meet a monthly wage criteria. This still applies. This means that you may not earn less than the required amount that applies to you. If your employer has made use of the temporary short-time working scheme (wtv), which has now been withdrawn, the IND will handle this situation flexibly. Your residence permit will not be revoked if you temporarily receive less salary for that reason. Is your salary below the required amount for another reason? Then this may have consequences for your residence permit. The IND can withdraw the residence permit. Your employer must inform the IND if you earn less than the wage criteria.
As a student, you normally have to show that you have enough money for the coming academic year. Due to the corona crisis, the IND is handling this income requirement flexibly. This applies to the academic year 2020-2021. And only for students who already studied in the Netherlands in 2019-2020. Do you have less income than the required amount due to the corona crisis? Your residence permit will not be revoked for that reason. You still have to inform your educational institution how much money you have for the coming year. And you still cannot apply for benefits from public funds. Do you receive money from the Temporary Bridging Scheme for Flexible Workers (TOFA)? This has no consequences for your residence permit.
The residence permit for 'orientation year for highly educated people' is valid for 1 year and cannot be extended. This is stated in the law. The government considers it too drastic to amend the law in response to the corona crisis. This is because it is unclear how quickly the situation on the labor market will improve.
What can the IND do for me?
The IND understands that the corona crisis has a large impact on the opportunities for international students to find a job as highly skilled migrants. And the IND knows that your knowledge and talent is important to the Netherlands. It has therefore been decided to expand the application of the reduced salary criteria for highly skilled migrants. The reduced salary criterion will also apply to anyone who:
This means that after the orientation year you may no longer stay in the Netherlands to look for a job. But the low salary criterion may be beneficial for you. It makes it easier for recent graduates to find a job as a highly skilled migrant in the Netherlands from abroad.
Has your residence permit expired, but are you unable to leave the Netherlands due to the measures against the coronavirus? Please read what to do under the question 'I no longer have the right to stay in the Netherlands. But I cannot travel back to my country. Is this a problem?' (under the heading Residence permit: general information)
Last updated: 3 August 2020 - question 6 added
Yes, under your obligation to provide information, you must report changes to the IND within 4 weeks. For example in the following situations:
Will the student continue to follow (online) education from abroad? Then you only need to report this if the student has deregistered from the BRP. Please indicate that the reason for leaving was the coronavirus crisis. On deregistration from the BRP, a withdrawal procedure is automatically started which in this case is incorrect. If the student registers again in the BRP on returning to the Netherlands, then you do not need to notify the IND.
Report these and other changes that are important for the right of residence in the Business Portal, DVS or use one of the notification forms on our website. And make sure that you record these situations in your administration because of your duty to keep records. You can find more information regarding your legal obligations and the notification forms on the following web pages: Legal obligations (recognised) sponsor labour-related purposes, Legal obligations recognised sponsor researcher and Legal obligations recognised sponsor study.
Under the obligation to provide information, you must report changes to the IND within 4 weeks. For example, registrations and de-registrations. If you cannot manage to do this within 4 weeks, please indicate in each case why it is being reported too late. Report this in the Business Portal, DVS or use one of the notification forms on our website. The IND will take into account the facts and circumstances mentioned when handling the notification.
If temporarily your employee does not meet the wage criteria because of your reliance on the wtv scheme, this will not affect their residence permit. Their permit will not be revoked as a result. The IND is handling this situation flexibly.
Under the obligation to provide information, you must report this to the IND within 4 weeks. Report this in the Business Portal or use one of the notification forms on our website. And make sure that you record these situations in your administration because of your duty to keep records.
Your employee must meet certain monthly income requirements. These still apply. Does your employee's salary fall below the required amount due to the measures you take? This may have an impact on the employee's residence permit. The IND can withdraw the residence permit. According to the existing obligation to provide information, if your employee no longer meets the income requirements you must report this to the IND within 4 weeks.
Have you applied for assistance under the short-time working scheme (wtv)? Read more about this under the question 'I am an employer and have received assistance under the short-time working scheme (wtv), which has now been withdrawn. As a result, temporarily my employee does not meet the applicable income requirements. What next?'
For more information on financial arrangements, such as the Temporary Emergency Bridging Measure for Sustained Employment (NOW), please see the overview on Government.nl(opens in new window).
Yes, even without a residence endorsement sticker, your employee(s) may work as long as the issued residence permit allows. Residence documents are temporarily only being issued to clients who have travelled to the Netherlands with a regular provisional residence permit (mvv).
This is only allowed in special cases. It is very busy at embassies and consulates that are open again. The following situation should apply:
The case is urgent. This is the case, for example, when the 9-month period in which the MVV must be collected is almost over. Or if the student has to be physically present at the start of the academic year;
The student can travel to the neighboring country. There are no physical blocks and the borders are open.
As an educational institution, can you prove that this is the case? Send your request for change of the embassy with substantiation to the special email address of the IND that is known to you (see also the newsletter of 3 August). The IND will then check whether your case is indeed urgent. And whether there is room at the embassy in the neighboring country. Only then the IND can give permission to collect the mvv from another embassy. Only after this an appointment can be made at the embassy in the neighboring country. We refer students who contact the IND to the educational institution.
Did the student (excluding exchange student) make too little study progress at the end of the academic year? Then the educational institution must determine whether there is a valid reason for this. This is called an excusable reason. The corona crisis can be an excusable reason for insufficient study progress. This falls under: the inability to study. Can the student follow an alternative form of education? And does the student have the opportunity to earn enough credits? Then this is not seen as an inability to study. This is also stated in the guidelines of the National Commission on the Code of Conduct (in Dutch only, opens in new window).
Does the student have an excusable reason as a result of which he makes too little study progress? Then this has no consequences for the residence permit. The student does not have to be deregistered from the IND. Reporting the reason is also not necessary. The educational institution must, however, include the reason in its administration. Want to know more about study progress and consequences for the residence permit? Please read the 'Study progress monitoring' page.
Normally, students must show that they have enough money for the coming academic year. Due to the corona crisis, the IND is handling this income requirement flexibly. This applies to the academic year 2020-2021. And only for students who already studied in the Netherlands in 2019-2020. A student's residence permit is not revoked for the reason that the student does not meet the income requirement due to the corona crisis. The student is still not allowed to apply benefits from public funds. Does the student receive money from the Temporary Bridging Scheme for Flexible Workers (TOFA)? This has no consequences for the residence permit.
Report to the IND
If a student does not meet the income requirement, the educational institution must still report this to the IND. Fill in on the notification form: 'student temporarily does not meet the income requirement due to corona'.
Last updated: 18 September 2020 - question 6 added
Yes, you can apply for family reunification. The IND is continuing to process applications for family reunification as usual. The IND is also still deciding on applications.
The IND understands that the measures may make it more difficult to send documents on time. Please get in touch with your contact at the IND if you cannot respond to the letter in time.
Appointments for DNA tests at embassies abroad have still been postponed. At the IND desk in Utrecht, we do make appoinments with sponsors for a DNA test. However, we will only do this if DNA has already been taken from your family member abroad before the corona crisis. And if these data are already at the IND desk in Utrecht. We will call you to make an appointment to take your DNA. We plan these appointments from 1 September 2020.
At some embassies interviews can be held through video conferencing. These embassies will start conducting identity interviews again.
That differs per embassy. Some embassies and consulates are open or will reopen (in part). These had been closed in recent months due to the coronavirus. More information is available on the website netherlandsandyou.nl (opens in new window).
The IND can still approve your application. At the same time the IND also gives the Ministry of Foreign Affairs permission to issue the mvv. Your family member has 6 months to pick up your mvv.
This is only allowed in the following situation:
• You (the sponsor) have an asylum residence permit and your application for family reunification has been approved;
• Your family member can travel to the neighboring country. There are no physical restrictions and the borders are open;
• The embassy or consulate in the neighboring country has time and room to take over your case. The IND will look into this.
The IND must give permission to collect your mvv at another embassy. Therefore, call your contact person at the IND. You can find the telephone number in the letter from the IND stating that your family member will receive an mvv. The contact person will then check whether you can collect an mvv in a neighboring country. And whether there is room at the embassy in the neighboring country. Do you get permission? Only then you can make an appointment at the embassy to collect your mvv.
This depends on the country from which your family member traveled. Before departure, check the travel advice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (BZ) (Dutch page) for the country from which your family member is leaving. In it you can read whether your family member must self-quarantine for 10 days upon arrival in the Netherlands (opens in a new window). Do you live at a COA reception center? Then your family member can self-quarantine there. After arriving in the Netherlands, you or your family member must call the MVV line for an appointment in Ter Apel. This appointment is not scheduled until the 10 days of self-quarantine are over.
You or your family member must call the MVV line for an appointment in Ter Apel. The telephone number is 088 - 0432129. This number is available from 9 am to 4 pm on working days.
Last updated: 8 September 2020 - question 1
No, the IND is still reviewing and deciding on applications received. Please, therefore submit your application as soon as possible before 31 December 2020. In July 2020, the IND sent the last invitation letters to registered UK nationals. From August 2020, the IND will no longer send an invitation letter to newly registered UK nationals. Have you not received an invitation but are you entitled to a residence document? You can apply immediately. You will be notified as soon as we take a decision by letter.
Yes, you can make an appointment online
yourself to have your biometrics (passport photo, fingerprints and signature)
taken. The IND needs your biometric details to prepare your residence
document. Make an appointment online at the IND desk in Almere or Amsterdam, or at an expat centre.
The IND desk in Amsterdam is open for UK nationals and their family members only.
Starting 12 August 2020, UK nationals and their family members will have their residence documents delivered to them at home. The IPKD (Interdepartementale Post- en Koeriersdienst) will deliver the residence documents on behalf of the IND. Read more about the delivery of your residence document after Brexit.
Last updated: 5 October 2020 - question 2: wearing a face mask
After the medical check, the AVIM (Aliens Police) does the identification and registration. They also let asylum seekers sign the asylum application. Asylum seekers can then make use of the reception at COA. After a few days, the asylum seeker will have the first interview with the IND: the reporting interview. The interview will take place at an IND location or via video-conferencing. This happens through a video connection on a computer with an IND employee. The interpreter also joins the conversation via a video connection. You can find more information about video-conferencing in the letters on our asylum page under the heading 'more information'.
For safety, plastic screens are placed in between all persons in the interview room. Also, the same measures apply that apply in other places at the IND. So for IND employees, interpreters and asylum seekers this means:
The IND normally has 6 months to decide on an application for asylum. This period is called the decision period. On 15 May 2020, it was decided that the IND will have 6 months longer to decide. This applies to you if you have applied for asylum and the decision period on 20 May 2020 was not over yet. Even if the IND has previously extended the decision period for your application.
No, the decision period will not be extended for applications in which we are already too late to decide. The IND will decide on these applications as soon as possible. The decision of the State Secretary does not change that.
The IND has been given an extra 6 months, because all the asylum procedures were temporarily suspended due to the corona measures. The IND is currently restarting normal procedures as much as possible. The IND has, for example, started with interviews via video-conferencing since April. But we can still do less interviews than before the corona crisis. Many steps of this procedure take more time. This is because, for example, extra spaces and equipment are needed. That is why the State Secretary for Justice and Security has taken this decision (opens in new window, only available in Dutch).
No, you will not receive a letter. The IND will inform you and your care providers on this website.
Asylum seekers can apply for asylum at the application centre in Ter Apel as normal. Their procedure will start in Ter Apel or Budel. Asylum seekers will have a medical check in Ter Apel. There, they will be checked for coronavirus symptoms (temperature measurement). They also get information about the measures to prevent infection of the coronavirus.
Yes, the residents have received information about the coronavirus and the measures being taken.
This is different in every case and for every country. The Repatriation and Departure Service (DT&V) reviews this case by case, every day.
The border procedure remains the same. This means that people can still apply for asylum at the external border (such as Schiphol). The IND is handling these applications from asylum seekers as part of the border procedure. This means that the asylum seeker stays in border detention during the border procedure. Applications from families and unaccompanied minor asylum seekers are not processed under the border procedure. At the moment, there is a longer rest and preparation period for the border procedure. This gives a better picture of an asylum seeker's health when the investigation into the asylum application begins. The IND decides on border procedure applications within 4 weeks.
You can apply for a permanent asylum residence permit as usual. Do you not have an integration diploma because of the measures against the coronavirus? The result letter from DUO is temporarily sufficient proof that you have obtained an integration diploma. DUO is also sending diplomas via registred post. You can find more information on the DUO website.
Last updated: 19 June 2020 - exams for integration
You can apply for naturalisation or to become Dutch through the option procedure at your town hall (gemeente). Please visit your municipality's website to find out if you can make an appointment. Or contact your municipality.
Yes, the IND is continuing to process applications for naturalisation that come in via the municipality. This applies to new applications and applications that the IND has already received.
Do you not have an integration diploma because of the measures against the coronavirus? The result letter from DUO is temporarily sufficient proof that you have obtained an integration diploma. This shows what scores you have achieved on each part. You still have to send the diploma after you get it. DUO is also sending diplomas via registred post. You can find more information on the DUO website.
Yes, since Monday 15 June 2020 civic integration exams are taking place again. Find out more about integration on inburgeren.nl (opens in new window).
That varies from one municipality to another. The ceremonies can only continue if the government measures can be followed. In some municipalities there is no ceremony, but you can make the declaration of solidarity in writing. It will be posted to your home address. This way you can make the declaration of solidarity in time. Later you will also receive the decision stating that you have become Dutch by post. Would you like to know how your municipality has arranged this? Please visit your municipality's website. Or contact your municipality.
The IND understands that at the moment it may be difficult to start or complete the renunciation procedure. Embassies and consulates may be less available, for example. PLease notify the IND if it is not possible to send proof of your request for renunciation, or an official declaration of renunciation of your nationality to the IND on time (within the required period). We will then check whether the period can be extended. Call the telephone number of Team Afstand (the Renunciation Team). You can find the number at the top right of the letter you received from the IND about renouncing your nationality. If you no longer have the letter, call the IND's information line. For the phone number click here.