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: 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.
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: 2 June 2020
12:45 Brexit updated
Last updated: 15 May 2020 - question 3 and 4 added
Due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), visiting an IND desk is different now from what you are used to. The IND has adjusted all desks in such a way that your visit will be safe for both you and our employees. We have taken into account all current safety measures.
At present, it is not possible to receive everyone at our desks. Therefore, we will contact clients ourselves in order to schedule an appointment. This way, we can control the number of people present at the same time at our desks. Here you can read for which appointments the IND will contact you. And for which appointments you will have to call us yourself. You will also read about what the IND is doing in order to adhere to all current safety measures.
We will only schedule an appointment for collecting your first residence permit (card).
This is in case you have received a positive decision on:
your application for a first residence permit and you have entered the Netherlands with a provisional residence permit (mvv), or
your application for a first residence permit and you have entered the Netherlands without a provisional residence permit (mvv) and the IND has already taken your biometrics (fingerprints, passport photo and signature) or
your application for a first residence permit for asylum, or
your application for a first residence permit asylum for your family members (family reunification, journey to join an asylum seeker)
Does one of the above applies to you? Then the IND will call you to schedule an appointment. Do not call us yourself. It could take a while before we will contact you. There are a lot of residence permits ready to be collected and we cannot have too many people present at the same time at our desks.
You can only contact us in order to provide biometrics after you have received a positive decision on:
Does this apply to you? Then call the IND in order to schedule an appointment to provide your biometrics. Click here to find the phone number. Do you have to provide biometrics for another type of residence permit? Then it is not possible to schedule an appointment at an IND desk.
Also, until further notice, it is not possible to schedule an appointment for any other services or products. Does this put you in a difficult situation and is it not possible for you to wait any longer? In case of emergencies, you can call our information line. Click here to find the phone number.
No, until further notice, it is not possible to schedule an appointment for any other products. This could mean that you will not be able to provide your biometrics within the standard time. There is nothing that you can do about this at the moment. you have the rights associated with your residence permit, even without your residence document. 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.
Please keep checking this page to see when you will be able to make an appointment again.
The IND sends a lot of different letters to many clients. We are not able to alter the letters on time, because the situation may be different every week. Therefore, all the letters contain a link to this page. Is certain information in the letter different to the information on this page? Always follow the information on this page. This is the latest information.
No, it is not yet possible to schedule an appointment online. This page will be updated as soon as it will be possible again to schedule appointments online.
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 at home if you have a cold.
Do not bring anyone else, come by yourself as much as possible.
Keep 1.5 meters (2 arm lengths) distance from others.
Be there at the agreed time. In other words: not too early or too late.
Upon entry, clean your hands with hand disinfectant.
Pay with your debit card (pin).
Last updated: 15 May 2020 - question 1 (date closed borders)
Since Thursday 19 March 2020, European borders have been closed to people from countries outside Europe. This applies until 15 June 2020. Europe means: EU countries, Schengen countries and the United Kingdom. The travel restriction does not apply to everyone. For example, you can travel if you have a valid mvv or residence permit. For more information, visit Government.nl and netherlandsandyou.nl (opens in a new window).
Yes, an exception is made for travelers that have a transit visa. You are allowed to have a stopover at Schiphol airport if you have a travel ticket to a country outside the Schengen area.
No, travel that is not necessary is prohibited for people from countries outside Europe. You will not be given access if you travel to the Netherlands. For more information, visit netherlandsandyou.nl (opens in a new window).
Until 8 april 2020 you could register on bijzonderebijstandbuitenland.nl (the link opens in new window, click on 'English' at the bottom of the page for information in English). Through this website the national government, insurers, the travel industry and airlines try to help stranded travelers. Have you registered on this website? Then you will be helped as soon as possible. You must be registered with a Dutch municipality. Did you fail to register before 8 april and do you need help? Please contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Click here to find the frequently asked questions about assistance abroad and their contact details (opens in new window).
No, you will need a valid residence permit to travel. Under the heading Residence permit you can read what to do if your residence permit is no longer valid.
Last updated: 26 May 2020 - question 4 added
It is currently not possible to apply for a short stay visa. 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. The government expects you to try to return when your right of residence expires. Do you need help to return? Please contact your country's embassy or consulate in the Netherlands (opens in new window).
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 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, European borders have been closed to people from countries outside Europe. This applies until 15 June 2020. Europe means: EU countries, Schengen countries and the United Kingdom. Do you have a short-stay visa, or you do not need a visa, and are you not yet in Europe? Then you cannot travel to the Netherlands. An exception is only made for people performing a vital function who need to be in the Netherlands. For example, health care personnel, or humanitarian workers. For more information, visit Government.nl and 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: 28 April 2020 - question 3 (residence permit 'family members and relatives')
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 Government.nl and 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).
No, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will temporarily not issue mvvs. The IND will still approve your application if you meet all the conditions. From that date, you then have 3 months to collect your mvv. Keep checking netherlandsandyou.nl (opens in a new window) if you want to know when you can collect your mvv. At this moment, you can only collect your mvv if:
your family member (the sponsor) has the Dutch nationality; and
the purpose of residence of your residence permit is 'family members and relatives'.
In other cases, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will only issue an mvv when it is urgent. Your case may only be urgent if you would like to come to the Netherlands as an employee, highly skilled worker or researcher. Collecting an mvv is only urgent if you meet the following 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 is or comes under the essential professions or vital processes during the COVID-19 outbreak (opens in new window).
You need to explain why your case is urgent. And you have to prove that this urgency relates to an essential profession and vital process.
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 have 3 months to collect your mvv. What if it is not possible to collect your mvv within this period due to the coronavirus measures? Then you will have 3 more months to collect it. When can you make another appointment at the embassy or consulate? Please keep checking netherlandsandyou.nl (website opens in new window). At your appointment you must explain that you could not pick up your mvv sooner because of the measures.
You can make a new appointment as soon as the embassy or consulate reopens. 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. You have to do this within 3 months after your current mvv expires.
No, the civic integration exams at Dutch embassies abroad will temporarily not take place. Did your spouse or partner have an appointment at an embassy? Then your spouse or partner will be notified that their appointment has been cancelled. More information about the effects of the coronavirus on the civic integration exams is available from netherlandsandyou.nl (opens in a new window).
Last updated: 26 May 2020 - Residence permit: general information - last question added
The information below is divided into a general part and parts with additional information about a specific purpose of stay.
Are you outside Europe? You need an mvv to gain access to the Netherlands. Or a valid residence permit from the Netherlands or another EU or Schengen country. A positive decision on your application (notification) alone is not enough currently. You will have to wait until the European borders open (further). An exception is only made if you have a vital function.
Since Thursday 19 March 2020, European borders have been closed to people from countries outside Europe. This applies until 15 June 2020. Europe means: EU countries, Schengen countries and the United Kingdom. The travel restriction does not apply to everyone. For more information, visit Government.nl and netherlandsandyou.nl (opens in a new window).
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 this, there will be no consequences for your residence permit.
To travel back to the Netherlands without a valid residence permit, you need an entry visa. 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 for people performing a vital function or need (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 this exception does 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 registred 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).
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 the conditions are. At the moment it is not possible to submit an application online or in writing. What if you are asked to prove your right of residence? If you explain the situation, it will be handled flexibly.
Information will follow.
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).
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 earn less 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.
Last updated: 15 May 2020 - question 3 and 4 (wage criteria)
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).
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.
Last updated: 9 april 2020 - question 1
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.
No. All investigations have temporarily been cancelled. The IND will not schedule new investigations until the measures are definitely over. This also applies to hearings in applications for review.
No, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has temporarily cancelled all investigations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will not schedule new investigations until the measures are definitely over. It is therefore possible that your case will be delayed.
No, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will temporarily not issue any mvvs. 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. You have 6 months to pick up your mvv. However you temporarily cannot make an appointment to pick up your mvv at an embassy. You will able to find out when you can make an appointment again on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' website (opens in new window).
Last updated: 2 June 2020
No, the IND is still reviewing and deciding on applications received. Please, therefore submit your application within 4 weeks of receiving the invitation letter. You will be notified as soon as we take a decision by letter.
After submitting your application you will receive an acknowledgement of receipt from the IND. Although this letter asks you to make an appointment to have your biometrics taken, this is not currently possible in Brexit cases. Instead we call you to make an appointment. The IND needs your biometric details to prepare your residence document. We will update this page when you can make an appointment yourself again to have your biometrics taken.
Last updated: 19 May 2020 - question 1-4 added (extension decision period)
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.
The IND has temporarily suspended asylum procedures. The IND is temporarily postponing all interviews. This is because interviews are usually in small rooms and often take a long time. This makes it difficult to follow the RIVM's measures, such as keeping a distance. We also wish to avoid asylum seekers, lawyers, Vluchtelingenwerk and other staff from having to travel to an IND location for an interview. Asylum seekers who had an interview scheduled have already received a letter from the IND. The letter advises that they will receive a new invitation for an interview. The IND started with interviews via video-conferencing. This happens through a video connection on a computer at different locations. The IND sent a letter about this to asylum seekers. Click here to find the letters on our asylum page under the heading 'more information'.
Asylum seekers can apply for asylum at the application centre in Ter Apel. Their procedure will start as normal in Ter Apel or Budel. Asylum seekers will have a medical check in Ter Apel. There, they will be checked for coronavirus symptoms. 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.
Asylum seekers whose asylum applications have been rejected remain in the COA reception centres.
This is different in every case and for every country. The Repatriation and Departure Service (DT&V) reviews this case by case, every day.
No, transfers in Dublin cases are temporarily postponed. These are cases where another European Member State is responsible for the asylum application. Asylum seekers cannot travel to another European Member State at the moment. They continue to stay in the reception centres. The fact that there are no transfers does not mean that asylum seekers will be included in the national procedures. The IND is still assessing which country is responsible for an asylum application.
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 May 2020 - question 3 added
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.
No, there will temporarily be no civic integration exams. The state examination diploma for Dutch as a second language (NT2) are also not taking place. This applies to exams in the Netherlands and abroad. Find out more about the effects of the coronavirus on your 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. What 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)? Please notify the IND. 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.