Who is responsible for the reception of asylum seekers? Who decides whether a person is granted a residence permit? Who arranges and supervises departures when applications are rejected?
There is frequent confusion about the responsibilities of the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) and the Repatriation and Departure Service (DTenV). The fact is that each organisation has its own distinct tasks. This article contains background information on those tasks, on what the small asylum chain looks like and on how the organisations work together.
The Dutch asylum chain is based on a partnership between various organisations. The IND, COA and DTenV are the main government organisations involved and are referred to as the small asylum chain. They focus exclusively on admission, asylum support and returns and they work closely together because their tasks often overlap.
The organisations in the small asylum chain are part of the Ministry of Asylum and Migration and are responsible for implementing the policies devised by the Dutch Senate and House of Representatives.
The organisations that make up the small asylum chain also cooperate with other key partners, such as the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee (KMar), the Aliens Police, Identification and People Trafficking Department (AVIM), the Identification and Screening Service for Asylum Seekers (DISA), the Dutch Council for Refugees (VWN), the Legal Aid Board (in Dutch: Raad voor Rechtsbijstand) and the municipalities.
The IND assesses asylum applications and decides whether someone is allowed to stay in the Netherlands because they need protection.
The person in question is initially offered a so-called application interview with an IND employee to establish the identity and nationality of a person, record in detail the route they have travelled and briefly assess the reason for them leaving their country of origin.
A second, more detailed, interview then takes place following a period of rest and preparation. This interview is used for a more detailed assessment of why the applicant is seeking asylum and is unable to remain in their country of origin.
The IND also assesses whether the story of the asylum seeker is credible. Finally, the IND decides whether to grant the applicant a residence permit. If you want to read some additional information, visit the IND website.
The IND does not: arrange asylum support, manage reception centres, or organise returns to the country of origin.
COA provides accommodation, reception and guidance to asylum seekers in the Netherlands, from the moment they arrive until they are granted permission to build a future in the Netherlands or are instructed to leave for their home country.
COA accommodates asylum seekers in various types of reception centres in the Netherlands during the asylum procedure. When the IND decides positively on an asylum application, the person in question becomes a beneficiary of international protection (an asylum permit holder) and COA is then required to provide them with accommodation until they are given a home in the community. If the IND rejects an asylum application, COA will provide accommodation for a short period of time and help the person in question arrange their departure to their home country.
In addition to providing accommodation COA also helps asylum seekers and asylum permit holders prepare for a future in the Netherlands or their country of origin. COA provides information on life in and around the reception centres and helps them enhance the skills they need to take charge of their lives. If you would like to read some additional information, please visit the COA website.
COA does not: take decisions on asylum applications or organise departures to people’s country of origin.
DTenV becomes involved whenever a person has no right of residence in the Netherlands, or if that right of residence ends. This organisation is responsible for implementing the return policy, managing the departure of people who have to leave the Netherlands and tackling those who are residing illegally in the Netherlands.
The Netherlands’ return policy emphasises the need for asylum seekers to take personal responsibility. DTenV provides support whenever possible and cooperates with all relevant government agencies and civil society organisations.
DTenV can only proceed with a forced departure if a person refuses to leave the country independently and does not accept any assistance. If you want to read some additional information, visit the DTenV website.
DTenV does not: take decisions on asylum applications, arrange asylum support, or manage reception centres.
You can think of the small asylum chain as a single pathway with clear stopping points.
The government has published a video which portrays the asylum procedure (only available in Dutch). It also clarifies the division of roles fulfilled by IND, COA and DTenV, as partners in the chain.
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