The IND in figures

The number of applications for residence permits has already been increasing for a longer time. And this is expected to increase even more in the years to come. Moreover this does not make the work of the IND easier. Increasingly more substantiation is needed to decide on a residence application. Notwithstanding that the IND does more than can be expected of the organisation on the basis of the agreed capacity, the number of cases that have been outstanding for a long time is increasing.

Each month the IND publishes a survey of the main current figures and developments.

Monthly figures September 2025

Asylum: First asylum applications

The IND made fewer decisions (1,760) on initial asylum applications in September than forecast at the beginning of the year. This difference is largely explained by the decision and departure moratorium on Syria that has been in effect, which prevented the IND from ruling on Syrian cases. As a result of this, we dealt with other cases that took more time. This led to a rise in the number of outstanding applications, from 46,520 to 47,470.

Asylum: Dublin procedure (track 1)

The IND is able to closely monitor the number of applications in the Dublin procedure. All outstanding applications are being processed. The IND is awaiting a response from the Member States where the applicants have previously applied for asylum.

Asylum: Safe Country procedure (Track 2)

The safe country policy was suspended on 23 September 2025 following a ruling of the Council of State. This means that the IND can no longer fast track these applications ("track 2"). The IND continues to prioritize applications from former safe country applicants under the general asylum procedure ("track 4"). Track 2 remains open only to asylum applications from EU citizens and applicants who have already been given protection elsewhere in the EU. This involves a very small number of applications.

Asylum: General and extended asylum procedure (Track 4)

The IND made fewer decisions (2,170) in the General and Extended Asylum Procedure than expected at the beginning of this year (3,220). This difference is largely explained by the decision and departure moratorium on Syria that has been in effect, which prevented the IND from ruling on Syrian cases. As a result of this, we dealt with other cases that took more time. The IND also received more cases (3,110). This led to the number of outstanding applications rising from 51,860 to 52,800.

Asylum: Family members who have joined the asylum seekers later

The IND made 2,600 decisions on family reunification applications in September, which met the assignment (2,320). There were 820 new applications. The IND received another 4,580 applications in September 2024. The total number of outstanding applications decreased from 57,840 to 56,060.

Family and relatives

The IND processes the vast majority of applications for stay with family or partner within three months. The IND made 3,090 decisions in these cases in September. A further 5,810 applications are being processed.

Residence permit knowledge and talent

Permits for knowledge and talent cover highly skilled migrants, graduates with an orientation year, and workers transferred to a European branch of the company. The IND processes the vast majority of applications within a month. In September, the IND made 1,480 decisions on such applications. The IND received 1,560 new applications.

Study

The IND takes into account a peak period during the summer and in November and December and can therefore decide on these applications within a short time span. The summer peak is over. The IND received 180 applications in September and made 230 decisions.

Migrant workers

In April, there were 310 decisions on applications from migrant workers. The IND receive d another 670 new applications. Labour migration includes permits for paid employment, work as a self-employed person or a start-up, as a cross-border service provider and applications based on the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty.

Naturalization

In April, the IND decided on 6,970 naturalisation applications. A total of 3,960 people applied for Dutch nationality.

Service desk

In September, applicants scheduled a total of 23,940 appointments to collect residence documents at the IND desks. On average, applicants were able to get an appointment within 7 days. More appointments for biometrics (taking fingerprints and photos) were scheduled than in previous months (23,540). On average, it was possible to schedule an appointment within 7 days.