Becoming a Dutch citizen abroad or in Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius or Saba

Note: Do you have the nationality from the country in which you live? Then it is not possible to apply for Dutch citizenship.

Do you think you meet the conditions for option or naturalisation? You then go to the Dutch embassy or consulate, the Cabinet of the Governor or the counters of the IND-unit Caribbean Netherlands. A staff member checks with you whether you indeed fulfil the conditions. The staff member also helps you submit the application.

If you want to apply for Dutch nationality, you will be dealing with different authorities:

Do you live abroad? You will be dealing with:

1. the Dutch embassy or consulate and
2. the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) in the Netherlands

Do you live in Aruba, Curaçao or Sint Maarten? You will be dealing with:

1. the Cabinet of the Governor
2. the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) in the Netherlands

Do you live in Bonaire, Sint Eustatius or Saba? You will be dealing with:

1. the counters of the IND-unit Caribbean Netherlands in Bonaire, Sint Eustatius or Saba and
2. the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) in the Netherlands

With a naturalisation application, a recommendation is drafted for the IND. That recommendation is sent to the IND, along with your application for naturalisation. The IND processes the application and makes a decision.

In case of an option procedure, it is the Dutch embassy or consulate, the Cabinet of the Governor or the counters of the IND-unit Caribbean Netherlands itself that handles the application and makes a decision. You will not have to deal with the IND in the Netherlands.