Extra application centre in Bant (Flevoland)

The arrival of a new application centre will allow a better response to higher numbers of asylum seekers and will reduce the pressure on the application centre in Ter Apel as a result. By distributing the pressure more evenly throughout the Netherlands, the asylum process can be planned better. Eventually, the aim is to set up four reception centres.

Identification and registration

In Bant (near Luttelgeest), newly arrived asylum seekers can go through the first steps of the asylum process. They will come to the reception centre with an appointment. Next, identification, registration and a medical check will take place. This process can take 2 to 3 days. The COA will realise around 250-300 accommodations where asylum seekers can spend the night.
The reporting interview, in which someone explains, among other things, why they apply for asylum in the Netherlands, will take place later at a different IND location, such as Budel or Utrecht. Asylum seekers will be transferred to another reception centre after their registration. Here they will stay for the continuation of their procedure and await a decision.

Recruitment of staff

To carry out the IND processes in Bant, the recruitment of new staff will start in the short term. The IND needs 20-30 staff members to be operational 7 days a week. This is in addition to the recruitment task which the IND is already facing.

Challenges remain

An extra application centre will help the asylum process, but its challenges will not go away immediately. The number of asylum applications is increasing and it is larger than what the IND is equipped for. Because of this, asylum seekers must wait longer for a decision.