IND annual figures 2025: fewer applications, long waiting times, high penalty payments

While long waiting times were a main theme of 2025, applications for regular residence and naturalisation were a notable exception. In these categories (family and family reunification, knowledge and talent, study and labour migration), the IND processed between 80 and 100% of applications within the statutory time limits. Labour migration was the only category in which this proportion was lower, at 53%. In total, 84,480 people applied for a residence permit for regular residence, a decrease of almost 2.4%. The number of naturalisation requests fell to 51,760 in 2025, compared with 54,780 in 2024. In all of these cases, the IND reached a decision within the required timeframe.  

This stands in contrast to asylum applications. Although the number of initial asylum applications fell to 24,070 in 2025, down from 32,180 in 2024, the number of people awaiting a decision on 1 January 2026 rose to more than 51,000. The average waiting time in the general asylum procedure increased to 67 weeks. At the same time, the approval rate fell from 58% in 2024 to 36% in 2025, partly due to changes in country policy for Syria, Yemen and Turkey.

Pressure remains high

The figures confirm what the IND has been saying for some time. Too many people have to wait too long for a decision and live in uncertainty for extended periods. Director General Rhodia Maas: 'I feel responsible for that. At the same time, it's unfortunately not easy to improve this quickly.'

The continued pressure is partly due to the fact that the number of asylum applications has exceeded the IND’s processing capacity for several years. In recent years, the IND has successfully focused on dealing with relatively straightforward cases. The drawback of this approach is that the current caseload increasingly consists of complex files that require more time to assess. In addition, assessing asylum cases has become more complicated due to changes in rules and legislation, and adjustments to country policy also play a role. This leads to longer and more legally detailed decisions. “Ensuring we make correct decisions comes first,” Maas said, “but timeliness is an inseparable part of that. Our ability to strike that balance has now come under pressure.”

Capacity limits

Over the past year, the IND has taken measures to process more asylum applications, including simplifying work instructions. Staff involved in interviews and decision-making have also worked additional hours. In the final months of 2025, an upward trend became visible in the number of decisions taken, although this has not yet led to a reduction in the number of pending applications. It is clear that the IND has been operating at the limits of its capacity for some time. As Rhodia Maas explains: 'In recent years, we have done everything possible within the current system. We have tightened processes, simplified work instructions and made the most of our available capacity. But within this framework, we are reaching clear limits. In order to improve implementation in a sustainable way, a fundamental simplification of the asylum procedure is necessary. The European Asylum and Migration Pact, which will enter into force on 12 June 2026, provides an important starting point. The measures mentioned in the coalition agreement can also help. At the same time, we must be realistic. Such a far-reaching system change has a major impact on the organisation, and all these changes have to be implemented while day-to-day work continues. It will take some time for the first positive effects to materialise.'

Asylum family reunification

While the number of pending asylum applications increased last year, the number of pending family reunification applications fell from more than 66,000 to just over 52,000. This happened for two reasons. First, the number of applications fell sharply, from almost 47,000 in 2024 to 15,000 in 2025. Second, the IND took more decisions on family reunification cases than in previous years. At the same time, waiting times for these applicants also remained long, rising to around 22 months. In 2025, approximately 16,500 family members of recognised refugees travelled to the Netherlands under family reunification arrangements.

More penalty payments

Due to the long waiting times, many applicants formally complained that the IND had exceeded the statutory time limits. As a result, the IND had to pay EUR 79 million in penalty payments in 2025. Maas explains: “Applicants are entitled to timely processing by the IND, and while it may sound odd coming from us, penalty procedures only make it more difficult to do our work on time. We certainly want to make faster decisions, but we are simply unable to do so: with or without the prospect of a penalty payment. Besides, every penalty procedure costs us money and a lot of capacity, which I believe could be better spent and used elsewhere. If it were up to me, penalty payments would be phased out as soon as possible."

Service desk

The IND continues to focus on providing excellent service and accessibility. Although the number of submitted applications decreased in 2025, the number of people visiting an IND desk or service point increased again. Appointments were made at a desk or service point almost 650,000 times. This increase is largely due to the fact that the IND began collecting biometrics from Ukrainians last year.

The number of telephone inquiries handled by the IND also increased, rising from 495,700 in 2024 to 585,580. The number of complaints in 2025 reached 3,750, a decrease compared to the previous year, just like last year.