Extension of decision period no longer applies to some asylum applications
This week the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) is officially cancelling the option of extending decision deadlines…
IND response to news of sending back Afghan women
Last update: 26 November 2025
In recent weeks, various media outlets reported on the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) rejecting asylum applications by two Afghan women. This led to parliamentary questions and public outrage. Due to the privacy of those involved, the IND cannot comment on individual cases. However, the IND would very much like to explain the decision in general terms.
The IND fully understands that this decision raises questions. It is beyond dispute that the Taliban oppresses women. For this reason, the IND grants the vast majority of asylum applications from Afghan women.
Requirements
To be eligible for a residence permit, Afghan women must meet two conditions. They must demonstrate that they cannot conform to the Taliban's rules of life. Furthermore, because they cannot conform to these rules, they must be in serious danger.
Exceptional
The rejection of these women's applications is exceptional. However, the IND considers the rejection to be well motivated. In their interviews with the IND, the women failed to sufficiently demonstrate that the Taliban's rules hinder their desired lifestyle and that they are therefore at risk. Therefore, the IND rejected their applications. In one case, this decision has since been upheld by the court.
Assessment
The IND examines each asylum application individually, considering all the applicant's facts and circumstances. This is followed by a careful assessment, in which the IND considers and weighs all the information received. This assessment was also conducted for these two women, and the outcome was unfavorable for them.
Also read the background article about individual cases.