The corona crisis affects the way the IND works. And perhaps also your personal situation. This may have consequences for your application or stay in the Netherlands. On this page you can find the latest information about these consequences.
Below you can find answers to important questions about the consequences for your application or stay in the Netherlands. Those answers may change if the situation surrounding the coronavirus changes. It is possible that you receive a letter containing different information. Always follow the information that you read on this page. This page will be updated as new information becomes available.
Last updated: 23 April 2021
15:15 Journey to join an asylum seeker - question 8 (IOM will soon start DNA tests in Sudan, Turkey and Greece)
Last updated: 29 March 2021 - Making an appointment at an IND desk or expat center (question 1 and 5)
Below you will find information about the following subjects (in this order):
Delivering residence documents at home
Making an appointment at an IND desk or expat center
Visiting an IND desk
Please note: are you a UK national (or family member)? Read more about your residence document under the heading Brexit.
The IND has arranged for some residence documents to be delivered at home, so clients need to travel less. This is not the case for asylum permits or when you first receive a residence document. When your residence document is ready, the Interdepartmental Postal and Courier Service (IPKD) will deliver your residence document to you at home. The IPKD is a government organisation which specialises in courier services.
Have you received a letter stating that your residence document is at an IND desk? Then the IND will not deliver your residence document at home. Please make an appointment to collect your residence document.
We cannot tell you when the IPKD will deliver your residence document to you at home. You cannot make an appointment in advance, unless you live in an area with few inhabitants. Then the IPKD will call you first or send you an email with your personal login code and contact details. You can then make an online appointment with the IPKD for home delivery. On the day of the appointment, the courier will deliver your residence document to you at home.
A courier from the IPKD will deliver your residence document. You must accept the residence document yourself. For security reasons, you must present a valid ID (your passport or ID) to the courier. No one else can do this for you.
If you are not at home, the IPKD will leave a notice in your letterbox. This notice contains your personal login code and the contact details of the IPKD. You can then make an appointment online with the IPKD for home delivery, or to pick up the residence document yourself at an IPKD location. It is also possible to make an appointment by phone. The number is in the notice left by the IPKD. If necessary, you can change an appointment in the same way.
What if you do not make an appointment? Then the IPKD will come to your home a maximum of 2 more times to deliver your residence document. If you are still not at home, you have 7 days to collect your residence document from an IPKD location. After that, the IPKD will send your residence document back to the IND.
Yes, in almost all cases you can make an appointment online again to visit an IND desk. Read which appointments you can make online. Are you a UK national (or family member)? Then please make a biometrics appointment via the Brexit page.
Please note: do you want to make an appointment to collect a residence endorsement sticker? Sometimes you cannot make the appointment online. In these situations, you have to call the IND for an appointment:
You submitted an application to stay with your EU family member (verification against EU law). You have not yet received a decision on your application. The letter from the IND stating that you are allowed to live (and work) in the Netherlands is no longer valid. In the letter you can find the date until which it is valid. Or an employer or government organisation does not accept that letter as proof of lawful stay.
You submitted an application to stay with your minor Dutch child.
It is currently very busy at the IND desks due to the corona crisis. Therefore, it may happen that there are no available days at the desk you choose. You can check the online schedule regularly to see if a new date opened up. Every day, new dates open up at the IND desks, because appointments are being cancelled.
Does the letter about collecting your residence document state that you must collect this within a certain time? You may not be able to do that within this time. Your residence document will remain at the IND desk until you have an appointment to collect it. Please call the IND only in case of emergencies.
Some IND desks are open longer than normal. This is temporary because of the corona crisis. If you make an appointment online, you will see in the system when the desk is open. You always need an appointment to visit a desk.
Yes, because of the coronavirus measures, you must make an appointment to visit an expat center. See the list of contact details of the expat centers to make an appointment.
Did you receive a letter stating that the IND needs your biometric data? Find out when you need to make an appointment for biometrics.
Do you have an expired residence document and has your application for extension of your residence permit been approved? Then you have the rights associated with your residence permit, even without your new residence document. In that case, you may continue to work if your residence permit permits you to work. Your residence permit rights are in the letter with the decision on your application. Do you have a sponsor? Then your sponsor received this letter.
What if you have not received a decision on your application? Or if you want to collect a residence sticker for another reason? If you have the right to stay in the Netherlands, then this right of residence also applies without the sticker. Have you received a positive decision on your application for a first residence permit? And do you want to work? Then you need a residence document or residence sticker that proves you are allowed to work. Make an appointment online for this at an IND desk or expat center.
The IND has designed all desks differently to comply with the rules and recommendations of the government. The IND has:
placed plexiglass screens on all counters;
made walking routes in the waiting areas. These are indicated by stickers and signs;
placed hand disinfectant;
adjusted the layout of the waiting areas, making it possible to keep a distance of 1.5 meters.
When visiting an IND desk, the following applies:
Stay home if you have symptoms of a cold (such as stuffy nose, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat), coughing, breathlessness, or (mild) fever.
Do not bring anyone else, come by yourself as much as possible.
Be there at the agreed time. In other words: not too early or too late. Are you more than 5 minutes early? Please wait outside.
Upon entry, clean your hands with hand disinfectant.
Wear a face mask inside the building. This applies to every person aged 13 years or over. More information about the wearing of face masks in indoor public spaces (opens in new window).
Keep 1.5 meters (2 arm lengths) distance from others.
Pay with your debit card (pin).
Last updated: 16 March 2021 - question 3 and 4
Whether you can travel to the Netherlands depends on your situation. Please read the 'Checklist for travel to the Netherlands' by the Dutch government.
Please note: Are you a UK national or the family member of a UK national? An exception to the entry ban may apply to you according to the rules of the Withdrawal Agreement. Find out when you come under the Withdrawal Agreement. You must then prove that you are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement when you arrive in the Netherlands.
Please check the website of the Dutch government for everything you need to know about traveling to the Netherlands and the restrictions. Read the 'Checklist for travel to the Netherlands' by the Dutch government. Do you still have questions after reading the information on government.nl? For questions about traveling to the Netherlands please contact the Dutch government.
From 16 March 16 2021, long-distance relationships will again be subject to an exception to the entry ban. Your partner may come to the Netherlands for a short stay if you and your partner meet the conditions. This scheme only applies to you if you have Dutch nationality or are an EU/EEA citizen. Read all the conditions of the long-distance relationship scheme on Rijksoverheid.nl (opens in a new window). There you can also find where to go with questions about this scheme.
Please note: Does your partner have a nationality that requires a short-stay visa for the Netherlands? Then your partner must always apply for a short-stay visa at the Dutch embassy or consulate (opens in a new window). In that case, please do not ask the IND for advice on whether you meet the conditions. The IND cannot issue a visa. Not even when the embassy or consulate is closed. For questions about the visa application, please contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (opens in a new window).
For partners from safe countries that are not subject to the entry ban, the normal conditions of entry and residence apply.
You may enter the Netherlands if you live in one of the countries to which the entry ban does not apply. Do you live in a country to which the entry ban does apply? For example the United States? Then you may, as a person exempted from the mvv requirement, only travel to the Netherlands if your purpose of travel is covered by one of the exemption categories of the entry ban. This is the case if you have received a letter from the IND (kennisgeving) stating that you will receive a residence permit as:
Does this apply to you? Then your flight to the Netherlands must be direct (no transit). Please pay attention to the flight ban for a number of countries.
You must bring the following documents with you when traveling to the Netherlands:
There are also obligations for negative COVID-19 tests and quarantine upon arrival in the Netherlands. See the checklist for entering the Netherlands on government.nl. Is the airline not allowing you on the flight because they do not consider the letter (kennisgeving) to be sufficient evidence? Please contact the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee. The phone number is 0800 1814. If you are calling from abroad +31 88 958 1814.
You may make a stopover (transit) from a country outside Europe, via Schiphol airport, to another country outside Europe. Europe here means: EU countries and Schengen countries. You must meet the following conditions:
You will not get access to the Netherlands during a transit. You are not allowed to leave the international transit area of the airport. Read more on travelling to the Netherlands from abroad on government.nl.
Do you travel from a country outside of Europe? And would you like to travel to a Schengen area country via the Netherlands? Then you must be able to show you have permission to enter the Schengen country in question. You can do this with a note verbale from that country's embassy, for example, or another type of document that proves you can travel there.
Do you not have a document showing you have permission to enter the Schengen country in question? Then the Dutch border authorities will determine whether you may travel via the Netherlands. You are advised to fly there directly and not via the Netherlands. Read more on travelling to the Netherlands from abroad on government.nl.
No, traveling with an expired residence permit is not possible. Under the heading Residence permit you can read what to do if your residence permit is no longer valid.
Last updated: 20 January 2021 - question 3 (positive COVID-19 test valid reason for visa extension)
In countries where there is no longer an entry ban, the Netherlands will again issue visas if possible. This depends on the local situation in that country. Does the entry ban apply to your country? Then you can only apply for a visa if your purpose of travel is covered by one of the exemption categories. Read more about visas in the Q&A on netherlandsworldwide.nl (opens in new window). In case you cannot find the information there, please contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (opens in new window).
Read more about visas in the Q&A on netherlandsworldwide.nl (opens in new window). In case you cannot find the information there, please contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (opens in new window).
You can apply for an extension of your short-stay visa if you cannot return to your country of origin. The following situation must apply to you:
Your visa has expired or expires within 1 month; and
The airline has cancelled your flight. Or you had not booked a flight yet. You cannot book a (new) flight. Or you tested positive for COVID-19; and
You still meet the conditions for a short-stay visa .
Would you like to apply for a visa extension? Please call the IND. Keep your visa number and passport to hand.
Is the IND going to renew your visa? Then you will not immediately have a visa sticker placed in your passport. You will receive a letter of confirmation. This visa extension is only valid within the Netherlands. You cannot travel to other Schengen countries. An application for extending your visa is free.
The total stay with a visa may never exceed 180 days. It is not possible to extend longer than 180 days. If your right of residence expires, the government expects you to try to return. Do you need help to return? Please contact your country's embassy or consulate in the Netherlands (opens in new window). Do you not return home even though there are already opportunities to do so? Then you can get an entry ban from the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee when you leave. Unless you can prove that earlier departure was not possible.
Extension of your visa due to corona does not count in the calculation of the total stay. A short stay visa allows you to stay up to 90 days, within a 180-day period, in the Netherlands (or Schengen area). Do you reach these 90 days (or more) due to the extension? Then you do not have to wait 90 days outside the Netherlands (or Schengen area) before you re-enter the Netherlands with a visa.
If you now extend your short-stay visa, it is only valid in the Netherlands. However, you may travel to an airport in another Schengen country to take a flight to your country of origin. You are not allowed to stay in another Schengen country with your extended visa.
You cannot apply for an extension of a permit-exempt term right now. This is the period of 90 days in a 180-day period that you may stay in the Netherlands (and the Schengen area). Is your permit-exempt term about to expire and you cannot leave? You do not need to report this to the IND. But the Dutch government does expect you to try to return when your right of residence expires. Do you not return home even though there are already opportunities to do so? Then you can get an entry ban from the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee when you leave. Unless you can prove that earlier departure was not possible. Do you need help to return home? Please contact your country's embassy or consulate in the Netherlands (opens in new window).
Whether you can travel to the Netherlands depends on your situation. An entry ban applies to some people travelling to the Netherlands from countries outside Europe. Europe means: all EU countries and Schengen countries. The entry ban does not apply to everyone. Please check government.nl for more information about the entry ban and travelling to the Netherlands (opens in a new window). Or check frequently asked questions about entering the Netherlands on netherlandsworldwide.nl (opens in new window).
Yes, you can. Please call the IND to apply for a visa extension.
Last updated: 16 April 2021 - question 2 and 3 (rules for collecting mvv and applying for a residence permit without mvv temporarily relaxed)
With a valid mvv you will have access to the Netherlands, or another Schengen country. But there is a flight ban for a number of countries. Please read the 'Checklist for travel to the Netherlands' by the Dutch government. (opens in a new window).
Normally you have to travel back to collect your mvv. The IND understands that travel is not always possible due to the corona crisis. Therefore, we make an exception to this rule if you meet the following 4 conditions:
Do all 4 conditions apply to you? Then you do not have to collect the mvv. You can make an appointment by phone to visit an IND desk. During the appointment, an IND staff member will check your documents. They will also take your biometric details (photo, fingerprints and signature).
Please bring along to the appointment at the IND desk:
the letter stating that you are getting a residence permit (kennisgeving)
the original documents mentioned in this letter
your passport
documents showing that due to travel restrictions you could not return to your country of origin or continuous residence before 15 June 2020
Do you not meet the 4 conditions? Then you must collect your mvv in the country of origin or continuous residence, when this is possible again. You cannot collect your mvv in the Netherlands. More information about collecting an mvv on netherlandsworldwide.nl (opens in new window).
The IND is currently being flexible with the rule that you have to travel to the Netherlands with an mvv. We are doing this because of the travel restrictions. This means that in certain situations, you can apply for a residence permit without mvv in the Netherlands. Then you do not need to travel abroad to collect your mvv. The relaxing of this rule will apply in any event until 15 May 2021.
Would you like to apply for a residence permit without mvv? Then you must fulfil the following 3 conditions:
You arrived in the Netherlands before 23 January 2021;
You are in the Netherlands with a short-stay visa or in your permit-exempt term. You risk being in a situation where your extended visa or permit-exempt term has expired and you cannot leave the Netherlands due to travel restrictions. Has your visa or permit-exempt term already expired? The IND is flexible in handling these cases if this is the result of force majeure (circumstances outside your control) due to the coronavirus;
You and your sponsor meet all the conditions for the residence permit. See the conditions for your residence purpose on this website. Do the conditions say that you should you have passed the civic integration examination abroad? Then in this case, this condition does not apply.
Do you meet the 3 conditions? Including the conditions to live with your family or partner in the Nederlands? Then you can send a written application to the IND by post. Please use this form: Application for the purpose of residence of ‘family and relatives’ (foreign national) – 7525
Please note: in the application form, under the reason for exemption from the mvv requirement, tick: “Other, there are special and personal circumstances on the basis of which you cannot travel back to your country to apply for an mvv.” Attach a letter to your application form explaining why you cannot travel abroad due to the coronavirus. Are you unable to travel due to other special circumstances? Please also mention these circumstances. You do not have to make an appointment at an IND desk to submit your application. You will receive a message from the IND about the handling of your application.
Do you have a recognised sponsor for, for example, knowledge migration or study? Then your recognised sponsor will submit the application in the usual way.
Do you want to apply for a residence permit without mvv for a different purpose of residence? Please check our website to find the application form you need.
You can request an mvv. The IND is continuing to handle applications. Keep in mind that it can take longer before you can collect the mvv. And that your situation may change due to the measures. As a result, you may no longer meet the conditions for obtaining an mvv. Not sure if you still meet the conditions in the future? The IND advises you not to apply for an mvv (yet).
That differs per embassy. Some embassies and consulates are open and some are closed. For more information read the Q&A's about long-stay visa (mvv) on the website netherlandsworldwide.nl (opens in new window).
Some people can make an appointment to collect the mvv sooner than others. You will possibly have priority if you belong to one of the exception categories of the EU entry ban (opens in new window). For example if you are a family member of a Dutch citizen. Or if you have an essential function or need. Highly skilled migrants and students are also given priority.
Not all embassies can open yet. This is due to the local situation. Is your embassy still closed? Foreign Affairs will then only issue an mvv if you fall under an exception category of the EU entry ban (opens in new window). Or if you need an mvv with exceptional urgency. And if the local situation allows it. This differs per embassy. It is still possible that you cannot pick up an mvv yet. The IND will only consider your case urgent if you meet these three criteria:
You can prove that you can travel to the Netherlands at this time. This means that there are no physical restrictions and that the borders are open. Flights are departing from your country to the Netherlands.
Your work or research comes under the vital professions.
You need to explain why your case is urgent. And you have to prove that this urgency relates to a vital profession.
If you meet all three criteria, ask your employer to contact the IND. The IND will then determine whether the case is indeed urgent.
You normally have 3 months to collect your mvv. This has been extended to 6 months because of the corona crisis. What if it is not possible to collect your mvv within 6 months due to the coronavirus measures? The embassy or consulate will handle your case flexibly if you collect the mvv within 3 months following those 6 months. At your appointment, you must explain that you could not pick up your mvv sooner because of the corona crisis. So, you must collect the mvv within 9 months after the positive decision of the IND. Please check the Q&A's about long-stay visa (mvv) on netherlandsworldwide.nl (opens in new window) to find out when you can make an appointment at the embassy or consulate.
Will you be able to travel to the Netherlands soon? But is your mvv no longer valid? You can make a new appointment if the embassy or consulate is open. This appointment has to take place within 90 days after your current mvv expires. At the appointment you will have to explain that you could not travel with your mvv because of the measures. The embassy or consulate will then reissue your mvv.
Has it been more than 90 days since your mvv expired? Or were you unable to collect the mvv within 9 months? Then the embassy or consulate cannot simply reissue the mvv. You must then make a new application first. This can be done in the same way as you made the previous application. You have to pay for the new application as well. Have you received a positive decision on the new application? Then you can make an appointment to collect your new mvv from the embassy or consulate. Please check the Q&A's about long-stay visa (mvv) on netherlandsworldwide.nl (opens in new window) to find out when you can make an appointment at the embassy or consulate.
This is only allowed in special cases. Since it is very busy at embassies and consulates that are open again. The following situation should apply to you:
The IND must give permission to collect your mvv from another embassy. Therefore call your contact person at the IND. You can find the phone number in the letter from the IND stating that you will receive an mvv. The contact person will then check whether your case is urgent. And whether there is room at the embassy in the neighboring country. Do you get permission? Only then you can make an appointment at the embassy to collect your mvv.
Do you want to come to the Netherlands as a student? Then your Dutch educational institution must contact the IND about changing the embassy. Read more about this under the heading Employer, educational or research institution.
At some embassies it is possible again to take exams. Has your exam or the exam of your spouse been canceled? Then you will be notified as soon as it is possible to make an appointment. For more information please check the Q&A's about the civic integration exam on netherlandsworldwide.nl (opens in new window). General information about the civic integration examination abroad can be found at naarnederland.nl (opens in new window).
Last updated: 1 April 2021 - question 3 under Residence permit: general information (working without residence document or sticker)
The information below is divided into a general part and parts with additional information about a specific purpose of stay.
With a residence permit, you may only be abroad for a certain period of time. How long you may stay outside the Netherlands depends on which residence permit you have. Read more about this on the page 'Main residence in the Netherlands'. Are you unable to travel back to the Netherlands in time due to the measures against corona? If you can explain that this is not your fault, there will be no consequences for your residence permit. This also does not affect future applications. For example, if you want to apply for a permanent residence permit or naturalisation.
You can extend a residence permit at the IND from abroad. Please do this before your residence permit expires. If you submit the application after your residence permit has expired, you may then have a residence gap. What if you cannot submit certain documents (on time) because of the measures against the coronavirus? The IND will be flexible in handling such cases. Has you application for extension been granted? Then please make an appointment for collecting your residence document at an IND desk. Your document cannot be collected by someone else.
Do you want to travel to the Netherlands? And do you require a visa for this because of your nationality? You then have to apply for an entry visa to travel back to the Netherlands without a valid residence permit. You can only do this if you still have right of residence in the Netherlands. You can enter the Netherlands if you have an entry visa. Visit the The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' website to find out if you can apply for an entry visa in your country (opens in new window).
Do you have an expired residence document and has your application for extension of your residence permit been approved? Then you have the rights associated with your residence permit, even without your new residence document. In that case, you may continue to work if your residence permit permits you to work. Your residence permit rights are in the letter with the decision on your application. Do you have a sponsor? Then your sponsor received this letter.
What if you have not received a decision on your application? Or if you want to collect a residence sticker for another reason? If you have the right to stay in the Netherlands, then this right of residence also applies without the sticker. Have you received a positive decision on your application for a first residence permit? And do you want to work? Then you need a residence document or residence sticker that proves you are allowed to work. Make an appointment online for this at an IND desk or expat center.
Request an extension of your residence document if this is possible. What if an extension is not possible? Then you have to leave the Netherlands, if possible. The Dutch government understands that it may be more difficult to return during this period. But the government does expect you to try to return when your right of residence expires. Do you not return home even though there are already opportunities to do so? Then you can get an entry ban from the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee when you leave. Do you need help to return home? Please contact your country's embassy or consulate in the Netherlands (opens in new window).
You can apply for a permanent residence permit as usual. Do you not have an integration diploma because of the measures against the coronavirus? The result letter from DUO is temporarily sufficient proof that you have obtained an integration diploma. DUO is also sending diplomas via registered post. You can find more information on the DUO website.
Normally, the TB test must have been done within 3 months after the residence permit is granted. What if this is not possible within 3 months, because the GGD is temporarily not testing on tuberculosis? Because of the measures against the coronavirus, the IND is flexible in handling such cases. Make an appointment with the GGD as soon as possible, when this is possible again. Do you want to know if you can undergo a TB test (again)? Then please check the GGD website in your region, via ggd.nl (opens in new window).
You can temporarily not submit an application at an IND desk. Legally, you can continue to live in the Netherlands if you meet the conditions. This is also the case if you do not have a residence sticker in your passport. Find out what these conditions are. At the moment it is not necessary to submit an application. What if you are asked to prove your right of residence? If you explain the situation, the Royal Marechaussee and police will be flexible in handling such cases.
In other situations, it may be inconvenient not to have a residence sticker. Do you therefore still prefer to submit an application? Until 1 September 2021, you can apply for verification against EU law in writing. Please first read the conditions and then fill in the application form completely. Make sure that you fill in your address and telephone number correctly, so we can reach you. Click here for the conditions and the application form Verification against EU law (certificate of lawful residence).
If you submit this application, the family member with whom you are staying (the EU citizen) must be registered with the IND. Registration with the municipality (BRP) alone is not enough. This registration with the IND can temporarily also be done in writing only. To do this, fill in the form Registration for EU-citizens (proof of entitlement to residency status). And send this to the IND together with the application. Is your family member already registered with the IND? Then you do not have to do this again. In that case, please enclose a copy of your family member's residence document with the application.
Send the completed forms and all requested documents in 1 envelope to:
Immigration and Naturalisation Service
Postbus 16
9560 AA Ter Apel
You will receive a letter from the IND stating how you should pay the fees (costs) of your application. This letter also states that you are legally allowed to stay in the Netherlands during the procedure (lawful stay). And whether you are allowed to work in the Netherlands during the assessment of your application. The letter, together with your passport, serves as proof of lawful stay. For example for government organisations and employers. The letter temporarily replaces the residence endorsement sticker in your passport.
Have you paid the fees? Then an IND employee will call you to make an appointment at an IND desk. At that appointment you will have biometric data taken (passport photo, fingerprints and signature). Call the IND only in case of emergency. For example in these situations:
Can you prove that the coronavirus crisis is the direct reason that you are no longer meeting the income requirement? Then the right of residence will not be ended, or your application will not be rejected for that reason. However, you must have had sufficient resources when you applied at an IND desk.
Are you applying for a first residence permit for your family member? The conditions for the residence permit include that your income must be high enough (sufficient). And that you have been receiving the income for long enough (sustainable). These conditions still apply. The IND will only be flexible with regard to income requirements if you do meet the requirements at the time you apply, but after that no longer meet the requirements because of the corona crisis. Read more about the income requirements for a residence permit for you family member.
The conditions for the residence permit include the condition that your income must be high enough (sufficient). And that you have been receiving the income for long enough (sustainable). As a result of the coronavirus crisis, the IND is being more flexible with the income conditions in some situations.
Was your income already not sufficient and/or sustainable when you applied? Then the IND will not be more flexible with the income requirements.
If you no longer meet the income requirements, you are obliged to let the IND know by letter. The address can be found on the web page about post. More information about a sponsor's legal obligations can be read on the web page 'Legal obligations private sponsor'.
Normally, you are not allowed to receive social benefits if you have a residence permit as an independent entrepreneur. However, the IND understands that the corona crisis may require temporary assistance. If you apply for support under the Temporary bridging measure for self-employed professionals (Tozo), you will not lose your residence permit for this reason. This also applies to your partner or family member's residence permit if you are their sponsor. However, you must notify the IND that you are receiving support under Tozo. Find out how to do this on the page 'Legal obligations of the foreign national'. For more information about Tozo, please visit Business.gov.nl (opens in new window).
When assessing the application for a residence permit as a self-employed person (following residence as a start-up), the IND usually looks at the likelihood of the start-up being successful. A statement from a reliable business mentor (facilitator) in the Netherlands is important. The coronavirus crisis makes it difficult to assess whether a start-up will be successful. Therefore, the IND will focus on progress and collaboration during the past year and the chances of success under normal circumstances. The facilitator's statement remains important in this regard. You also still have to meet the conditions that apply to residence as a self-employed person. Find out what the conditions are on the web page 'Self-employed person'.
You must meet a monthly wage criteria. This still applies. This means that you may not earn less than the required amount that applies to you. If your employer has made use of the temporary short-time working scheme (wtv), which has now been withdrawn, the IND will handle this situation flexibly. Your residence permit will not be revoked if you temporarily receive less salary for that reason. Is your salary below the required amount for another reason? Then this may have consequences for your residence permit. The IND can withdraw the residence permit. Your employer must inform the IND if you earn less than the wage criteria.
As a student, you normally have to show that you have enough money for the coming academic year. See the income requirements for students. Due to the corona crisis, the IND is handling this income requirement flexibly. This applies to the academic year 2020-2021. And only for students who already studied in the Netherlands in 2019-2020. Do you have less income than the required amount due to the corona crisis? Your residence permit will not be revoked for that reason. You still have to inform your educational institution how much money you have for the coming year. And you still cannot apply for benefits from public funds. Do you receive money from the Temporary Bridging Scheme for Flexible Workers (TOFA)? This has no consequences for your residence permit.
The residence permit for 'orientation year for highly educated people' is valid for 1 year and cannot be extended. This is stated in the law. The government considers it too drastic to amend the law in response to the corona crisis. This is because it is unclear how quickly the situation on the labour market will improve.
What can the IND do for me?
The IND understands that the corona crisis has a large impact on the opportunities for international students to find a job as highly skilled migrants. And the IND knows that your knowledge and talent is important to the Netherlands. It has therefore been decided to expand the application of the reduced salary criteria for highly skilled migrants. The reduced salary criterion will also apply to anyone who:
This means that after the orientation year you may no longer stay in the Netherlands to look for a job. But the low salary criterion may be beneficial for you. It makes it easier for recent graduates to find a job as a highly skilled migrant in the Netherlands from abroad.
Has your residence permit expired, but are you unable to leave the Netherlands due to the measures against the coronavirus? Please read what to do under the question 'I no longer have the right to stay in the Netherlands. But I cannot travel back to my country. Is this a problem?' (under the heading Residence permit: general information)
Last updated: 11 December 2020
Information for educational institutions now under Information for educational institutions
Question 2 added - maximum permitted stay employee outside the Netherlands
Removed questions 3 and 4 (no longer relevant)
Yes, under your obligation to provide information, you must report changes to the IND within 4 weeks. For example in the following situations:
Report these and other changes that are important for the right of residence in the Business Portal or use one of the notification forms on our website. And make sure that you record these situations in your administration because of your duty to keep records. You can find more information regarding your legal obligations and the notification forms on the following web pages: Legal obligations (recognised) sponsor labour-related purposes and Legal obligations recognised sponsor researcher.
Someone with a residence permit may only be abroad for a certain period of time. How long exactly depends on the residence permit. Highly skilled migrants and scientific researchers are not allowed to work outside the Netherlands for more than a total of 8 months in a 12-month period. They must also still meet the conditions for the residence permit, such as the salary criterion, when staying outside the Netherlands. Is your employee staying outside the Netherlands for longer than the maximum permitted period? In that case, the main residence may have been moved. And the permit can be revoked or not renewed. For more information, see the 'Main residence in the Netherlands' page.
Is your employee staying abroad longer than permitted? Then you must report this to the IND. Is your employee unable to travel back to the Netherlands on time due to the coronavirus? Then you must be able to prove that there are no options for your employee to travel to the Netherlands. You report this notification via the Business Portal. Or one of the notification forms on the pages Legal obligations (recognised) sponsor labour-related purposes and Legal obligations recognised sponsor researcher.
Choose the option "other changes" in the form. And state in the comments section the reason that your employee cannot come to the Netherlands. Add supporting documents to the form. The IND assesses these reports by looking at the individual situation of the employee.
Your employee must meet certain monthly salary requirements. These still apply. See what salary requirements apply. Does your employee's salary fall below the required amount due to the measures you take? This may have an impact on the employee's residence permit. The IND can withdraw the residence permit. According to the existing obligation to provide information, if your employee no longer meets the income requirements you must report this to the IND within 4 weeks.
Report these and other changes that are important for the right of residence in the Business Portal or use one of the notification forms on our website. And make sure that you record these situations in your administration because of your duty to keep records. You can find more information regarding your legal obligations and the notification forms on the following web pages: Legal obligations (recognised) sponsor labour-related purposes and Legal obligations recognised sponsor researcher.
Last updated: 20 April 2021
Question 1 and 2 - change in maximum permitted stay outside the Netherlands for student, starting 1 September 2021
Yes, under your obligation to provide information, you must report changes to the IND within 4 weeks. For example in the following situations:
Report these and other changes that are important for the right of residence in DVS or use one of the notification forms on our website. And make sure that you record these situations in your administration because of your duty to keep records. You can find more information regarding your legal obligations and the notification forms on the page Legal obligations recognised sponsor study.
Will the student follow online education from abroad? Then a maximum stay of 12 months abroad is permitted up to and including 31 August 2021. What if the student has not returned to the Netherlands in time? Then you need to deregister the student with the IND.
Starting on 1 September 2021, a student can stay outside the Netherlands for a maximum of 6 months in a row. The same rule applied before the coronavirus crisis. What if the student stays abroad for longer than 6 months? Then the IND sees this as a change of main residence. You must deregister the student with the IND.
Examples:
There are two exceptions where the student may be outside the Netherlands for longer than 6 months in a row:
For more information, see the 'Main residence in the Netherlands' page.
This is only allowed in special cases. It is very busy at embassies and consulates that are open again. The following situation should apply:
The case is urgent. This is the case, for example, when the extended 9-month period in which the mvv must be collected is almost over. The student must be able to prove that is was not possible to collect the mvv earlier;
The student can travel to the neighboring country. There are no physical blocks and the borders are open.
As an educational institution, can you prove that this is the case? Then you can ask the IND in the usual way to change the embassy. We will then check whether your case is indeed urgent. And whether there is room at the embassy in the neighboring country. Only then the IND can give permission to collect the mvv from another embassy. Only after this an appointment can be made at the embassy in the neighboring country. We refer students who contact the IND to the educational institution.
Did the student (excluding exchange student) make too little study progress at the end of the academic year? Then the educational institution must determine whether there is a valid reason for this. This is called an excusable reason. The corona crisis can be an excusable reason for insufficient study progress. This falls under: the inability to study. Can the student follow an alternative form of education? And does the student have the opportunity to earn enough credits? Then this is not seen as an inability to study. This is also stated in the guidelines of the National Commission on the Code of Conduct (in Dutch only, opens in new window).
Does the student have an excusable reason as a result of which he makes too little study progress? Then this has no consequences for the residence permit. The student does not have to be deregistered from the IND. Reporting the reason is also not necessary. The educational institution must, however, include the reason in its administration. Want to know more about study progress and consequences for the residence permit? Please read the 'Study progress monitoring' page.
Normally, students must show that they have enough money for the coming academic year. Due to the corona crisis, the IND is handling this income requirement flexibly. This applies to the academic year 2020-2021. And only for students who already studied in the Netherlands in 2019-2020. A student's residence permit is not revoked for the reason that the student does not meet the income requirement due to the corona crisis. The student is still not allowed to apply benefits from public funds. Does the student receive money from the Temporary Bridging Scheme for Flexible Workers (TOFA)? This has no consequences for the residence permit.
If a student does not meet the income requirement, the educational institution must still report this to the IND. Fill in on the notification form: 'student temporarily does not meet the income requirement due to corona'.
Last updated: 23 April 2021 - question 8 (IOM will soon start DNA tests in Sudan, Turkey and Greece)
Yes, you can apply for family reunification. The IND is continuing to process applications for family reunification as usual. The IND is also still deciding on applications. It may take a while before you can collect your mvv.
With a valid mvv you will have access to the Netherlands, or another Schengen country. But there is a flight ban for a number of countries. Please read the 'Checklist for travel to the Netherlands' by the Dutch government. (opens in a new window).
That differs per embassy. Some embassies and consulates are open and some are closed. More information is available on the website netherlandsandyou.nl (opens in new window).
The IND can still approve your application. At the same time the IND also gives the Ministry of Foreign Affairs permission to issue the mvv.
Your family member has 6 months to pick up your mvv. Is your family member unable to collect your mvv within 6 months due to the coronavirus? The embassy or consulate will handle this flexibly if your family member still collects the mvv within 3 months after the 6 months. At your appointment, your family member must explain that he could not pick up the mvv sooner because of the corona crisis. The mvv must be collected within 9 months after the positive decision from the IND.
Will your family member be able to travel to the Netherlands soon? But is the mvv no longer valid? Your family member can make a new appointment as soon as the embassy or consulate reopens. This appointment has to take place within 90 days after the current mvv expires. At the appointment your family member will have to explain that he or she could not travel with the mvv because of the measures. The embassy or consulate will then reissue the mvv.
Has it been more than 90 days since the mvv expired? Or was your family member unable to pick up the mvv within 9 months? Then the embassy or consulate cannot simply reissue the mvv. You must then make a new application first. The IND has made a special short application form for this. Download the short form: repeat application further to problems with first Regular Provisional Residence Permit (mvv) as a result of the coronavirus. This form is shorter, because we have already decided positively on your previous application. We still have all your data in our system. That is why you do not have to send all data and documents again. This also allows the IND to make a faster decision on your application. You will receive a decision from us within 4 weeks. That is why you will not receive a letter from us that we have received your application. You only receive the decision. You can follow your application online on My IND. Read more about My IND. You can only use this short form once. Therefore, only use the form if you can actually travel to the Netherlands. Or if you can go to the embassy.
Please note, this only applies if there have been no changes in your situation since the moment you applied for your previous mvv. Or in the situation of your family members. Have there been any changes in the meantime? Then you have to send the normal (long) application form. Download the normal application form: Application for a ‘Regular Provisional Residence Permit - persons making a journey in connection with family reunification with an asylum seeker’ (647). Do you send the short form and does the IND see that there has been changes in your situation? Then you still have to send the normal application form.
This is only allowed in the following situation:
• You (the sponsor) have an asylum residence permit and your application for family reunification has been approved;
• Your family member can travel to the neighbouring country. There are no physical restrictions and the borders are open;
• The embassy or consulate in the neighbouring country has time and room to take over your case. The IND will look into this.
The IND must give permission to collect your mvv at another embassy. Therefore, call your contact person at the IND. You can find the telephone number in the letter from the IND stating that your family member will receive an mvv. The contact person will then check whether you can collect an mvv in a neighbouring country. And whether there is room at the embassy in the neighbouring country. Do you get permission? Only then you can make an appointment at the embassy to collect your mvv.
The IND understands that the measures may make it more difficult to send documents on time. Please get in touch with your contact at the IND if you cannot respond to the letter in time.
Embassies abroad have started making appointments for DNA tests again. But this still happens very little. From 1 May 2021, IOM will start collecting DNA from your family members in Sudan, Turkey and Greece. Your contact person at the IND will ask IOM to collect DNA material. IOM will then call your family member to make an appointment for the DNA test.
At the IND desk in Utrecht, we also make appointments with sponsors for a DNA test. An employee of the IND desk makes this appointment for you and will inform your contact person. Your contact person sends you a letter stating when you have the appointment for the DNA test.
At some embassies interviews can be held through video conferencing. These embassies will start conducting identity interviews again.
This depends on the country from which your family member traveled. Before departure, check the travel advice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (BZ) (Dutch page) for the country from which your family member is leaving. In it you can read whether your family member must self-quarantine for 10 days upon arrival in the Netherlands (opens in a new window). Do you live at a COA reception center? Then your family member can self-quarantine there. After arriving in the Netherlands, you or your family member must call the MVV line for an appointment in Ter Apel. This appointment is not scheduled until the 10 days of self-quarantine are over.
You or your family member must call the MVV line for an appointment in Ter Apel. This is allowed from the moment that your familiy member booked the flight to the Netherlands. The telephone number is 088 - 0432129. This number is available from 9 am to 4 pm on working days.
Last updated: 4 May 2021
No, the IND is still reviewing and deciding on applications received. Please, therefore submit your application as soon as possible. From August 2020, the IND will no longer send an invitation letter to newly registered UK nationals. Have you not received an invitation but are you entitled to a residence document? You can apply immediately. You will be notified as soon as we take a decision by letter.
Yes, you can make an appointment online
yourself to have your biometrics (passport photo, fingerprints and signature)
taken. The IND needs your biometric details to prepare your residence
document. Make an appointment online at the IND.
Starting 12 August 2020, UK nationals and their family members will have their residence documents delivered to them at home. The IPKD (Interdepartementale Post- en Koeriersdienst) will deliver the residence documents on behalf of the IND. Read more about the delivery of your residence document after Brexit.
Last updated: 28 April 2021 - question about curfew deleted
Are you coming to Ter Apel application centre for the first time to apply for asylum? Then you will be given a quick coronavirus test by the GGD the day you arrive. Or if you arrive at night, the following day. You will get the results within half an hour. What if you do not have the coronavirus? Then you will go to the Aliens Police Department for registration of your personal details. If the test shows that you do have the coronavirus, then you will first be placed in isolation. You can apply for asylum only once you have recovered.
After the medical check, the AVIM (Aliens Police) does the identification and registration. They also let asylum seekers sign the asylum application. Asylum seekers can then make use of the reception at COA. After a few days, the asylum seeker will have the first interview with the IND: the reporting interview. The interview will take place at an IND location or via video-conferencing. This happens through a video connection on a computer with an IND employee. The interpreter also joins the conversation via a video connection. You can find more information about video-conferencing in the letters on our asylum page under the heading 'more information'.
For safety, plastic screens are placed in between all persons in the interview room. Also, the same measures apply that apply in other places at the IND. So for IND employees, interpreters and asylum seekers this means:
It is important that you adhere to these measures. Are you not complying with these measures? Then you are not allowed to access the building. This can also have consequences for your application.
Stay home if you answer 'yes' to any of these questions. We also ask these questions when you enter one of our IND locations.
If you answer yes to any of these questions, then cancel your appointment. Find out more about coronavirus symptoms on the RIVM website.
Tell a COA staff member that you cannot go to your interview. COA will call the IND to reschedule your interview. The IND will immediately reschedule your interview for you. Within a few days you and your lawyer will receive a new invitation. The new interview will be 4 or 5 weeks after the date on which you receive the invitation. Do you still have symptoms at that time? Then the IND will reschedule your interview again.
The IND normally has 6 months to decide on an application for asylum. This period is called the decision period. On 15 May 2020, it was decided that the IND will have 6 months longer to decide. This applies to you if you have applied for asylum and the decision period on 20 May 2020 was not over yet. Even if the IND has previously extended the decision period for your application.
No, the decision period will not be extended for applications in which we are already too late to decide. The IND will decide on these applications as soon as possible. The decision of the State Secretary does not change that.
The IND has been given an extra 6 months, because all the asylum procedures were temporarily suspended due to the corona measures. The IND is currently restarting normal procedures as much as possible. The IND has, for example, started with interviews via video-conferencing since April. But we can still do less interviews than before the corona crisis. Many steps of this procedure take more time. This is because, for example, extra spaces and equipment are needed. That is why the State Secretary for Justice and Security has taken this decision (opens in new window, only available in Dutch).
No, you will not receive a letter. The IND will inform you and your care providers on this website.
Asylum seekers can apply for asylum at the application centre in Ter Apel as normal. Their procedure will start in Ter Apel or Budel. Asylum seekers will have a medical check in Ter Apel. There, they will be checked for coronavirus symptoms (temperature measurement). They also get information about the measures to prevent infection of the coronavirus.
Yes, the residents have received information about the coronavirus and the measures being taken.
This is different in every case and for every country. The Repatriation and Departure Service (DT&V) reviews this case by case, every day.
The border procedure remains the same. This means that people can still apply for asylum at the external border (such as Schiphol). The IND is handling these applications from asylum seekers as part of the border procedure. This means that the asylum seeker stays in border detention during the border procedure. Applications from families and unaccompanied minor asylum seekers are not processed under the border procedure. At the moment, there is a longer rest and preparation period for the border procedure. This gives a better picture of an asylum seeker's health when the investigation into the asylum application begins. The IND decides on border procedure applications within 4 weeks.
You can apply for a permanent asylum residence permit as usual. Do you not have an integration diploma because of the measures against the coronavirus? The result letter from DUO is temporarily sufficient proof that you have obtained an integration diploma. DUO is also sending diplomas via registered post. You can find more information on the DUO website.
Last updated: 19 June 2020 - exams for integration
You can apply for naturalisation or to become Dutch through the option procedure at your town hall (gemeente). Please visit your municipality's website to find out if you can make an appointment. Or contact your municipality.
Yes, the IND is continuing to process applications for naturalisation that come in via the municipality. This applies to new applications and applications that the IND has already received.
Do you not have an integration diploma because of the measures against the coronavirus? The result letter from DUO is temporarily sufficient proof that you have obtained an integration diploma. This shows what scores you have achieved on each part. You still have to send the diploma after you get it. DUO is also sending diplomas via registred post. You can find more information on the DUO website.
Yes, since Monday 15 June 2020 civic integration exams are taking place again. Find out more about integration on inburgeren.nl (opens in new window).
That varies from one municipality to another. The ceremonies can only continue if the government measures can be followed. In some municipalities there is no ceremony, but you can make the declaration of solidarity in writing. It will be posted to your home address. This way you can make the declaration of solidarity in time. Later you will also receive the decision stating that you have become Dutch by post. Would you like to know how your municipality has arranged this? Please visit your municipality's website. Or contact your municipality.
The IND understands that at the moment it may be difficult to start or complete the renunciation procedure. Embassies and consulates may be less available, for example. Please notify the IND if it is not possible to send proof of your request for renunciation, or an official declaration of renunciation of your nationality to the IND on time (within the required period). We will then check whether the period can be extended. Call the telephone number of Team Afstand (the Renunciation Team). You can find the number at the top right of the letter you received from the IND about renouncing your nationality. If you no longer have the letter, call the IND's general telephone number.
IOM helps IND collecting DNA in asylum related applications for family reunification
Temporary easing of the requirement of authorisation for a temporary stay (MVV) due to COVID-19