Frequently asked questions

This depends on whether you are married and what country you would move to.

You are married or registered partners

Moving abroad will not change anything for the application for naturalisation. This only does not apply when you move to the country of your partner's nationality. You cannot become a Dutch citizen when living in the country of which you have the nationality.

You are unmarried partners

A move abroad does have implications for the application for naturalisation. This is because as unmarried partners you must live together in the Netherlands for the entire naturalisation process.

Is there maintenance or a malfunction at DigiD?

DigiD is not part of the IND. Do you want to know if there is maintenance or a malfunction with DigiD? Then please check logius.nl (Dutch only).

Is there no maintenance or malfunction at DigiD but you are unable to log in with your DigiD?

This may have a number of causes:

• You are not using the correct username or password. Check that you are using the correct data. Pay attention to upper and lower case letters.
• You have not activated your DigiD. First activate your DigiD with the activation code you received by letter.
• Your DigiD is blocked. Wait until the blockage is lifted after the specified time and try again.
• Your DigiD has expired because it has not been used for three years. If so, reapply for your DigiD.

Your software on your computer or mobile device may also no longer meet DigiD's minimum security requirements. Since 13 May 2019, it is no longer possible to log in with DigiD if you are using an outdated operating system.

How can I check if my operating system and software meet the minimum requirements?

To check whether your operating system and browser meet the minimum requirements, go to the following website: https://crl.pkioverheid.nl/pkiotest/ (Dutch only).

If you then see two green areas, your operating system and browser meet the minimum requirements. If this is not the case, please update your operating system and also your browser to the latest version. Use the manual or help function of your operating system and browser to perform the update.　

You can also log in with another device that does have the correct operating system and browser.

Check whether you have completed all the fields on the page. Then click 'next'.

Make sure your internet browser (Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox, Chrome) is up-to-date or the 'next' button won't work. 
Update your browser and try again.

​The renunciation requirement applies to you also. Because your nationality cannot be determined does not mean you are designated as a 'stateless person'. In the legal procedure concerning foreign nationals you indicated a nationality, and under this nationality you received your residence permit. You must renounce this nationality.

Many questions have explanations. Click on the link with the question. You will find a pop-up text with an explanation of the question.

Are you mentioned on the back of the residence card as the parent with whom the minor child is staying? Then you are a social sponsor. You can submit an application for an extension of the residence permit of your minor child. You use your own DigiD to log in.

In general, you can only upload documents that are requested on the form.

Did you already send in your online or written application and now you want to upload additional documents? You may do this as long as no decision has yet been made about your application. Upload the additional documents as follows:

• Go to Uploading documents after your application. Upload documents by using the link in that section.

You need Digid with sms code to upload. Also keep your case number handy. You can find the case number on the confirmation of receipt.

You have to send a photo card to the IND in the mail. You cannot upload the photo card because the quality of the photograph is not good enough.

Contact the IND. We can check to see whether we have received your application properly.

If the IND has not received your application, then we will deposit the money back into your bank account. Please submit a new application.

​Excess payments will be automatically deposited in your bank account. You need not take any action in this regard.

​If you want to save your application and complete it later, follow these steps:

1. In your online application find the menu button (upper left of the page)
2. Click 'Save'.

Often you will get a follow-up question depending on your browser/browser preferences.

For example, are you working with Internet Explorer? Then below on your screen you will see the text: 'Do you want to open or save the file?' If you choose 'save', Internet Explorer will normally save this file in the Downloads folder. The file is now in the Downloads folder. The saved file has the extension .tfa.

Now your online application has been temporarily saved on your own computer.

You can find the saved application using these steps:

1. Go to the website and click on the online application form you need.
2. Log in with your DigiD and sms code.
3. Click the menu button (upper left of the screen) and select 'Open'.
4. Click 'Select a file'. This opens the Explorer/Finder.
5. Go to the Downloads folder.
6. In the Downloads folder, select the .tfa file you saved before.

No, that is not possible. The fee is paid for reviewing the application. 

• You are not a foreign national anymore. You are included in the Personal Records Database (in Dutch: Basisregistratie Personen or BRP) of the Netherlands. You can also apply for a Dutch passport.
• You no longer need a residence permit. Therefore you no longer have to meet the requirements for a residence permit.
• You can stay abroad for a longer pe riod without any problems.
• You are allowed to vote in all Dutch elections.
• You are an EU citizen. You are allowed to vote in European elections. It will also be easier for you to move to another EU country.
• You will be allowed to work in all public positions. For example as mayor, police officer, soldier or judge.

The IND does not provide information on the status of your application as long as a decision has not been made. In most situations, a (statutory) decision period applies. The IND can make use of the entire decision period to process your application.

Follow your application in My IND.

Do you not have DigiD? And has the decision period ended? Please, call the IND.

Have you applied for asylum and are you waiting for a decision? Find out more information about the processing of asylum applications on our page about processing times.

If you would like information on your application (requirements, requested documentation, decision period, letters sent by the IND), we advise you to check our website first.

If you have any additional questions, you can call us at 0880 - 430 430 (normal charges apply, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm).

Have you received a letter from the employee who is processing your application and do you have specific questions concerning this application? Then, you can contact the employee who is processing your application directly. For instance, if you cannot provide us in time with requested documentation.

You will find the direct phone number of the employee concerned in those letters (under ‘Contactpersoon’).
 

If you have sent an application to the IND, a notification of receipt will be sent to your home address.  You can follow your application in My IND. Does the application have the status 'received'? Then the IND has received your application.

An application that is submitted online usually is visible after a few minutes. Can't see your application after a few minutes? Then something is wrong. Please, don't call immediately. One of our employees will check your application. After a maximum of 5 days your application will be visible in My IND. A written application is registered in about 10 days. 

If you have lived in another EU Member State as a Dutch national, you have used the EU law to free movement of people. You may therefore be seen as a community citizen. You partner can apply for a residence document family member of an EU citizen if all of the following conditions are met:

• You have both lived in that other EU Member State.
• You have met the conditions of EU Community Law during the whole period you lived in that EU Member State. This means that your right of residence as an EU citizen has not been revoked due to for instance an appeal on social benefits.
• You have lived together for at least 3 months in that Member State. 

Read more on the page Dutch nationals and EU law.

​The V-number is your number as a foreign national (vreemdeling). You receive such a number as soon as you initiate the application for a residence permit. You'll find the number as a reference in letters from the IND and on the back of your residence document.

A researcher that wants to apply for a residence permit highly skilled migrant, needs to have an employment contract (or appointment decision). A researcher based on the Directive (EU) 2016/801 only needs a hosting agreement.