Frequently asked questions

When you applied for a residence permit, you stated your nationality. You received your residence permit with this nationality. If you want to apply for Dutch citizenship, you must renounce your nationality. Different rules apply to a person who is stateless.

This depends on your situation. In most cases, you must continue living in the Netherlands until your naturalisation is completed. This means until after the naturalisation ceremony. During this entire period, you must have a valid residence permit or the right of residence under EU law.

Married to a Dutch national

Do you live with your Dutch partner and are you married or registered partners? Then nothing changes for your application for naturalisation if you move to another country together. However, you are not allowed to move to a country of which you currently have the nationality. And you must continue living together as married or registered partners until your naturalisation is complete.

Living together without being married

Do you live together without being married? Then the IND may reject your application if you move abroad. This is because, as unmarried partners, you must continue to live in the Netherlands until your naturalisation is complete.

• You no longer need a residence permit. Therefore, you no longer have to meet the requirements for a residence permit.
• You are included in the Personal Records Database (in Dutch: Basisregistratie Personen or BRP) of the Netherlands.
•  You can apply for a Dutch passport.
• You can stay abroad for a longer period.
• You are allowed to vote in all Dutch elections.
• You are an EU citizen. You are allowed to vote in European elections.
• It will be easier for you to move to another EU country.
• You will be allowed to work in all public positions. For example as a mayor, police officer, soldier or judge.

No, you do no need to provide proof of income when you apply for a residence permit orientation year. You will have to sustain yourself during the orientation year, but you do not have to show how. You will be allowed to work during your orientation year.

During the orientation year, you are not allowed to use public funds.

No, you cannot. When you have studied abroad, you should at least have obtained a master's degree. 

You can only apply for the orientation year if you have done scientific research at an educational institution or at a research institution funded or subsidized by the Dutch government. 

Your letter of appointment or employment contract must state the job title and job code as drawn up in the University Job Classification System (Universitair Functieordeningssysteem (UFO) in Dutch). Your job code should start with 01.

With the orientation year you will have time to find a job as a highly skilled migrant in the Netherlands. During the orientation year you can work freely in the Netherlands. This means that your employer does not need a work permit for you. And your employer only has to pay at least the legal minimum wage (including holiday allowance). You can also use the orientation year to start your own business. 

Did you find a job as a highly skilled migrant? In that case a reduced salary criterion applies to you. This makes it easier and less expensive for an employer to hire you. You keep the reduced salary criterion, also when you change employers. Read the requirements for a residence permit for highly skilled migrant. 

No, this is not necessary. You can work freely in the Netherlands during the orientation year. Your employer can wait until the end of your orientation year before he applies for a new residence permit. Do make sure that your employer applies before your residence permit for an orientation year ends. In this way, there will be no gap between your residence permits orientation year and highly skilled migrant. There will then also be no gap in your legal stay.

Yes, it is possible. You do have to meet all the requirements for the residence permits for Family and partner. 

Requirement sufficient income

Do your family members already have a Dutch residence permit? In this case, you do not need to prove that you have sufficient income. 

Do your family members not have a Dutch residence permit yet? In this case, you need to prove that you do have sufficient income. In the next 2 situations, you will meet the income requirements:

• You have a job that gives you and independent, sufficient and sustainable income.
• You have an amount in your bank account equal to 12 times the social assistance benefit (in Dutch: bijstandsnorm) including holiday allowance.

In both situations you and your family members are not allowed to apply for public funds. 

 

Do you live in the Netherlands? Then contact the municipality where you live.

Do you live abroad? Then contact the Dutch embassy or consulate abroad.