Statelessness document (S-document)

You can obtain a statelessness document if you meet both requirements:

• You do not have a Dutch residence permit. You also do not have an ongoing application for residence in the Netherlands.
• You have a court decision determining that you are stateless. Or you are evidently stateless. When you apply for an S-document, the IND checks whether you are evidently stateless.

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• 1. Check requirements open minus

  A valid provisional residence permit (MVV) is needed for this application

  Make sure you meet the requirements.

• 1. Check requirements open minus

  Make sure you meet the requirements.

• 2. Collect documents open minus

  The application form lists which documents you need. Collect all documents before you apply. 

  Have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.

• 2. Collect documents open minus

  The application form lists which documents you need. Collect all documents before you apply.

  Have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.

• 3. Apply open minus

  You submit the application in writing by post. The IND needs your passport photo, signature and fingerprints for your application. After the IND has received your application, you will receive a letter to make an appointment for biometrics.

• 4. Pay for application open minus

  The application costs € 228,00. Are you under 18? Then you pay € 76,00. For all fees and exceptions, visit our web page Fees: costs of an application.

  You will receive a letter if you have your biometrics taken at the IND desk. The letter states how you will pay the costs.

• 5. Wait for decision on application open minus

  The IND must take a decision within 8 weeks. This is called the decision period. 

  We can extend the decision period if it takes longer to decide. For example, because the application is not complete. In that case, the IND will send a message.

• 6. Decision on application open minus

  The decision is in the form of a letter. The decision is positive or negative.

  • Positive decision: you will receive a S-document.
  • Negative decision: you will not receive a S-document. You can object against this decision.
• 7. Collect document statelessness open minus

  When the residence permit is ready at an IND desk, you will receive a letter. You must make an appointment to collect it. Make an appointment to collect the residence document.

With the statelessness document you show that you are stateless. A statelessness document (S-document) is not a valid proof of identity. It is not a residence permit. You also cannot travel abroad with it.

Validity of residence permit

The statelessness document is valid for 5 years. 

Other applications

Replacement of the statelessness document

Has your statelessness document been damaged, lost or stolen? Then have the residence permit replaced. Visit the web page residence permit damaged or change of personal details  or residence permit lost or stolen.

• Determining statelessness