The IND in figures

In May, the IND made 1,510 decisions in this procedure. This is fewer than the planned 3,340 and fewer than in the previous seven months. A significant part of this difference can be explained by the Syria decision and departure moratorium that was in effect, which meant that no decisions could be made on Syrian cases. As a result, the IND handled more complex cases. The number of new applications increased from 1,560 to 1,790. For comparison: in May 2024, the IND received 2,830 applications. The number of pending applications increased from 45,120 to 45,400.

Asylum: Dublin procedure (track 1) 

In May, the IND provided clarity on 210 applications in the Dublin procedure. Although this is fewer than the budgeted 580, the IND made more decisions than the number of applications received (160). As a result, the number of pending applications further decreased from 840 to 790.

Asylum: Safe Country procedure (Track 2)

In the safe country procedure, the number of decisions was 50, which was lower than the budgeted 190. This is due to a decrease in new cases, with 20 applications received in May. This number has not been this low throughout 2024 and the first months of this year. Since the IND made more decisions than new applications received, the number of pending applications decreased to 150.

Asylum: General and extended asylum procedure (Track 4)

In May, the IND processed 2,030 cases under the general and extended asylum procedures. This is 10 more than last month but still less than the budgeted 3,220. This is because the IND handled more complex cases, partly due to the decision freeze on Syrian applications in recent months. With 2,350 new applications received, the number of pending applications increased from 50,840 to 51,160.

Asylum: Family members who have joined the asylum seekers later

The IND made 1,960 decisions on residence extension applications, which is 360 fewer than budgeted. The number of new applications decreased from 1,010 to 740. In May 2024, the IND received 3,510 applications. The total number of pending applications decreased from 63,270 to 62,050.

Family and relatives

In May, the number of decisions related to family and household applications was 3,150. The number of new applications was 3,060. During the same month, 5,800 applications were under consideration. The majority of these (3,690) have been open for less than three months.

Residence permit knowledge and talent

Permits for Knowledge and Talent include, among others, highly skilled migrants, graduates with a search year, and employees transferred to a European branch of their company. In May, the IND made 1,470 decisions on these types of applications. An equal number of 1,470 new applications were received.

Study

The IND anticipates a peak during summer, as well as in November and December, and can therefore process these applications quickly. The summer peak has now begun. In May, the IND received 3,780 applications and made 2,570 decisions.

Migrant workers

In May, the number of decisions on labor migration applications was 580. A total of 550 applications were submitted. These include permits for employment in paid work, as self-employed or startup entrepreneurs, for cross-border services, and applications under the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty.

Naturalization

In May, the IND decided on 3,370 naturalization applications. In total, 3,480 people applied for Dutch nationality.

Service desk

In May, a total of 20,580 appointments were scheduled for issuing residence documents at service desks. Applicants could, on average, make an appointment after 3 days. The number of appointments for biometric collection (fingerprints and photos) was 17,120. The first available appointment was, on average, after 2 days.