The IND in figures
In March, the IND made 1,840 decisions in this procedure. This is lower than the planned 3,340, but 300 more than in February. The number of new applications decreased from 1,540 to 1,330. For comparison: in March 2024, the IND received 3,060 applications. The number of pending applications decreased from 45,660 to 45,150.
Asylum: Dublin procedure (track 1)
In the Dublin procedure, the IND decided on 430 applications in March. Although this is lower than estimated (580), the IND did make more decisions than the number of applications received (260). As a result, the number of pending applications will further decrease from 1,130 to 950.
Asylum: Safe Country procedure (Track 2)
In the safe countries procedure, 60 decisions were made. This was lower than estimated (190, due to a reduction in the number of new cases. 20 applications were received in March. This number has not been this low in the whole of 2024 and the first months of this year. As more decisions were made than the number of the applications received, the number of pending applications has fallen to 130.
Asylum: General and extended asylum procedure (Track 4)
In March, the IND handled 2,150 general and extended asylum procedure cases. That is 40 more than last month, but lower than estimated (3,220). This is because the IND handles more complex cases and also due to the decision freeze on Syrian applications. Since 1,890 new applications were received, the number of pending applications fell from 50,950 to 50,690.
Asylum: Family members who have joined the asylum seekers later
The IND has fulfilled the assignment regarding the asylum family reunification applications. In total, the IND made 2,720 decisions, 400 more than estimated. The expansion of capacity therefore appears to be producing results. The number of new applications fell from 1,970 to 1,160. In March 2024, the IND received 4,700 applications. The total number of pending applications fell from 66,540 to 64,980.
Family and relatives
The number of decisions on applications to stay with a family member amounted to 3,870 in the third month of 2025. The number of new applications was 3,220. In March, 5,980 applications were being processed. The majority of them (3,690) have been pending for less than 3 months.
Residence permit knowledge and talent
Permits for knowledge and talent are for highly skilled migrants, graduates with a orientation year and employees who have been transferred to a European branch of the company. In March, the IND made 1,710 decisions on these types of applications. 1,650 new applications were received.
Study
The IND anticipates a peak in applications during the summer and in November and December, and can therefore decide on these applications in a short time. The winter peak has now passed. The IND received 80 applications in March and made 100 decisions.
Migrant workers
The number of decisions on applications from migrant workers amounted to 490 in March. A total of 540 applications were made. Migration for work includes permits for paid employment, as a self-employed person/start-up, for cross-border service providers and applications in the context of the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty.
Naturalization
In March, the IND decided on 4,290 applications for naturalisation. In total, 4,810 people applied for Dutch nationality.
Service desk
In March, a total of 21,700 appointments were made for issuing residence documents at the IND desks. On average, applicants could come to the desk for an appointment after 3 days. The number of appointments for biometrics (fingerprints and photos) reached 17,360. The first available appointment for biometrics was on average after 2 days.