The IND in figures

The number of applications for residence permits has already been increasing for a longer time. And this is expected to increase even more in the years to come. Moreover this does not make the work of the IND easier. Increasingly more substantiation is needed to decide on a residence application. Notwithstanding that the IND does more than can be expected of the organisation on the basis of the agreed capacity, the number of cases that have been outstanding for a long time is increasing.

Each month the IND publishes a survey of the main current figures and developments.

Monthly figures May 2026

Asylum: First asylum applications

The IND made 1,760 decisions on first asylum applications in the last month before the implementation of the European Asylum and Migration Pact. The IND received 2,150 new applications in the fifth month of this year. The number of pending applications increased slightly from 47,500 to 47,880.

Asylum: Dublin procedure (track 1)

The IND is able to monitor the number of applications in the Dublin procedure closely and it made 280 decisions in May. The caseload is still relatively high because the IND is waiting for responses from the Member States in which the applicants previously applied for asylum. In preparation for the European Asylum and Migration Pact coming into force, the IND recently resumed making claims to countries that had suspended taking over asylum applications under the Dublin procedure.

Asylum: Safe Country procedure (Track 2)

The number of track 2 asylum applications — consisting of asylum applications from EU citizens and from applicants who have already been granted protection elsewhere in the EU — is low. In accordance with the agreement, the IND has prioritised and monitored these incoming applications.

Asylum: General and extended asylum procedure (Track 4)

The IND made 2,010 decisions in the general and extended asylum procedure in May. In May, 2,300 applications were received and the number of pending applications increased from 51,580 to 51.880.

Asylum family reunification

The IND made decisions on 2,150 applications for family reunification in May. There were 490 new applications. The number of pending applications decreased from 47,050 to 45,380. Last year in May the number of pending applications was 61,850.

Relatives and family

The IND processes the vast majority of applications for residence with family or a partner within three months. It made 2,530 decisions in these cases in May and a further 5,700 applications are pending.

Residence permit knowledge and talent

Permits for knowledge and talent cover highly skilled migrants, graduates who are embarking on an orientation year, and workers who have been transferred to a European branch of their company. The IND processes the vast majority of applications within a month. In May, 1,540 decisions were taken on these kinds of applications and 1,470new applications were received.

Study

There is always a peak in applications for study permits during the summer and in November and December and the IND takes measures to ensure that decisions on these applications can be made quickly. The IND received 2,850 such applications in May and made 1,920 decisions.

Labour migration

The IND made 490 decisions on work migrant applications in May and received 930 new applications. Labour migration involves permits for paid employment, work as a self-employed person or start-up, cross-border services and applications based on the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty.

Naturalisation

The IND made decisions on 5,590 naturalisation applications in May, with a total of 3,290 people actually proceeding to apply for Dutch nationality.

Service desk

Applicants made a total of 19,090 appointments to collect residence documents from the IND desks in May and only had to wait for 5 days on average. A total of 18,990 appointments were made to provide biometrics (fingerprints, signature and photos). It was possible to make appointments within 4 days on average.