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 November 2025

Asylum: First asylum applications

The IND decided on 1,920 first asylum applications in November. This is fewer than expected at the beginning of this year (3,340). This difference is largely because the case processing is taking longer than expected when the 2025 forecast was prepared. The number of outstanding applications increased from 47,620 to 48,190.

Asylum: Dublin procedure (track 1)

The IND is able to closely monitor the number of applications in the Dublin procedure. All outstanding applications (770) are in process. The IND is awaiting a response from the Member States where the applicants have previously sought asylum.

Asylum: Safe Country procedure (Track 2)

The safe country policy was suspended on 23 September 2025 following a ruling of the Council of State. This means that these applications can no longer be processed in the fast track procedure ("track 2"). The IND continues to prioritize applications from former safe country applicants under the general asylum procedure ("track 4"). Track 2 remains open only to asylum applications from EU citizens and applicants who have already been given protection elsewhere in the EU. This involves a very small number of applications.

Asylum: General and extended asylum procedure (Track 4)

The IND decided on 2,500 applications in the general and extended asylum procedure in November. That is fewer than planned (3,220), but the case processing is very time consuming. The number of outstanding applications decreased from 51,850 to 51,790.

Asylum family reunification

In November, the IND decided on 2,120 applications for asylum family reunification. There were 1,020 new applications. The total number of outstanding applications decreased from 54,660 to 53,550.

Relatives and family

The IND processes the vast majority of applications for residence with family or partner within three months. In November, the IND decided on 3,300 of these type of applications. A further 5,390 applications are pending.

Residence permit knowledge and talent

Permits for knowledge and talent cover highly skilled migrants, graduates with an orientation year, and workers transferred to a European branch of their company. The IND processes the vast majority of applications within a month. In November, the IND decided on 1,490 of these kinds of applications. Another 1,550 new applications were received.

Study

The IND takes into account a peak period during the summer and in November and December, and can therefore decide on these applications within a short time span. The IND received 2,390 applications in November and decided on 1,740 applications.

Labour migration

In November, there were 620 decisions on applications from work migrants. The IND received 530 new applications. Labour migration includes permits for paid employment, work as a self-employed person or a start-up, cross-border service provision and applications based on the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty.

Naturalization

In November, the IND decided on 4,600 naturalisation applications. A total of 4,280 people applied for Dutch nationality.

Service desk

In November, applicants scheduled a total of 27,300 appointments to collect a residence document at the IND desks. They were able to get an appointment within an average of 10 days. Another 42,220 appointments were scheduled for providing biometrics (fingerprints, signature and photos). The IND recently began taking biometrics from Ukrainians. On average, the first appointment opportunity was within 9 days.