Forced return to your country of origin

Last updated: 3/15/2023, 8:44 AM

If you do not return independently to your country of origin, the Dutch government can forcibly return you. You can read more about that on this page.

Asylum application rejected

If the

Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND)
rejects your asylum application, the government agency
Repatriation and Departure Service (DT&V)
will contact you about departure to your country of origin. This does not mean that you have to leave the Netherlands immediately.

If your lawyer appeals the INDundefineds ruling, you may often wait for the decision of the court in the Netherlands.

Independent return

If the IND has definitively rejected your asylum application, you will receive a letter about this. This is called the undefinedbeschikkingundefined.

This means that the Dutch government requires you to return to your country of origin. If you choose to return, you can get support from different organisations.

Forced return

If you choose not to cooperate in returning to your country of origin, the Dutch government may impose a security deposit that you will get back when you leave.

If the government thinks you intend to stay in the Netherlands illegally, you can be placed in immigration detention. This means you have to stay in a kind of prison until you are forcibly returned to your country of origin.

The journey

Forced departures are usually made by plane via regular flights. Sometimes a special flight is used for them. For example, when many people from the same country return to their country of origin at the same time.

If there are indications that you are going to resist deportation, employees of the

Royal Netherlands Marechaussee
will accompany you during your journey. Sometimes a DTundefinedV employee will accompany you on the plane to provide guidance. For example, if there are minors on the journey.

Little to no support

Opportunities for reintegration support are limited if you are forcibly returned to your country of origin.

In some situations, you can receive reintegration support. This support consists of items and/or assistance with a maximum value of €1,000.