The asylum procedure

When you apply for asylum in the Netherlands, the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) investigates whether you are entitled to a residence permit. Below you can read more about the asylum procedure, the waiting period and your rights.

Highlights

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Registering in Ter Apel

If you want to apply for asylum in the Netherlands, you have to go to the registration centre in the village of Ter Apel. Here you apply for asylum and talk to the Dutch police.

The 1st interview with the IND

Your 1st interview will be with the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). During this interview, the IND will ask questions about you and your journey to the Netherlands. Read below about how you can prepare for the interview.

The 2nd interview with the IND

You have the 2nd interview with the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). This is an important interview for your asylum application. You explain in detail why you fled. You will be appointed a lawyer and undergo a medical examination.

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Requirements for a residence permit

You can get asylum in the Netherlands if you meet certain conditions. The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) will assess your application for asylum. Read here about how to properly explain why you are requesting asylum.

Waiting for the 2nd interview with the IND

After the 1st interview with the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), you have to wait for the 2nd interview. Use the waiting period to prepare yourself. The waiting period takes more than 1 year on average.

Submitting documents to the IND

During your asylum procedure, you submit documents to the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). These documents prove your refugee story. Read about which documents you need to submit and how to send them.

The IND makes a decision on your asylum application

After the 2nd interview, the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) will make a decision. The IND can approve or reject your asylum application. Or the IND needs more time. Read more about the decision here.

Appealing the IND's decision

The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) has rejected your asylum application. What can you do if you disagree with this rejection? Read here about appealing to the Dutch court.

The Dublin Procedure

The police in Ter Apel see that you have been previously registered in another European country. Another European country must therefore process your asylum application. The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) determines that you will enter the Dublin procedure.

Safe country of origin

If you are from a country that is safe according to the Dutch government, your asylum application will be processed in a fast-track procedure. There is a good chance that the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) will reject your asylum application.

The extended asylum procedure

If the IND needs more time to process your asylum application, you will switch to the Extended Asylum Procedure (VA). The IND decides after the 2nd interview whether you will switch to the VA. The VA can take a few months or longer.