The asylum procedure
Are you applying for asylum in the Netherlands? If so, the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) will assess whether you are eligible for protection. The IND will also determine which asylum procedure applies to you. Below you can see the different asylum procedures available. For each procedure, you can read about the steps involved.
Step-by-step plans (3)
The accelerated or non-accelerated asylum procedure
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The border procedure: how to apply for asylum when you arrive at an airport or port
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Asylum and Migration Management Regulation procedure: how the asylum procedure works if you have previously applied for asylum in another country
Information
The extended asylum procedure
The Asylum and Migration Pact came into force on 12 June. For asylum applications submitted after 12 June 2026, the option of an extended asylum procedure will no longer be available. This article is therefore only relevant to asylum seekers who were already in the extended asylum procedure (VA) before 12 June.
What can you do if the IND is late in making a decision on your asylum application?
The IND must reach a decision on your asylum application within the prescribed time limit. If the IND fails to do so, you can formally request that it reach a decision within two weeks. This is known as ‘in gebreke stellen’ (giving notice of default). Read this article to find out how it works.
This is what you can do if the IND rejects your asylum application
Has the IND rejected your asylum application? If so, you may sometimes be able to appeal to the court. In this article, you can find out what an appeal involves, why you should contact your lawyer as soon as possible, and what the court may decide.
If the IND definitively rejects your asylum application, you may sometimes be able to submit a new application
Are there any new facts that support your account of why you fled? Or has the situation in your country of origin changed (for you) since your asylum application was rejected? If so, it might be a good idea to reapply for asylum. Read this article to find out how that works.
What you need to know about family reunification
You cannot apply for family reunification without an asylum residence permit in the Netherlands. If you have a high chance of getting an asylum residence permit, sometimes you can already prepare your application for family reunification.
In the Netherlands, you need a BSN
If you are in the Netherlands for more than 6 months, you will get a personal number: a citizen service number (BSN). You need this number to arrange your personal affairs in the Netherlands. Read here how to get such a number.
Here is how to find free or affordable legal support in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, there are several ways to get free or low-cost legal help. For example, you may have questions about your asylum procedure or need help if you have problems at work or with your home. Read here where you can go for legal help.
This is how age verification works if the IND has doubts about your age
The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) can do age testing if they have doubts about whether you are younger than 18. This is because if you are younger than 18, you have other rights during the asylum procedure. You only get these rights if the IND is sure you are younger than 18.
Divorce in the Netherlands during the asylum procedure
Do you want to divorce your partner? It is possible to divorce during your asylum procedure in the Netherlands. Even if you are not married in the Netherlands or if you do not have Dutch citizenship. Divorce may, however, have consequences for your and your partner's asylum procedure.
Preparing for the asylum procedure in the Netherlands
Preparing for the asylum procedure in the Netherlands: steps in IND application, interviews, reception centres and what to expect during your asylum application.
Need help? Make a video appointment with VWN about your asylum procedure
At VluchtelingenWerk Nederland (VWN) you can make an appointment for online consultations. During this consultation, you get 1-on-1 social and legal support for your personal situation. A VWN employee will give you independent advice during this appointment.