You have an interview with the IND
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During your interview, the IND will ask you questions about your asylum application. In this article, you can read about what happens during the interview. You can also find out what to do if you do not understand something, need a break or if something in the report is incorrect.
The IND asks questions about your asylum application
During the interview, an
For example, the IND may ask questions about who you are, where you come from, why you are applying for asylum, what has happened to you personally, and why you cannot return safely. The IND may also ask questions about your journey to the Netherlands, your family members and the documents you have.
The IND employee may ask follow-up questions about your answers. This is normal. The IND wants to fully understand your story.
There is an interpreter who speaks your language at the interview with the IND
The IND employee will ask the questions in Dutch. The interpreter will translate these questions for you. The interpreter will also translate your answers into Dutch. The interpreter is independent. The interpreter does not work for the IND and has no influence on the decision regarding your asylum application.
Sometimes you may be assigned an interpreter who speaks a different dialect. Let them know straight away if you and the interpreter are having trouble understanding each other. It is important to avoid any misunderstandings arising from you and the interpreter not understanding each other properly.
The IND makes an audio recording of the interview
The IND will make an audio recording of the interview. This recording will be stored securely and used solely for the purposes of your asylum application.
The recording may help you to check later what was said during the interview. Your lawyer can listen to the recording.
Let us know if you need a break
An interview with the IND can take a long time. It can also be difficult to talk about painful or personal experiences.
If you are feeling tired, emotional, need a break or find it difficult to talk about something, please say so during the interview. Also, please say so if you do not understand a question, cannot quite remember something or need extra support due to your health.
It is important that you are able to tell your story as effectively as possible. That is why you are welcome to let us know what you need during the interview.
Children may sometimes also be interviewed by the IND
Are you applying for asylum with your children? If so, children may sometimes be given their own interview with the IND. This can be important if they want to explain for themselves why they need protection.
You or your child can indicate as early as the
Does this only come to light later? If so, discuss this with your lawyer or VluchtelingenWerk Nederland (VWN).
Your child may also have their own reasons for seeking asylum.
After the interview, you should discuss the report with your lawyer
The IND will draw up a report of the interview. This report will set out what you have said. The IND will also record the interview. The recording may help to verify later what was said during the interview.
Read the report carefully with your lawyer. Is there anything that does not add up? Or is anything important missing? If so, discuss this with your lawyer.
Be sure to tell your lawyer if you did not understand the interpreter properly, did not understand a question, forgot to mention something important, or did not feel comfortable during the interview. Your lawyer can explain what you can do next.
Ask the IND or VluchtelingenWerk Nederland (VWN) if they can attend
Sometimes a member of staff from VluchtelingenWerk Nederland (VWN) may be present during the interview with the IND. This member of staff can support you and take notes.
Would you like someone from VluchtelingenWerk Nederland (VWN) to be present? If so, please ask the VluchtelingenWerk Nederland (VWN) office in your area whether this is possible. You should also discuss this with your lawyer.