You have an interview about your asylum application with the IND
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In this 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 this 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.
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 at your interview with the IND? If so, please discuss this with your lawyer. You should also ask VluchtelingenWerk Nederland (VWN) whether this is possible in your situation.
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
The interview with the IND may take a long time. It may also be difficult to talk about painful or personal experiences. Please let the interviewer know if you are feeling tired, emotional, need a break or find it difficult to talk about something.
Let us know if you do not understand a question, cannot quite remember something, or need extra support because of your health. It is important that you are able to tell your story as clearly as possible. That is why you are welcome to let us know what you need during the interview.
If you are going through the asylum process with a child
Asylum applications from families with children under the age of 18 are not usually processed under the border procedure. Are you, however, going through the border procedure with a child? For example, because the IND has doubts as to whether you really belong together as a family? If so, discuss this with your lawyer as soon as possible.
Sometimes a child can also tell the IND something themselves.
Do you want your child to share information with the IND themselves, or would your child like to do so? If so, please discuss this with your solicitor. You can also
After the interview with the IND, you will discuss the report with your lawyer
The IND will write a report of the interview with you. This report will set out what you have said. You and your lawyer will receive this report as soon as possible.
Read the report together with your lawyer. Is there anything incorrect? Or is any important information missing? If so, your lawyer can bring this to the attention of the IND.
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.