New asylum policy for Afghanistan: what does that mean?
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As of 5 June 2026, new asylum rules have been in effect for people from Afghanistan. Afghan women are now almost always granted residency status. The policy regarding the security situation has also changed. In this article, you can read about what this means for you.
What is changing for Afghan women?
The situation for women and girls in Afghanistan has worsened in recent years. The Taliban have made the rules for women increasingly strict.
That is why the policy has been revised in the Netherlands. An Afghan woman who seeks protection is now almost always granted an
The
This residence permit is valid for a limited period. To find out what that means and how long the permit is valid, read our article
Does this also apply to women who are still in Afghanistan?
No. This policy applies only to women who are in the Netherlands and are applying for asylum here. You can only apply for asylum if you are in the Netherlands. You cannot apply for asylum from Afghanistan or any other country.
What is the IND's assessment of the security situation in Afghanistan?
Previously, the ministry had taken the view that there was no region in Afghanistan where violence was so severe that it needed to be mentioned in the policy. That has now changed. According to the ministry, there is indeed an armed conflict in nine provinces. These are: Badakhshan, Kabul, Kandahar, Khost, Kunar, Nangahar, Paktia, Paktika, and Takhar.
However, the ministry believes that the violence in these provinces is not that severe. According to the minister, the likelihood of an ordinary citizen becoming a victim is low. It is best to discuss what this means for your own situation with your lawyer.
Is it safe to live in another part of Afghanistan?
Sometimes the IND determines that you can live safely in another part of Afghanistan. In that case, you will not be granted protection in the Netherlands, even if you are in danger in your own region. You must, however, meet a number of conditions.
Under the new policy, this applies to more situations than before:
In the event of an armed conflict: Are you in danger because of the armed conflict? If so, the IND may determine that you can live safely in another part of Afghanistan.
If you are being persecuted by certain groups: Are you afraid of groups such as
This rule may apply to people who are at risk due to the armed conflict or because of the groups mentioned above. Want to know if this applies to you? Always discuss your situation with your lawyer.