What you need to know when the IND starts your asylum application

The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) sends a letter asking if you want to start an asylum application. You choose whether you want to apply for asylum or not. Send your answer back to the IND within one week. There is already an additional letter in the envelope you receive from the IND. You can use this to send back your answer.

You can get help with your asylum application from your contact at Vluchtelingenwerk Nederland (VWN). You can also attend a consultation hour in your area or schedule an online consultation hour.

You will also receive a lawyer from the Legal Aid Board. You do not have to choose your own lawyer. This lawyer is independent and not from the government. You can also discuss with your lawyer whether or not you want to start your asylum application.

If your country of origin is safe according to the IND, the asylum procedure starts in April.

The IND invites you for an interview in the town of Budel. This interview will be about who you are, where you come from and why you are applying for asylum. An independent lawyer will help you prepare for the interview. You will receive the decision about your asylum application within one week after the interview. The decision is in a letter, which will be sent to your lawyer.

If your asylum application is rejected and you do not receive an asylum permit, you will be allowed to stay in the Netherlands at least until 4 September 2023, because you have temporary protection until then. Before September, you will receive a letter from the IND stating that your temporary protection will be terminated.