On this page:

• IND
• GBA
• EU/EER Citizens
• Non-EU Nationals
• The civil integration test
• Highly Skilled Migrants
• Students
• ID Cards
• Au pairs 
• Fees

Anyone reading the news over the past couple of years will have been aware of the tightening of immigration regulations brought about by the former Minister for Immigration, Rita Verdonk. Since 2004 these changes have been sweeping and far-reaching; changing the system to reflect a sleeker, meaner attitude to immigration.

Some of the changes still being implemented are:

• streamlining the number of categories of residence and entry permits from 29 to five,
• Temporary workers or those on work or study exchanges will receive a non-extendable one year permit, with no access to the social welfare system,
• A second form temporary residency will be available to students or workers with a fixed term contract, for the length of their contract; this can be a first step to long-term residency.

The two main organisations involved in residency questions are the Gemeentelijke basisadministratie persoonsgegevens (GBA) which handles all registration and paperwork as an entrance to the system, and the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), which makes all decisions on immigration and integration.

The guidelines for eligibility depend on several factors which can include: country of origin, length of residence in the Netherlands, purpose (study, work, family reunion or marriage), income, level and sort of education and, in some cases, age. The website (www.ind.nl) set up by the IND to answer most basic questions is reasonably thorough and includes a detailed section in English which is fairly simple to use, but can be confusing if you do not fit into the convenient pigeon holes provided in their 'Residence Wizard'.

 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next >