New Immigration rules

In March this year, the Dutch government introduced new stringent rules relating to immigrating to the Netherlands. Designed primarily to integrate new immigrants into the Dutch culture and society, those seeking permanent residency now have to pass a 'Civic Integration Examination' or 'Inburgering 2007' at the Dutch embassy in their home country, prior to moving. The rule applies primarily to those staying in the Netherlands long term or those seeking permanent residency status.

Exemptions
These groups of people are not considered to be living here permanently, so are exempt from compulsory integration;
- Economic migrants, au pairs, students, temporary foreign nationals (those on temporary visas),
- Citizens from EU member states and Switzerland, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan.

Other information
- Holders of Dutch passports cannot be compelled to take the integration course,
- Dutch citizens who have used their free right of movement do not have to take the course,
- To family members of Dutch citizens (as above) staying under directive 2004/38,
- Gemeentes have until April 2007 to implement the new law changes.

Any further questions about your status or coming to Netherlands see the IND website; "Residence Wizard".


Visas, permits and knowledge migrants

Registration of EU citizens community law change
From May 1, 2006 those persons from the EU member states (including Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Austria, Portugal, Spain, UK and Sweden) who will be in the Netherlands for more than three months, will no longer need to request a lawful residency certificate/verblijfsdocument. You are still required to register with the GBA first and then the IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service) but will receive instead a sticker in your passport as proof of your residency. Family members of these people who themselves are not citizens of an EU or EEA member states or Switzerland, must still submit a request for verification against EU Community Law.

For those of you who are not from the EU community, a recent law change means there is now an accelerated procedure now for 'knowledge migrants' or those earning more than €45.000 (not applicable for those entering work in educational or research institutes as a PhD student, nor does it apply to post-docs and university teachers under 30 years of age). You no longer require a work permit but must still apply for a residency permit (verblijfsdocument) from the IND as per normal and register with the GBA. See our link on "Preparation" for information on the application procedures.

The authorisation will be granted for five years if an employment contract is held for an indefinite period of time. If the contract is shorter, then the permit is only granted for the duration of the contract.


Useful links

Buitenlandse Zaken - Coming to the Netherlands
Shell Permits Foundation - Permits for spouses
IND, Immigration & Naturalisation Service - Policies