IND formalities

The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) is part of the Ministry of Asylum and Migration.

Handy Dutch words and phrases

  • foto - photo
  • handtekening - signature
  • IND - Immigratie en Naturalisatiedienst - Immigration and Naturalisation Service
  • MVV - machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf - provisional residence permit (entry visa)
  • verblijfsvergunning - residence permit
  • vervangen - replace
  • vernieuwen - renew
  • vingerafdrukken nemen - take fingerprints

     

What does the IND do?

The IND assesses and processes requests from foreign nationals who want to live, study, work and/or join family in the Netherlands, as well as requests for asylum and naturalization. The IND is responsible for residence and work permits, and for recognized sponsorship.

How do I know when to make my IND appointment?

If your application for a residence permit is successful, you/your sponsor will receive a letter from the IND asking you to make a biometrics appointment, where the IND will take your photo, your fingerprints and your signature.

The IND will send another letter when your permit/VA sticker is ready for collection. If you have an MVV (entry visa), you must collect your residence permit before the MVV expires.

For biometrics appointments, please not that individuals who wear a headscarf that covers their hair need to wear a single-color, non-white headscarf when providing biometrics. If the headscarf is multicolored or white, the IND will be unable to take the photograph and the appointment will have to be rescheduled to a later date

Leaving the Netherlands permanently

When you leave the Netherlands permanently you need to send the residence permit back to the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) as the residence permit (the card) remains property of the Dutch State. You can also return the card by post. For more information go to Leaving the Netherlands | IND.

You also need to deregister from the municipality (BRP) where you live within the 5 days (including weekends and holidays) before you actually leave the Netherlands.

For more information

  • English-language website of the IND