IND (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst) letter explained in English
Immigration and naturalisation service. Decides on residence permits, visas for long stays and Dutch citizenship.
Letters you may get
- Uitnodiging biometrie — an appointment to give your photo and fingerprints
- Besluit op uw aanvraag — the decision on your residence permit
- Voornemen — they plan to refuse and let you react first (zienswijze)
- Verblijfsdocument ophalen — your residence card is ready to collect
What to do
- The deadline to object to an IND decision is usually 4 weeks, not 6. Check the letter.
- Apply to extend your permit before it ends. Your V-nummer is on every letter — use it when you contact them.
- Find the deadline. Look for “termijn”, “uiterlijk”, “binnen”.
- Write the reference number from the letter on everything you send back, and keep copies.
- If you disagree with a decision, object in writing before the deadline (“bezwaar”, “beroep”, “verzet”). See the template.
Words you may see
- beschikking
- Official decision by an office about you, for example about a benefit or a permit. Also called besluit.
- zienswijze
- Your view. Your chance to react in writing before the office makes its decision.
- IND
- Immigration and Naturalisation Service. It decides on residence permits and Dutch citizenship.
Questions
What is the IND (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst)?
Immigration and naturalisation service. Decides on residence permits, visas for long stays and Dutch citizenship.
How long do I have to answer a letter from the IND (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst)?
It depends on the letter. Look for words like “termijn”, “uiterlijk”, “binnen” — they mark the deadline. In the Netherlands, the time to object usually starts the day after the date on the letter (dagtekening), not the day it arrives. So count from the date on the letter. To object, the letter usually names the way to do it (“bezwaar”, “beroep”, “verzet”).
Can I read a IND (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst) letter in English?
Yes. Take a photo of the letter with Briefly. It explains the letter in plain English, finds the deadline and the amount, and gives you ready-made replies in Dutch. Your letter never leaves your device.
Other offices in the Netherlands
Belastingdienst · Dienst Toeslagen (Belastingdienst/Toeslagen) · CJIB (Centraal Justitieel Incassobureau) · Gemeente · Waterschap / hoogheemraadschap · UWV · SVB (Sociale Verzekeringsbank) · DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs)