Arrival in the Netherlands and seeking asylum

How the asylum procedure works in the Netherlands

Applying for asylum in the Netherlands: who helps you, how to prepare, and how does the asylum procedure work?

You are going to apply for asylum in the Netherlands. This is an important step. In these videos we explain step by step how the asylum procedure in the Netherlands works, which steps you go through and who helps you.

You cannot apply for asylum in the Netherlands if you are abroad

Are you not in the Netherlands, but in another country? Then you cannot apply for asylum in the Netherlands. Nor can you apply for asylum online.

This is what you must do upon arrival in the Netherlands if you want to apply for asylum

Have you arrived in the Netherlands and did you not arrive via Schiphol Airport or via a port? Then travel to the application centre in the village of Ter Apel to apply for asylum. You can travel from where you arrived to Ter Apel by public transportation.

Arrival in the Netherlands at Schiphol Airport, another airport or at a port

Do you arrive by plane at Schiphol Airport, another airport or at a port in the Netherlands? And do you not have a valid visa and passport to enter the Netherlands? Then apply for asylum there. You then await your asylum application in a closed reception centre at Schiphol Airport.

Your child may have their own reasons for fleeing and may therefore be entitled to asylum

If you flee to the Netherlands with your children, you apply for asylum as a family. The IND usually only speaks to the parents. However, it is important that your children’s stories are heard too. This helps to provide a clearer picture of the situation in the country you have fled from.