Netherlands is bound by the Union Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission Framework Regulation (URF).

Resettlement is handled within existing asylum legislation and the Aliens Act Implementation Guidelines (Chapter C.1.4.7) | Vreemdelingencirculaire 2000.

Resettlement Programme

As per 2026, on a two-yearly basis, the Netherlands pledges a contribution within the framework of the European Union Resettlement Framework Union Plan. This contribution consists of:

1. the national resettlement quota; and
2. the quota that has been established for resettlement in the framework of migration cooperation with third countries (currently the EU-Turkey Statement)

No Humanitarian Admission programmes, or complementary pathways are currently in place.

Referral

Referrals are received exclusively from UNHCR. The IND draw up a Pre Mission Questionnaire (PMQ) on the basis of which UNHCR presents a selection of refugees who are eligible for resettlement. The UNHCR submits resettlement registrations forms (RRFs) which contain personal data, information about documents (if possible copies), family composition, summary of the refugee status determination and medical information to be considered by the IND. In the framework of the EU-Turkey statement, resettlement is based on the Standard Operation Procedures agreed upon between EU Member States and Türkiye. Türkiye refers cases to UNHCR who then submits the cases to IND through Identification Based Methodology forms (IBM’s). A small portion of the national quota is reserved for unearmarked dossier-based selection. The number is communicated by IND to UNHCR HQ. UNHCR submits dossier cases to IND by e-mail.

On the basis of the UNHCR selections, the IND pre-selects cases in line with national country-based asylum policy, contra-indications (exclusion/security concerns), PMQ, and indications by COA with regard to the resettlement profile. The aim of the pre-selection is to filter out in advance cases that do not meet applicable policy.

Selection and assessment of cases

1. Selection missions: During selection missions, the mission team (IND, COA, BMA) carries out in person interviews with the pre-selected candidates for resettlement. One interview is conducted by the IND focusing on the eligibility for asylum in accordance with Article 29 of the Aliens Act 2000. Another interview is held with an employee from the COA in order to establish the resettlement profile, with a focus on identifying the specific vulnerabilities and assessing whether adequate support can be provided. Finally, the candidate will also have a consult with a physician. It varies per mission how many candidates are interviewed. Minors may in some cases be interviewed personally. Each case is assessed on an individual basis. For the most part the questions are dependent on the individual case, to be determined by the case worker.
2. Selection on dossier basis: Cases examined on dossier basis include among others asylum cases from countries not visited by selection missions and emergency or urgent (medical) cases. After receiving the dossier submission from the UNHCR, the IND conducts a broad assessment on the eligibility of the applicant or resettlement and whether they would be able to receive international protection in line with national policy. The COA also assesses the dossier in relation to the candidate’s resettlement profile. In case of medical conditions the BMA is consulted.
3. Emergency cases: In the Netherlands, there is no separate process for handling emergency or urgent cases; they follow the standard procedure as in dossier selection. However, processing is expedited as much as possible.

Assessment of cases: The average timeframe from selection to arrival in the Netherlands is six months in the case of selection missions. For dossier-based selections, the timeframe varies depending on the nature of the case. It could be days, weeks or even months.

On the basis of the 2000 Aliens Act an application for asylum can only be lodged in the Netherlands. Upon arrival in the Netherlands, as a formality, a resettled refugee must fill in an asylum application form and subsequently receives the positive decision granting the international protection status (unless ad hoc contra-indications emerged), which is the same as that provided to refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection who have completed the asylum procedure in the Netherlands. A temporary residence permit is issued, as per the implementation of the Pact valid for three years, which can be prolonged with the possibility after a certain amount of years to request a permanent form of residence such as EU long-term resident status, or Dutch citizenship (after passing the Civic Integration Exams).

Refugees are obliged to participate in the cultural orientation (CO) course that COA provides for. The aim is to prepare refugees for their arrival and life in the Netherlands, to manage their expectations, and to inform them of what is expected of them and what kind of behaviour contributes to successful integration and participation in Dutch society. It is an interactive program with emphasis on the practice of new behaviour and forming a first network which often turns out to be very useful after arrival in the Netherlands.

Simultaneously information, building on the conversation with COA during the selection mission, is gathered about the refugees (social dossier) and shared with specific stakeholders for the purpose of adequate housing and necessary support for settlement.

COA tailors the CO course, depending on whether upon arrival refugees will be placed directly into the municipality or in a reception center (where they receive further training before they are housed in municipalities), and depending on the caseload and specific situations. Tailoring can take the form of slightly adjusting both content, mode of delivery (in person and/or remote) and/or duration of the curriculum.

In general, a CO course consists of 2 or 3 trainings (preferably with some intermittence), depending on the needs of the caseload, each with a duration of at least 4 days of actual interaction. The main goals are to initiate Dutch language training, to improve the self-sufficiency of the refugees and to inform them about arrival procedures. Content of the training includes, amongst others, Dutch language, Dutch society (values), health care, housing, education, employment, social welfare, and -if possible- information about the destined municipality and/or reception facility. Former resettled refugees are involved as mentors. Personal questions or concerns can be addressed during these meetings.

Pre-departure activities are arranged by COA. In principle the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for issuing the required travel documents, based on information from the IND that a person is accepted for resettlement and allowed to travel to the Netherlands. The IOM is responsible for organising travel logistics, in collaboration with the COA and IND. Subsequent to the selection (mission), a request is made to IOM to organise the flight to the Netherlands, with an intended arrival, in most cases, approximately six months later. During this period a municipality is sought to provide housing for the refugee accepted for resettlement. If no municipality has been identified by the time of arrival, the refugee will be accommodated in a reception center until a municipality becomes available. The IOM may also escort a refugee accepted for resettlement throughout the journey. It also conducts a fit-to-fly check to ensure the person is medically able to be transferred. A medical escort may supervise the transfer whilst IOM will make sure all medical facilities, such as a wheelchair are available during the transfer. In the case of unaccompanied minors, an escort who speaks the language of the refugee will accompany the minor during travel.

On the basis of the 2000 Aliens Act an application for asylum can only be lodged in the Netherlands. Upon arrival in the Netherlands, as a formality, a resettled refugee must fill in an asylum application form and subsequently receives the positive decision granting the asylum status (unless ad hoc contra-indications have emerged).

COA is in charge of making practical, administrative and logistical arrangements upon arrival.

In principle, refugees are welcomed at the Airport by the COA CO-trainers. Accommodation for the first 48 hours in the Netherlands is organized by COA to carry out the arrival procedures. During these procedures COA staff accompanies the refugee(s).

The arrival procedures consist of Identification and Registration procedures, registration in the Persons Records Database of the municipality, Tuberculosis screening, and in case of unaccompanied minors assessment of a possible guardianship (NIDOS). If necessary, the BMA physician provides a medical handover for the general practitioner in the accommodating municipality.

Following these formalities, COA organizes transport to the accommodating municipality. In the municipalities the refugee(s) are welcomed in their new accommodation by volunteers (mainly of Dutch Refugee Council) and representatives of the municipality.

The arrival and reception process for resettled refugees who will be placed in a reception center may vary (e.g. resettlement EU-Turkey Statement, resettlement out of ETM, resettlement NQ refugees for whom direct housing could not be arranged in time). In that case aforementioned formalities are processed in the reception center.

In the reception centers refugees can attend (further) CO trainings for living in the Netherlands that are provided by COA until they are transferred to a municipality.

Municipalities are responsible for providing suitable housing for resettled refugees and have a duty to inform them about the education system and offer education to minors who must attend school. Resettled refugees who are placed directly into a municipality upon arrival in the Netherlands receive individual guidance (often by a civil society organization such as Dutch Refugee Council or another organization contracted by the municipality).

Until refugees find employment, they are entitled to social security allowance, and municipalities have a large number of instruments to ensure that people find a place in the labor market.

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment is responsible for Integration policy (Inburgeren in Nederland | Rijksoverheid.nl, In het kort - U gaat inburgeren - DUO). Implementation is carried out by the municipality. 

In Netherlands there are no humanitarian admission programmes.

In Netherlands there are no community sponsorship schemes related to state-led resettlement programmes. 

In Netherlands there are no community sponsorship schemes linked to civil society-led humanitarian admission programmes.

In Netherlands there are no community sponsorship schemes linked to other complementary pathways