The IND in figures

The number of applications for residence permits has already been increasing for a longer time. And this is expected to increase even more in the years to come. Moreover this does not make the work of the IND easier. Increasingly more substantiation is needed to decide on a residence application. Notwithstanding that the IND does more than can be expected of the organisation on the basis of the agreed capacity, the number of cases that have been outstanding for a long time is increasing.

Each month the IND publishes a survey of the main current figures and developments.

Monthly figures December

Asylum: First asylum applications

In this procedure, the IND made 1,850 decisions in December. This is less than budgeted (2,820). The number of applications decreased from 2,360 to 2,140. Last December, the IND received 3,850 applications.

Asylum: Dublin procedure (Track 1)

In the Dublin procedure, the IND made 510 decisions in December. This is more than last month (430) and more than budgeted (260). A total of 330 applications were received, which is 140 fewer than last month.

Asylum: Safe Country procedure (Track 2)

In the safe countries procedure, the number of decisions amounted to 90. This was lower than budgeted (180). This is due to a lower influx and availability of this type of case. The number of applications decreased from 130 to 20 in December. This is the lowest number for 2024.

Asylum: General and extended asylum procedure (Track 4)

In December, the IND made fewer decisions in this procedure than budgeted: 2,100 compared to 3,030. The number of applications was 2,680, slightly higher than in November (2,490). The number of pending applications stood at 50,910.

Asylum: Family members who have joined the asylum seekers later

Since September, we have been showing the figures for all family reunification applications combined in this graph; that is, MVV Family Reunification + Family Reunification 8 ECHR for Unaccompanied Minors (AMV). This provides an overview of the total number of family reunification applications and decisions and pending applications. The separate figures can also be seen in the accompanying tables.
The IND made 2,090 decisions. This is lower than budgeted (2,320). The number of applications increased from 1,570 to 2,300. The total number of pending applications stood at 66,040.

Family and relatives

The IND made 2,780 decisions in December. The number of new applications amounted to 2,740. As a result, the number of pending applications decreased from 6,510 to 6,480. Of these, the majority (4,100) have been pending for less than 3 months.

Residence permit knowledge and talent

Permits for knowledge and talent are for, among others, knowledge migrants, graduates with a search year, and employees who have been transferred to a European branch of the company. In November, the IND made 1,810 decisions on this type of application. A total of 1,620 new applications were received.

Study

In December, there is a peak in applications from students starting their studies in the new year. A total of 1,730 applications were received, and 2,320 decisions were made. The IND prepares for peaks in the summer and in November and December, allowing for quick decisions on these applications.

Migrant workers

The number of decisions on applications from migrant workers amounted to 370 in December. A total of 380 applications were made. Migration workers involves permits for employment in paid work, as self-employed/startups, for cross-border services, and applications under the Netherlands-American Friendship Treaty.

Naturalization

In December, the IND completed 6,670 decisions. The number of pending naturalization applications decreased from 18,580 to 16,590. The naturalization application is submitted to the municipality, assessed by the IND, and ultimately, Dutch citizenship is granted by signing a Royal Decree.

Service desk

In December, a total of 21,410 appointments were made for the issuance of residence documents at the service desk. Applicants could average get an appointment at the service desk after 6 days. The number of appointments for taking biometrics (fingerprints and photos) amounted to 14,220. The first appointment opportunity for this was on average after 3 days.