What is the policy for granting asylum to asylum seekers and refugees? For the answer to this and other related questions go to the Justice Ministry’s Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) website. A variety of leaflets can also be ordered or downloaded from the IND.

To contact the IND by telephone
The IND information line is available Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CET at 0900 1234561, € 0.10 p/m. An option menu will direct you, for example, to the regional office that is dealing with your application. If you are calling from outside the Netherlands, dial +31 20 8893045.

To contact the IND by letter
Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst (Immigration and Naturalisation Service)
Communication Department
Postbus 5800
2280 HV Rijswijk
(The Netherlands)

To contact the IND by e-mail please use their contactform.

Alien’s and refugee passports
An alien’s passport is a Dutch travel document issued to persons who do not have Dutch nationality, have a valid residence permit for the Netherlands and are unable to obtain travel documents from their own national authorities.

A refugee passport is issued to aliens who have been accorded refugee status, or who have a mandate declaration issued by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in The Hague, and who are in possession of a valid Dutch residence permit.

Both documents are issued by the municipality. For more information see the website of the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (see link above) or the website of your municipality.