How to Obtain Netherlands Permanent Residence

Do you wish to continue to live permanently in the Netherlands? Then you can apply for a permanent residence permit. Netherlands permanent residence doesn’t come for free to anyone who wants to obtain it. There are prices to be made for this kind of residency. This permanent residency allows one to have an upper hand in getting another residence from a country that is part of the European Union. Moreover, for most foreigners, getting to the point of obtaining permanent residence in another country is a significant event or achievement. Moreover, being a Netherlands permanent residence holder removes any form of doubt regarding the future and your safety. As permanent residence is the step before the final target of citizenship.

Moreover, the Netherlands is an ideal destination for individuals and families looking for a safe, friendly, and culturally rich country abroad, specifically in Europe. Besides, the immigration rate to the Netherlands has increased by a considerable amount in the previous ten years, rising to more than 250,000 in 2019.

However, most foreigners are still wondering if it is possible to obtain permanent residence as non-EU/EEA citizens in the Netherlands. Therefore, in this article, we will provide information in detail about the Netherlands permanent residence, requirements, application procedures, and any other important information pertaining to obtaining Netherlands permanent residence.

Understanding Netherlands Permanent Residence

Permanent residence is a person's legal resident status in a country or territory of which such person is not a citizen but where they have the right to reside on a permanent basis. This is usually for a permanent period, a person with such legal status is known as a permanent resident.

However, once you have received a Netherlands permanent residence status your stay in the country does no longer depends on a certain purpose of stay which is the type of visa you have. Besides, your permanent residence can only be revoked if you leave the Netherlands permanently, commit a serious crime, or fail to comply with residency or imposed obligations. You can also work in the country legally without applying for a separate work permit. You just need to renew or request a new card every 5 years.

Moreover, having a Netherlands permanent residence status does not mean you are a Dutch citizen. Besides, Dutch citizenship is the next step after permanent residency. You can then apply for a Dutch passport, after becoming a citizen of the Netherlands. Although, you may have to renounce other nationalities you have in most cases. But you can still keep your original nationality when you apply for Netherlands permanent residence.

Advantages of obtaining a Netherlands Permanent Residence

There are benefits that are attached to this residency, and here they are:

1. Indefinite Residence in the Netherlands:

An individual can stay in the Netherlands like forever or a lifetime depending on the duration the person wants to stay there. Many people have used this as an avenue in making explore foreign countries where they reside.

2. Freedom in the Labour Market:

This permanent residency allows a foreigner to be employed by any employer in the Netherlands. If there are any job opportunities that come up during the foreigner's stay, this makes him or her eligible to take part in it.

Types of Netherlands Permanent Residence

Furthermore, you can apply for permanent residency after staying in the Netherlands legally for uninterrupted 5 years. However, there are two types of permanent residency:

• Long-term residency, based on EU law
• A permanent residence permit, based on Dutch national law

Moreover, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) typically determines the residency permits you qualify for.

Long-term residency

A residence permit long-term resident EU entitles you to live in the Netherlands for an indefinite period. That means you can continue to live in the Netherlands for as long as you like.

Moreover, having a residence permit as a long-term EU resident allows you to apply more easily for a long-term residence permit in other EU countries, although the conditions for the residence permit may differ from one country to another.

However, conditions for long-term residence EU are as follows:

• You have lived in the Netherlands with a valid Dutch residence permit for at least 5 consecutive years immediately before the application.
• During the 5-year period, you were not outside the Netherlands for 6 or more consecutive months or 10 or more months in total.
• You have a residence permit with a non-temporary purpose when you apply.
• You have an independent, sufficient, and sustainable income.
• Also, you passed the civic integration exam process. This means you can read, write, speak and understand Dutch at a sufficient level.

Permanent residence based on Dutch law

Moreover, you may qualify for a Dutch national permanent residence permit if you do not meet the conditions or requirements for the long-term residence permit based on EU law.

However, the conditions for the permanent residence permit are as follows:

• You must have been living in the Netherlands for 5 years or more with a valid temporary residence permit
• You have a residence permit with a non-temporary purpose when you apply.
• Also, you passed the civic integration exam process.
• You have an independent, sufficient, and sustainable income.

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How to Apply for a Netherlands Permanent Residence

Any candidate who needs this must fill in an application form online and submit it back. In order to make it more concrete, one has to attach documents as evidence.

However, the Netherlands permanent residence application procedure and requirements differ for EU/EEA/Swiss and non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and family members. Therefore, we will be explaining the application process and requirements separately for easy and clear understanding. In addition, we will also be providing application fees and processing time for each of the categories,

1. EU/EEA or Swiss Citizens

However, if you are an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen and you have been living continuously in the Netherlands for at least five years. Then you can apply for a permanent residence permit for nationals of the EU and their family members.

Moreover, this also applies to family members who are non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens. This includes people such as spouses, dependent children, or relatives of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens. This applies regardless of their own nationality.

If you are applying for a Netherlands permanent residence as an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen. Then, you must complete an online application form and submit it to the IND with a valid passport and other supporting documents. However, you can access the application form by clicking here.

Required documents

However, you will need to provide proof of your personal information and circumstances. Such as:

• Proof that you have been living in the Netherlands for the past five years. You may provide your employment contract, health insurance policy, etc. However, the five-year term may become shorter if you have worked and retired in the Netherlands, become unfit for work, or are a cross-border worker.
• You will also need to provide the residence permit that granted you permission to stay in the Netherlands on the basis of a relationship. That is if you are a family member of an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen.
• You will need to provide evidence that you were working for at least one year before retirement, in case you retired.
• In case you are a cross-border worker, you will have to provide evidence that you stayed and worked in the Netherlands for three years before getting a job in another EU state. Evidence that you still have your home in the Netherlands, and that you return at least once a week.

Fees and processing time

Moreover, you must also pay a non-refundable fee for the IND to process your application. The fee is currently € 64, as of January 2021. However, the fees are reviewed every year, you can click here to view the latest fees.

For the processing time, the IND generally makes a decision on the applications within eight weeks. But the processing time usually takes a maximum of six months for non-EU/EEA/Swiss individuals and family members.

2. Non-EU/EEA or Swiss Citizens

If you are a non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizen applying for a permanent residence, the IND will first check if you meet the European requirement. If you do, you will receive a permanent residence as an EC long-term resident, which is the Long-term residency. You will be able to move to other EU member states, with this permanent residence status.

However, if you do not meet the European requirements, the IND will assess your application based on national legislation. When you meet the conditions, you’ll receive a permanent residence permit in accordance with Dutch national law (a long-term Dutch residence permit).  Then, if you fail to meet neither of the requirements, the IND will assess whether you can extend your current temporary residence permit.

General Requirements

However, you must fulfill the following requirements to be eligible to apply for the Netherlands permanent residence as a non-EU/EEA/Swiss national. They include:

• Have held a temporary residence permit for a minimum of five consecutive years in the Netherlands.
• Also, you should currently hold a residence permit for a non-temporary purpose, such as employment. Which must be with a minimum of a one-year contract.
• You must prove to have an independent, sufficient, and sustainable long-term income.
• You do not pose a threat to public order or national security.
• Also, you passed the civic integration exam process. This means you can read, write, speak and understand Dutch at a sufficient level.

Application Procedure

To apply for the Netherlands permanent residence as a non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, you must complete an application form and submit it to the IND with a passport/ ID card and supporting documents.

Documents

However, you will have to submit the following documents to provide proof of your personal information and circumstances. They are as follows:

• A copy of a valid passport or any other official travel document
• Proof of sufficient funds, for example, bank statements, etc.
• A civic integration diploma or comparable diploma

Fees and processing time

Moreover, you will also have to pay a non-refundable fee for the IND to process your application. The fee is currently ​€ 192, as of January 2021. However, the fees are reviewed every year, you can click here to view the latest fees. Then for the processing time, the IND states a maximum period of six months to process your application.

Furthermore, once your application has been processed by the IND, you will receive a letter with their decision. If the decision turns out to be positive and you get the Netherlands permanent residence. You can collect the document about two weeks later at a regional IND desk.

Netherlands Residence Permit Sponsorship

In most cases, you will need a sponsor in order to come to the Netherlands. This could be a recognized employer but also an educational institution or a partner you are going to live with. However, your sponsor will need to submit an admission and residence application (TEV) to the Immigration and Nationalization Service (IND) in the Netherlands.

Moreover, sponsorship is required for most types of Dutch residence permits. Some forms of residence permits do not require sponsors, such as the orientation year for graduates or some working holiday programs.

Moreover, if you are coming to the Netherlands as an employee, researcher, or highly skilled migrant then your employer is your sponsor. If you are coming for family reasons then your relative or partner in the Netherlands is your sponsor. If you are coming to study then your educational institution is your sponsor.

Conclusion

However, your Netherlands permanent residence will expire after five years. After that, you will need to renew it if you want to continue your stay in the Netherlands. But you may need to do this in advance before it expires, or you may also check if you qualify to apply for citizenship. As permanent residence is the step before the ultimate goal of citizenship.

This application can be submitted via DigiD. Before one can do this, one must have gotten a temporary residence permit. In spite of the fact, that they submit their application for permanent residency, the temporary is still valid. Then a fee will be sent on the amount they need to pay.

Moreover, if a citizen is from the same European Union, Switzerland, or Turkey, there is a stipulated fee they will have to pay which is 57 EUR (63 USD). Then for people who are not up to 18 years, their fee is 30 EUR and it is approximately (33 USD). There are other fees for those who want to renew their permanent residence, and it is still the same fee for both adults and children.