RELOCATION
The Netherlands is a bureaucratic country and proud of it. Be prepared for paperwork, appointments, and organizing documents during your time planning a stay in the Netherlands: • Ensure documents are in order before approaching the BRP and IND. • BRP: the office where to register your details into Dutch system • IND: the office that implements immigration policy and makes decisions on residence permits. • Check that your passport is valid for the period of your stay (and expires later than six months from registration). • Collect your marriage and birth certificates, and they must be translated into Dutch, English, French, or German. • All documents must be “legalised”. Generally with the addition of an Apostille – an extra stamp on certify foreign papers – which you obtain from the competent authority in your own country. See the Apostille section of www.hcch.net. Not all countries issue apostilles, which may cause the legalization process to be a little more complex. COMPULSORY REGISTRATION IN THE BRP APPLIES TO EVERYONE • The Municipal Personal Records Database (Basisregistratie Personen in Dutch) holds details of everyone that lives in the Netherlands; registration is compulsory. • All who intend to stay for over four months must register at the BRP within five days of arrival. • Information shared at BRP is shared with other government platforms to reduce duplicate registrations and perform public tasks like determine charges for water and refuse collection, eligibility for social housing, and so on. • Your Citizen Service number – in Dutch burgerservicenummer (BSN) - is initiated here; helps to open a bank account, start work, and claim benefits. After completing the process, you can get a printout of your details to prove your residence and rights. • Documents required for registration include: passport (valid for a minimum period of the length of your stay), rental contract (in your name), employment contract (if applicable), birth and marriage certificates of all family members (see above for legal format). • To register, you need to make an appointment, and all members of your family (regardless of age) must be present at the first interview.
• If you move within the Netherlands, you can usually register the change of address online, depending on your municipality. If leaving the Netherlands, you need to deregister from the city hall were you are living (earliest 5 days before departure date). IND (IMMIGRATION AND NATURALISATION SERVICE) • Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst (IND) implements immigration policy including applications for residence permits, Dutch citizenship, visas, and asylum requests. • The website has extensive information in English, and downloadable brochures and forms. • Appointment must be made before visiting an IND desk. • To collect a permit, you must come in person. • Renewal forms are automatically sent to you. Office locations can be found on the IND website (www.ind.nl) or call +31 (0)88 043 0430 (call charges apply).
A stress and care free way to . . . Move to a new country Settle into a new place Making a new place feel like home
RELOCATION & ASSIGNMENT MANAGEMENT | IMMIGRATION | DESTINATION SERVICES | MOVING
Santa Fe Relocation H. Kamerlingh Onnesweg 3, 2408 AX Alphen aan den Rijn. The Netherlands
By email amsterdam@santaferelo.com By telephone Business: +31 172 44 7979
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