Overview
Are you new to the Netherlands? Usually, this means that you need to integrate. Learning Dutch is part of the integration process. In addition, you need to learn about living and working in the Netherlands. After this, you usually take an exam.
Starting your integration
If you are required to integrate, DUO will send you a letter stating the date you start your integration.
You won’t get the letter until you:
- have a burgerservicenummer (BSN), and
- have a residence permit, and
- have been registered with the municipality.
Once all these things have been arranged, it can still take 8 weeks until you get the letter.
If 8 weeks have passed and you still have not received the letter, please contact us.
Lost the letter
Do you no longer have the letter? In Mijn Inburgering you can see the date you started your integration.
Are you required to integrate under the 2021 civic integration act ('Wet inburgering 2021')? If so, the municipality will invite you for an interview. You will also do a test in order to find out what you already know: the 'Leerbaarheidstoets' (LBT). The municipality will make an appointment with you for the test. We call the interview and the test the 'broad intake'.
After the 'broad intake', the municipality will make a plan with you: the personal integration and participation plan (PIP). This plan says what you need to do to integrate. It also says if you need to take an exam. And which exam.
If you would like to know more, please watch the video "Inburgeren in 2022" Link opent externe pagina (English spoken). The video is also available in Dutch Link opent externe pagina , Spanish Link opent externe pagina , Farsi Link opent externe pagina , Tigrinya Link opent externe pagina , Somalian Link opent externe pagina , Arabic Link opent externe pagina , Dari Link opent externe pagina en Pashto Link opent externe pagina .
Required to integrate before 2013
Were you already required to integrate before 1 January 2013? If so, this website is not for you. Contact the municipality and ask them what you need to do.
Required to integrate under the 2013 Act
Are you required to integrate under the 2013 civic integration act ('Wet inburgering 2013')? If so, you need to take the integration exam. You can study on your own for the exam. But you can also choose to take a course at a school.
3 years to integrate
You have 3 years to integrate. This is called the integration period.
Voluntary integration
You can also integrate on a voluntary basis. This means that there is no obligation but you want to integrate anyway. For instance in order to naturalise or apply for a stronger residence permit.
Step-by-step plan
The route you need to follow to integrate depends on your situation. View all steps of your integration.