How long may the IND take to decide?
The legal decision period for every type of application. It starts on the day the IND receives your application – and a complete file is the best way to get a decision on time.
Last checked: 12 October 2026| Application | Decision period | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Work | ||
| Highly skilled migrant | 90 days | 45 days in some cases (e.g. scientific research, certain current permits), +15 days in special cases |
| EU Blue Card | 30 / 45 / 90 days | 30 days with a recognised sponsor, long-term mobility or accompanying family; 45 days with certain current permits; otherwise 90 days |
| Paid employment | 90 days | 45 days in some cases |
| Change of employer (notification) | 45 days | +15 days in special cases; 90 days if combined with an extension |
| Research | 60 days | Target: 2 weeks for complete applications from recognised sponsors |
| Work experience | 60 days | Target: 2 weeks with a recognised sponsor |
| Seasonal work | 90 days | 60 days if you had a seasonal work permit here in the last 5 years |
| Recognition as sponsor (employers) | 3 months | Can be extended by 6 months |
| Study | ||
| Study | 60 days | Target: 2 weeks with a recognised sponsor |
| European Solidarity Corps exchange | 60 days | Target: 2 weeks with a recognised sponsor |
| Family & EU | ||
| Regular temporary permits (incl. family, MVV, extension, change of purpose) | 90 days | Applies to most first applications and extensions |
| Verification against EU law | 6 months | Family of EU, EEA or Swiss citizens |
| Residence with a minor Dutch child (Chavez) | 6 months | |
| Long-term residence, family of EU/EEA/Swiss nationals | 90 days | |
| Permanent residence, EU/EEA/Swiss nationals | 90 days | A "reasonable period" |
| Withdrawal Agreement residence document | 6 months | British nationals |
| Withdrawal Agreement permanent residence document | 90 days | British nationals |
| Family reunification with an asylum permit holder | 9 months | |
| Permanent residence & citizenship | ||
| Permanent residence or EU long-term resident | 6 months | |
| Naturalisation | 1 year | Starts when the application is complete and the fee is paid; can be extended twice by 6 months |
| Other | ||
| Replacement or extension of a residence document | 8 weeks | A "reasonable period" |
| Identity document type W / W2 | 8 weeks | A "reasonable period" |
| Asylum | 6 months | 3 months in the accelerated procedure; in exceptional cases up to 21 months in total |
Extensions, start dates and objections
When does the clock start?
On the day the IND receives your application. For naturalisation: when the application is complete and the fee is paid.
Incomplete application
The IND can ask for missing documents – you usually get 2 weeks, and the decision period is extended by that time. For regular applications an extension of up to 6 months is possible.
First work permit
The decision period for an initial residence permit for work can be extended by 30 days, with reasons given.
Objections
Regular objections: 6 to 19 weeks depending on the application, plus 6 weeks if needed. Naturalisation objection: 6 weeks + 6 weeks. How to object →
Is the IND late?
Once the decision period has passed, you can formally put the IND in default (ingebrekestelling). We check your dates and can prepare it for you.
Source: IND – decision periods. Yari Immigration Services is an independent advisory firm and not part of the IND.