Taking an integration course
What is it?
People who come to live in the Netherlands for a long time with a residence permit must learn to speak Dutch and know how society works. If these people want to continue living and working in the Netherlands, they must integrate.
To prove that they speak the language and know how Dutch society works, newcomers take a mandatory integration exam. The integration exam consists of six sections: writing skills, reading skills, speaking skills, listening skills, knowledge of Dutch society and orientation to the Dutch labor market, and a participation statement. If someone passes all parts, he is integrated and receives an integration diploma.
How does it work?
People who have to integrate are required to integrate. There are arrangements for the people who have to integrate. These arrangements are not the same for everyone. The people who have to integrate are divided into 3 groups: newcomers, old-comers and spiritual servants.
You are a newcomer if you:
- Does not have a Dutch passport,
- Are between 16 and 65 years old
- and came to live in the Netherlands after January 1, 2007
You are also a newcomer if you:
- Does not have a Dutch passport,
- Are between the ages of 16 and 65,
- and you were a newcomer under the old Newcomer Integration Act on December 31, 2006. This means that you had already applied to the municipality for integration before January 1, 2007, or that you were already taking an integration course on December 31, 2006.
You are veteran if you:
- Does not have a Dutch passport,
- Are between the ages of 16 and 65,
- already lived in the Netherlands before January 1, 2007,
- have lived in the Netherlands for less than eight years when you were subject to compulsory education (everyone between the ages of 5 and 17 is subject to compulsory education in the Netherlands. He or she must then attend school),
- and have no diplomas that show you know the Dutch language and the Netherlands well.
You are a spiritual minister if you have work related to a religion or church. Examples of spiritual ministers are:
- minister or pastor (e.g. imam, pastor, hospital pastor, rabbi, pandit)
- pastoral worker
- religion teacher
- philosophy teacher
- humanistic counselor or counselor
- missionary
- (consult with the congregation if you are unsure if you are a spiritual minister)
Asylum seekers do not have to become citizens. In fact, they are not even allowed to integrate while they are in the asylum procedure. Once they are recognized as refugees and allowed to stay in the Netherlands, they must integrate. Refugees who are obliged to integrate since 2013 are responsible for their own integration.
You pay for the civic integration course and exam yourself. Can't pay for the civic integration course and exam? You can borrow money through DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs). Are you unable to pass the exam? Then you can ask not to take the exam.
Are you required to integrate and did you receive a residence permit after January 1, 2013? Then you can ask your questions to the Department of Education (DUO) via the website www.inburgeren.nl or via the civic integration phone, tel: 050 5999 600.
Did you receive your residence permit before January 1, 2013, or are you not required to integrate? If so, contact your municipality or Bureau Integratie Impuls Kerkrade. Impuls contributes to the successful integration of newcomers in Kerkrade. You can contact Impuls for lessons or programs about Dutch society and for individual guidance in your integration process.
How long does it take?
Have you already taken an integration exam abroad? Then you must pass your civic integration exam in the Netherlands within 3.5 years.
Have you not yet taken an integration exam abroad? Then you must pass your civic integration exam in the Netherlands within 5 years.
If you fail the civics exam, you must take it again. You take the exam just as many times until you pass it. Until then, you will not receive a permanent residence permit. If you do not cooperate sufficiently and therefore fail the exam, the municipality may fine you.
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