Politics · Netherlands · 21 hrs ago
Netherlands to give working status holders more time for integration
The Dutch cabinet plans to extend integration deadlines for some status holders, people with a residence permit after seeking asylum.
Those who work at least 28 hours a week can get up to three extra years, if they have worked continuously for at least three months.
The change is due to take effect next year, and also covers people who start work under the same conditions.
The government says work can help people learn Dutch and local customs, while many status holders find it hard to combine integration requirements with a full-time job.
Parents caring for young children may get up to one extra year if childcare is unavailable.
The cabinet hopes 75,000 more status holders will be working within four years, and plans to assess the rules in the second half of 2027.
The Dutch cabinet plans to give working refugees with residence permits up to three extra years to complete their integration requirements.
Eligible people must work, or have worked, at least 28 hours a week and have been employed continuously for at least three months.
The rules are due to take effect next year, and the government plans to evaluate them in the second half of 2027.
The cabinet says the changes are intended to make work the norm during integration and help more refugees find jobs.
Parents caring for young children may receive up to one extra year if childcare is unavailable.
- Who
- The Dutch cabinet and refugees with residence permits who work or have worked at least 28 hours a week.
- What
- The cabinet plans to allow eligible working refugees up to three extra years to complete integration requirements.
- When
- The rules are due to take effect next year. They are to be evaluated in the second half of 2027.
- Where
- The Netherlands.
- Why
- The cabinet says the current integration requirements can be difficult to combine with full-time work and wants more refugees to work.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The new rules are due to take effect.
The government plans to evaluate the rules.
- Extra time for working refugees
- Up to three years
- Minimum work requirement
- At least 28 hours a week
- Minimum continuous employment
- Three months
- Evaluation
- Second half of 2027
- Extra time for some parents
- Up to one year if childcare is unavailable
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What people are saying
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The sooner people who come here start working, the greater the support for welcoming them into our society.