Temporary residence permits; purpose of stay and nationality

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This table shows the number of temporary residence permits granted for the first time. Permits are differentiated by purpose and the nationality of the persons concerned. Permits are differentiated by purpose and the nationality of the persons concerned. This table contains both asylum permits and ordinary residence permits. Ordinary permits are given to non-Dutch persons mainly for work, study, family reunification, or family formation. Children of non-Dutch persons, born in the Netherlands and not in the possession of the Dutch nationality also need a residence permit. Since April 2014, the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service also issues combined permits for residence and work: single permits (GGVA). These are included in the table since 2014. All permits in the table have a validity period of three months or more.

Data available from: 2008.

Status of the figures:
The figures up to 2021 are final. The 2022 figures are provisional.

Changes as of August 2023:
For the country of origin, a new classification has been created which is based on continents and a few countries with a specific migration history. This will replace the concepts of western/non-western migration background.
Simultaneously with this adjustment, nine countries have been moved from Europe to Asia. These countries are: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Turkey

When will new figures be published?
The new figures for 2023 will be available in June 2024.

Description topics

Asylum residence permit
Individuals whose asylum request is granted, receive a residence permit for asylum. An asylum residence permit may cover an asylum application from the same or from a previous year.

Figures include invited refugees until 2011 (approximately 500 per year).
Total residence permits asylum
Figures include invited refugees until 2011 (approximately 500 per year)
Refugee status / Beneficiary status
Refugee status: the recognition of a third country national or a stateless person as a refugee.

Beneficiary status: is granted to someone who does not qualify for the status of refugee and who has a chance of serious risk by returning to their home land. For example: if they are a victim of punishment, torture, indiscriminate violence in an armed conflict etc.

Including invited refugees until 2011 (approximately 500 per year).

Humanitarian reasons
Besides admission under international treaties, it is possible that someone is granted a residence permit on the basis of national politics. This is particularly the case when someone has suffered traumatic experiences. This person receives a permit based on compelling humanitarian reasons.

Ordinary permit by purpose of stay
Individuals whose request for a regular permit has been granted receive an ordinary permit. They did not come here for asylum, but for example to work, to study, for family reunification or for family formation. Non-Dutch persons who want to stay in the Netherlands for more three months and are not EU, EER or Swiss nationals, need a residence permit.
Total ordinary residence permit
Family reunification / formation
Residence permit which is granted in connection with family reunion.

Family reunification:
One or more family members are settling in the Netherlands to be reunited and live with their families who have emigrated in the past.

Family formation:
This may concern marriage, relationship and children under 18. It is for people who come to the Netherlands for marriage, registered partnership or live with a partner already in the Netherlands (with whom this person has never lived before).

Total family reunification / formation
Residence permit which is granted in connection with family reunion.

Family reunification:
This means that one or more family members are settling in the Netherlands to be reunited and live with their families who have emigrated in the past.

Family formation:
People who come to the Netherlands for marriage, registered partnership or live with a partner already in the Netherlands (with whom this person has never lived before).
Husband / wife
Husband or wife, registered partner or unmarried partner.
Child under 18
Child under 18
Other family reunification
Other not previously mentioned relatives such as parents or adult children.
Study
Residence permit granted for study. The residence permit must be requested at the school where the person wishes to study.
Labour: employee or self-employed person
Total labour