Humanitarian Grounds

Residence permit on humanitarian grounds

📋 8 steps total2 free pre-arrival steps🔒 6 post-arrival steps

The full Dutch Humanitarian Grounds process

  1. Obtain or Renew Passport

    Make sure your national passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended entry into the Netherlands.

  2. Apply for Humanitarian Grounds permit

    Apply for residence permit on humanitarian grounds (asylum or other humanitarian reasons)

    ~180 days🔗 Official link
  3. Submit biometrics at IND

    Detailed instructions, official links and progress tracking for this step are included in the full flow.

    🔗 Official link
    Post-arrival steps are part of the full flow. Start free to track your pre-arrival progress, then unlock the 6 post-arrival steps when you land.
  4. Collect residence permit card

    Detailed instructions, official links and progress tracking for this step are included in the full flow.

    🔗 Official link
  5. Register at municipality (BRP & BSN)

    Detailed instructions, official links and progress tracking for this step are included in the full flow.

    🔗 Official link
  6. Open a bank account

    Detailed instructions, official links and progress tracking for this step are included in the full flow.

    🔗 Official link
  7. Obtain health insurance

    Detailed instructions, official links and progress tracking for this step are included in the full flow.

    🔗 Official link
  8. Apply for DigiD

    Detailed instructions, official links and progress tracking for this step are included in the full flow.

    🔗 Official link

Track this journey instead of reading about it

Turn this guide into a personal checklist: tick off steps, keep your documents together, and always know what comes next.

Other routes to the Netherlands