Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND)

The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) is a Dutch government agency responsible for handling immigration matters. It processes applications for visas, residence permits, and Dutch citizenship, ensuring that immigration rules are followed. IND assesses individuals’ reasons for entering or staying in the Netherlands, such as work, study, or family reunification, and makes decisions based on legal criteria. Its role is to facilitate lawful immigration while maintaining national security and social cohesion. Essentially, IND manages who can enter and stay in the Netherlands, ensuring the process is fair, transparent, and in accordance with the law.