Refugees and asylum seekers

Are you a refugee or asylum seeker? If so, finding your way in The Netherlands can be difficult. The municipality of Leiden can help those with a refugee status to integrate into Dutch society.

Requesting asylum

Do you wish to request asylum? Or do you wish to become a Dutch citizen? If so, report to the Immigration and Naturalisation service (IND). The IND handles your asylum procedure, and may assign a residency permit or reject a request for asylum.

Refugee housing

The Central Organ Asylum seekers (COA) is responsible for housing asylum seekers in The Netherlands, including in the Leiden municipality.

Integration

Do you reside in the Netherlands and do you have a refugee status? If so, you are required to integrate. You will be provided with Dutch language classes and lessons on Dutch society. You will have 3 years to complete the courses. Afterwards an exam will be required.

VluchtelingenWerk Zuidwest-Nederland offers support and guidance for asylum seekers and refugees in the provinces of South Holland and Zealand. This is offered throughout the asylum procedure, from arrival to self-sufficiency.

VluchtelingenWerk offers legal support during the asylum procedure, when seeking family reunification or when seeking to extend the duration of one's refugee status. VluchtelingenWerk also offers support to those returning to their country of origin.

The Leiden municipality wishes that those who hold refugee status can find employment or an education. To this end the municipality uses the Project JA Statushouders (JAS).

Through this project the municipality supports those holding refugee status integrate into The Netherlands. For example, by offering welfare benefits and an intensive support and supervision. The program will be tailored to the individual status holder. A status holder will be expected to be active for 24 hours a week, in 4 periods of 24 weeks.