Netherlands Implements Automated System to Streamline Processing of International Student Residence Permits
Key Takeaways
1. From March to July, the IND's new "virtual assistant" processed over 13,000 residence permit applications for international students.
2. The IND’s detailed review process ensures a high approval rate for student applications, including those from China, India, and the US.
3. Residence permits will be distributed at the Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs in Utrecht on August 24, September 14, and October 5, with 7,000 permits issued each day.
Details
The Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) has implemented a “virtual assistant” to manage the influx of over 17,000 residence permit applications from international students this year. This automated system has enabled efficient, thorough, and round-the-clock processing of these applications.
By late July, the IND had received 17,187 applications from non-EU students. Previously, handling such a volume would have required around 15 temporary staff members. However, the automated system allowed the “virtual assistant” to process more than 13,000 applications between March and July. Although human oversight is still needed, automation has minimized the need for temporary staff training, saving significant time.
Imro Simmelink, IND Affairs Manager, noted that the Netherlands expects to handle all student residence permit applications before the summer, ahead of the academic year in September. The automation has eliminated the need for extensive training of temporary workers, allowing experienced staff to focus on other tasks.
High Approval Rate for Non-EU Student Residence Permits
According to an IND spokesperson, the multi-stage review process leads to a near-100% approval rate for residence permit applications. Last year, 99% of these applications were approved, and the rate for 2024 is also expected to be nearly 100%. Nearly 25% of international students come from outside the EU, with the largest numbers from:
- China
- India
- United States
- Türkiye
- Indonesia
Most residence permit applications are submitted on behalf of higher education students. The process begins with the academic institution verifying the student’s eligibility before forwarding the application to the IND. This method allows the IND to approve nearly all study-related residence permit applications.
As in previous years, the IND will distribute residence permits on August 24, September 14, and October 5 at the Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs in Utrecht. Approximately 7,000 permits will be issued each day to ensure students receive their documents promptly. The central IND process involves staff from across the organization to support this efficient delivery.