Ministerie van Justitie, Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst
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Categories frequently asked questions:
What has changed for naturalisation candidates since 1 January?
The Civic Integration Act entered into force on 1 January 2007. As a result of this, the Naturalisation Test has been replaced with the Civic Integration Examination Abroad. Since 2 January 2007, foreign nationals who wish to acquire Dutch citizenship have been able to sit the Civic Integration Examination Abroad prior to submitting their application for naturalisation. The format of the Civic Integration Examination Abroad is different to that of the Naturalisation Test, however the level of difficulty has not changed and the fees have remained about the same.
An important difference is the addition of two new exemption categories: the Exemption Test (Short Form) and the Civic Integration Examination Abroad. A number of grounds for exemption will also be added as of 1 April. See the brochure entitled ‘Inburgeringsexamen: voorwaarde voor naturalisatie’ [‘Civic Integration: conditions in respect of naturalisation’] for details.
What is the difference between the former Naturalisation Test and the new Civic Integration Examination Abroad?
The level of difficulty is the same, namely A2 under the Common European Framework for Languages (this is equivalent to level 2 under the Naturalisation Test), however the examination method is different. The new examination consists of the following components:
Decentralised component
• Portfolio
• Practical tests (assessments) Central component
• Digital practical test [Digitale Praktijktoets]
• 'Knowledge of Dutch Society' ['Kennis van de Nederlandse Samenleving'] examination
• Spoken Dutch Test [Toets Gesproken Nederlands]
A portfolio consists of evidence of 30 situations that an individual has experienced in practice, such as registering a birth or a discussion with a teacher at a child's school. This evidence is assessed by an examination body, after which the candidate will be required to justify his or her evidence in front of a panel from this examination body. If a candidate does not have any evidence of practical situations, he or she may take an oral examination (‘the assessment’) instead of submitting a portfolio. During the assessment, the candidate must demonstrate that he or she has sufficient command of Dutch by taking part in 6 role plays. The assessments are not marked by the Information Management Group [Informatie Beheer Groep, IBG] itself, but by designated examination bodies. It is also possible to combine these two options. If an individual has evidence of a number of situations, however not as many as 30, the candidate may supplement this by taking part in a number of role plays.
The Spoken Dutch Test is a telephone test in which you will be required to repeat sentences, answer questions and give brief accounts of stories. The Digital Practical Test and Knowledge of Dutch Society module are taken using a computer. The Digital Practical Test consists of questions regarding practical situations.
Which organisation is responsible for what?
For any questions regarding the Civic Integration Examination Abroad as a replacement for the Naturalisation Test (therefore questions regarding exemptions and special dispensation), please contact the IND. For all other questions regarding the Civic Integration Examination Abroad, you can contact the Information Management Group [Informatie Beheer Groep] (050-5999600), the Civic Integration Front Office [Front office inburgering] (070-3709100), or your municipality.
Where can I find further information?
Further information on the Civic Integration Examination Abroad within the context of naturalisation can be found at www.ind.nl.
Further information on the examination and how to register can be found at www.inburgeren.nl.
Further information on the new civic integration system can be found at www.inburgering.net.
Further information on which institutions are authorised to conduct the examination can be found at www.kce.nl.
Where can I register?
You must register with the Information Management Group [Informatie Beheer Groep]. See www.inburgeren.nl or www.ib-groep.nl..
Where can I sit the new Civic Integration Examination Abroad (cities and addresses) and how do I enter?
The central part of the examination is taken at the following 6 locations designated by the Information Management Group [Informatie Beheer Groep]:
- Amsterdam: Ottho Heldringstraat 5, 1066 AZ Amsterdam.
- Nijmegen: Keizer Karelplein 32d, bezoekersingang Van Schaeck Mathonsingel, Nijmegen.
- Eindhoven: Aristo Eindhoven, Vestdijk 32, 5611 CC, Eindhoven.
- Rotterdam: Broekhuistraining (in the Groot Handelsgebouw), Stationsplein 45, 3013 AK, Rotterdam.
- Utrecht: 'Dienst Maatschappelijke Ontwikkeling' municipality Utrecht, Kaatstraat 1, 3513 BK Utrecht.
- Zwolle: Information Management Group, Hanzelaan 280, 8017 JJ, Zwolle.
The decentralised component is taken via certified examinations bureaus. These can be: Regional Training Centres [Regionaal Opleidingen Centra, ROC’s], private language training companies or reintegration companies. You can find a list of these companies on the following website: www.kce.nl.
What is the fee for a Civic Integration Examination Abroad?
If you wish to take the Civic Integration Examination Abroad with the Information Management Group [Informatie Beheer Groep] you must pay a fee. The fees for the various examinations are as follows:
Who is not required to take the examination, who is exempt?
Individuals who hold a Civic Integration (Newcomers) Act [Wet inburgering nieuwkomers, WIN] certificate must, as well as attaining at minimum of level 2 in all language modules, also pass the Social Orientation [Maatschappij Oriëntatie] module at level 2 under the Education Quality Structure [Kwaliteitsstructuur Educatie].
- Individuals who have resided in the Netherlands for a period of at least eight years while of school age
- Individuals who hold a school leaving certificate obtained in Belgium or Surinam. This must have been obtained following education via a Dutch-language study programme and with a satisfactory grade for the subject of Dutch language. The level of the course must be higher than primary school and the diploma issued must have a legal basis.
- Individual who are in possession of a diploma from a European school, in which the subject of Dutch language was followed as a first or second language and a satisfactory grade was achieved for Dutch language
- Individuals in possession of an Exemption Test (Short Form) certificate
- Individuals in possession of a Naturalisation Test certificate.
Partial exemption:
- Individuals who hold a Settled Immigrant Civic Integration Certificate which states that they have attained level 2 for all language modules, together with a Knowledge of Dutch Society (KNS) results letter
- Individuals who have passed part I of the Naturalisation Test shall be granted an exemption in respect of the Knowledge of Dutch Society module.
What is the Exemption Test (Short Form)?
The Exemption Test (Short Form) is a condensed examination that can be taken on a computer. This examination is taken at a higher language level than the standard Civic Integration Examination Abroad,
namely B1 level. Individuals who pass the Short Exemption Test shall be issued an Exemption Test (Short Form) certificate. If an individual applying for naturalisation is issued this certificate, he or she will be granted an exemption from the obligation to take the test or the examination.
What type of test are foreign nationals who are abroad required to take? Do they also need to sit a Civic Integration Examination Abroad?
Yes, but just the central part. If you are abroad you are therefore exempt from the decentralised component. You sit the examination at the embassy.
The following applies with regard to exemptions abroad: if you believe that you cannot be expected to pass the examination however hard you try (in the event of illiteracy), you must visit the Regional Training Centre in Amsterdam in order to take a feasibility test. The test can only be taken at this centre.
There is no prescribed format for an exemption on medical grounds and this may therefore be demonstrated by means of a declaration issued by a foreign doctor.
What should I do if I am not able to take the examination due to illness?
If you are not able to take the examination as a result of physical or psychological problems, you must report this to the municipality. The Department of Civic Integration for your municipality will tell you which doctor you must go to for an examination. Each of the municipalities in the Netherlands has made agreements with doctors, who will issue a medical recommendation regarding your ability to pass the Civic Integration Examination Abroad. It is therefore not possible to present a declaration from your own (general) practitioner.
For how long will it still be possible to use a Naturalisation Test certificate in order to apply for naturalisation? Do these have an expiry date?
The certificates do not have an expiry date.
I have taken part in a civic integration programme, followed by a profile test. I achieved a minimum of level 2 for three modules, but unfortunately not for the speaking module (level 1). If I take the Civic Integration Examination Abroad can just take the speaking module separately?
As before, in this type of situation you will not be granted an exemption from (part of) the Naturalisation Test. In this case you will therefore be required to take and pass the full Civic Integration Examination Abroad. However, if you have passed part 1, the Social Orientation part, of the Naturalisation Test, you will be granted an exemption from the KNS module of the Civic Integration Examination Abroad.
Are there any examples or practice questions for the new examination?
These will be published as soon as possible at www.inburgering.net. Approval is still required prior to publication.
If you have been granted an exemption from the new civic integration and you wish to acquire Dutch nationality, will you still be required to take the Civic Integration Examination Abroad?
Yes, unless you fall within one of the above-mentioned exemption categories.
Will there be any changes for people who are illiterate?
Yes, a number of changes that apply to people who are illiterate took effect on 1 April 2007 (date of application for naturalisation). Candidates for naturalisation who indicate that they are illiterate can still report to the Regional Training Centre in Amsterdam in order to undergo a feasibility test. However, candidates who have submitted their application for naturalisation after 1 April 2007 will also be required to take the Spoken Dutch Test. It is recommended that candidates first take this examination and then the much more expensive feasibility test.