Residency non-Ukrainians with temporary Ukrainian residence permit

Last update: 3 May 2024

You do not have the Ukrainian nationality and you had a temporary residence permit in Ukraine. Read more about your right of residence in the Netherlands. 

Right to stay is temporarily extended

Non-Ukrainians who had a temporary Ukrainian residence permit (third-country nationals) may temporarily continue to make use of the rights that come with the Temporary Protection Directive. Such as work, financial aid and reception from the municipality. This is because the Secretary of Justice and Security has frozen the consequences of the ending of the temporary protection (only in Dutch). The Court of Justice of the European Union (the EU court) must deliver a judgment on questions asked by the Council of State on 25 April 2024. The freeze and the rights of the directive are valid until the EU court delivers a judgment. Has the EU court not yet delivered a judgment on 4 March 2025? Then the rights will end on that day, provisionally. 

To whom the freeze applies

The freeze applies if you meet the following conditions: 

  • Your temporary protection ended on 5 March 2024. 
  • You are registered with the municipality in the Personal Records Database (BRP).  Have you been deregistered from the BRP after 4 March 2024? Then you must inform the municipality before 4 May 2024 that you want to register again. It does not matter if the municipality processes your registration after 4 May. 
  • You did not leave the Netherlands with the help of the Repatriation & Departure Service (in Dutch: Dienst Terugkeer & Vertrek or DT&V) or other financial assistance. You have not left the Schengen area

Proof of residency

You will receive a sticker in your passport from the IND. This is called a residence endorsement sticker. With this sticker you prove that the freeze applies to you. And that you are allowed to live and work in the Netherlands temporarily. 

Appointment to collect sticker

Please make an appointment to collect a sticker starting 6 May 2024. The sticker will not be available before 6 May. To find the appointment planner, use the link or QR code from the letter that you will receive. You will make the appointment at the Amsterdam Ukraine IND desk (Gatwickstraat 1). It is not possible to collect the sticker at a different IND desk. Children below the age of 14 will not get a sticker and do not need to make an appointment.

Bring to the appointment

  • Your valid passport.
  • Your appointment code. You will receive this code by email once you have made the appointment.
  • Your card (O-document or W-document).
  • If your card has been lost or stolen, a police report.

Letter as temporary proof of residency

Does the freeze apply to you? Then the IND has sent you a letter on 2 May 2024. The letter states you may temporarily stay longer in the Netherlands. The letter also counts as a temporary proof of residency, until you collect your sticker. Until then, use this letter and your (old) card to show that the freeze applies to you. This card is an O-document, or a W-document if you follow the asylum procedure.

Rights of the directive during asylum procedure

Do you follow the asylum procedure? The freeze also applies to you if you meet its conditions. The rights that come with the application for the asylum permit then apply to you. As well as the rights of the Temporary Protection Directive. In addition to a W-document, you will also need the residence endorsement sticker. Does the IND decide that you will not receive an asylum permit? Then the rights of the directive will continue to apply to you as long as the freeze applies. 

Asylum application processing continues

In March or June 2023, we sent out a letter about your asylum application. In that letter, we asked you if you wanted to continue your asylum application. Have you let the IND know before 4 September 2023 that you want to continue? Then the IND will continue processing your asylum application. The IND is trying to make a decision before 4 September 2024. It is important that you come to the IND or respond if we ask you to do so. Otherwise, this may have consequences for the assessment of your asylum application. 

Rights of the directive in case of residence permit (or application)

Have you applied for or received another residence permit (not asylum)? For example for work or study? The freeze also applies to you if you meet its conditions. The rights associated with the (application for) the residence permit then apply to you. As well as the rights of the Temporary Protection Directive. In addition to a residence permit, you will also need the residence endorsement sticker.

No entry visa (mvv) required

Are you applying for a residence permit before 5 September 2024? Then you do not need a provisional residence permit (mvv). You must still meet all other requirements for the residence permit.

Reason behind the freeze

The temporary protection ended on 5 March 2024 due to the ruling of the Council of State (only in Dutch). The Council of State is the highest administrative court in the Netherlands. Since then, a number of third-country nationals have appealed to the courts. Courts decided differently on these appeals. That is why the Council of State has asked questions to the EU Court. The EU court checks whether countries use and explain EU rules correctly. The questions are about the moment when the temporary protection stopped. The State Secretary of Justice and Security has decided to await the judgment of the EU court.

Return decision temporarily not valid

Did you not have another residence permit and did the IND not process your application in the asylum procedure? Then you received a return decision from the IND. The return decision stated that you had to leave the Netherlands no later than 1 April 2024. Due to the freeze, this return decision is temporarily not valid.