You can apply to the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) yourself: the law does not require a lawyer for a residence permit application, and for work permits through a recognised sponsor the employer files the application anyway. The exception is a refusal or a complicated case: then the four-week deadline for an objection (bezwaar) and the quality of your arguments decide the outcome, and legal help is often worth it.
This article explains how an IND application works, when you can handle it yourself and when an immigration lawyer adds something.
Table of contents
When can you apply to the IND without a lawyer?
You can usually manage on your own when the conditions are clear and your documents are complete. The IND publishes its requirements, forms and fees on ind.nl.
- You extend an existing permit and nothing has changed in your work, income or family situation.
- You are a highly skilled migrant and your employer, as a recognised sponsor (erkend referent), files the application.
- It is a first application with complete documents and you have never been refused before.
- There is no deadline pressure and no question about documents from several countries.
When is an immigration lawyer worth it?
A lawyer adds most when the IND has refused, when a deadline is running or when your right of residence depends on facts that are open to discussion. A mistake then costs months and a new IND fee.
- A previous application was refused, or you are within the deadline for an objection or appeal (beroep).
- Your documents come from several countries and need legalisation or an apostille.
- Your residence depends on a change of employer, a problem with your sponsor, or income close to the IND threshold.
- You face a decision that you must leave the Netherlands and need to ask the court for a provisional measure (voorlopige voorziening).
- As an employer you sponsor several employees and want your IND obligations in order.
How do you apply for a residence permit step by step?
The procedure follows the same five steps for most permits. Requirements, forms and fees differ per purpose of stay.
Step 1: choose the right purpose of stay
Every permit is linked to one purpose: work (for example highly skilled migrant or EU Blue Card), study, family reunification (gezinshereniging), self-employment or long-term residence. The purpose determines the income requirement, the documents and who applies. See our overview of Dutch immigration law.
Step 2: check whether you need an MVV
Most non-EU nationals first need a provisional residence permit (machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf, MVV) to enter the Netherlands. Nationals of some countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan and the United Kingdom, are exempt. If you need an MVV, the entry and residence procedure (TEV) combines the MVV and the residence permit in one application.
Step 3: collect your documents
This is where most delays start. Birth and marriage certificates issued abroad usually need an apostille or legalisation, depending on the country. Documents in a language other than Dutch, English, French or German need a translation by a sworn translator.
Step 4: submit the application and pay the fee
You apply with the IND form for your purpose of stay, or online where the IND offers that. For work and study, the recognised sponsor applies for you. The IND fee (leges) for 2026 is, for example, €423 for a first application as a highly skilled migrant and €254 for a partner; the IND fee table on ind.nl lists all amounts.
Step 5: wait for the decision
The IND decides within its statutory decision period; applications through a recognised sponsor are usually handled faster. Since 15 April 2025, the IND no longer owes an administrative penalty (dwangsom) when it decides late. You can still go to court, which can order the IND to decide within a set period on pain of a penalty.
What can you do if the IND refuses your application?
You can file an objection with the IND within four weeks. The decision letter states the exact date; a late objection is declared inadmissible without the IND looking at the substance.
In immigration cases this deadline is shorter than the six weeks of general administrative law. If the objection is rejected, you can appeal to the District Court (rechtbank), also within four weeks. If you are not allowed to await the objection in the Netherlands, the IND says you must ask the court for a provisional measure within 24 hours after receiving the decision. Our guide to the objection procedure explains the steps.
What does legal help cost?
Lawyers charge an hourly rate or a fixed fee per procedure, agreed in writing in advance. Law & More charges €295 per hour excl. VAT; a standard residence permit application costs indicatively €2,500 to €3,500. The IND fee is always separate and is not refunded after a refusal.
If your income and assets are low, you may qualify for subsidised legal aid (gesubsidieerde rechtsbijstand). The Legal Aid Board (Raad voor Rechtsbijstand) decides on this, and you pay an own contribution based on your income. The Legal Services Counter (Juridisch Loket) gives free first-line information.
What should you check as an applicant?
Before you submit anything, check these points against the current information on ind.nl:
- Have you chosen the purpose of stay that matches your actual situation?
- Do you need an MVV, or are you exempt based on your nationality?
- Are all foreign certificates legalised or apostilled and translated by a sworn translator?
- Does your income meet the IND threshold for 2026 on the date of application?
- Do you know the date on which an objection must be filed, if a refusal comes?
What should you check as an employer?
As a recognised sponsor you apply for your employees and carry duties towards the IND. The IND can impose a fine or suspend your recognition if you do not meet them.
- Check that the salary meets the IND threshold, also after changes in hours or pay.
- Report relevant changes to the IND, such as the end of the employment.
- Keep the required administration on every sponsored employee.
- Check that the employee’s documents are complete before you file.
What can we do for you with an IND application?
Our guide on what an immigration lawyer actually does describes our services in detail. In short:
- We check your file and documents before you submit the application.
- We read a refusal, assess the grounds and tell you whether an objection is useful.
- We draft the objection and file it with the IND within the four-week deadline.
- We request a provisional measure from the court when you may not await the decision in the Netherlands.
- We represent you at the hearing and in appeal before the District Court.
- We review your company’s sponsor obligations and procedures.
Summary
- A lawyer is not required for an IND application; many first applications and extensions can be done yourself.
- Employers that are recognised sponsors file work-based applications for their employees.
- Most delays come from foreign documents that are not legalised or translated.
- Against a refusal you have four weeks to object; the decision states the exact date.
- Legal help is most useful after a refusal, with deadline pressure or in sponsor issues.
Frequently asked questions
Can I handle my IND application without a lawyer?
Yes. A lawyer is not required for an IND application. For an extension without changes, or a work permit filed by a recognised sponsor, many people manage on their own. After a refusal, or when documents come from several countries, legal help is often worth it.
How long do I have to object to an IND refusal?
Four weeks. The decision letter states the exact date by which the IND must receive your objection. A late objection is declared inadmissible.
What happens if the IND decides too late?
Since 15 April 2025, the IND no longer owes an administrative penalty for late decisions. You can go to court, which can order the IND to decide within a set period on pain of a penalty.
What documents should I gather first?
Usually a valid passport, your current permit or MVV if you have one, an employment contract or proof of income, and foreign certificates with an apostille or legalisation and a sworn translation where needed. Add any previous correspondence with the IND.
