The aim of the integration programme is to enable every newcomer to participate in society and the labour market as quickly as possible. Do you need to complete the integration programme in the municipality of Apeldoorn, or would you like information about the integration programme? Read below to find out which information applies to your situation. If you are living in the asylum seekers’ centre (AZC) in Apeldoorn but are being allocated a home in another municipality, please contact your new local authority.
Are you due to start your integration programme on 1 January 2022 or later?
If you were granted your residence permit after 1 January 2022, the new Integration Act applies to you. You will receive a letter from DUO regarding your integration. After you have moved house, the local authority will invite you to attend a number of interviews and sit a test. The local authority will support you with your integration and will draw up a personalised plan with you. This plan will be tailored to your individual circumstances.
For example, the plan sets out the level at which you will be learning Dutch. It also details any arrangements made regarding (volunteer) work or a work placement, and the number of hours you are required to devote to integration. The integration programme also includes attending sessions on the Participation Declaration and signing that declaration.
Have you been granted residence status because you were an asylum seeker?
Are you planning to live in Apeldoorn? Apeldoorn Council would like to meet you as soon as possible, even whilst you are still living in an asylum seekers’ centre. The council will contact you to arrange an appointment. Sometimes the appointment will take place at the asylum seekers’ centre, sometimes at the council offices, and sometimes online.
The local authority will organise and pay for your integration programme (such as language lessons, work placements and support in finding a job). Immediately after you move here, the local authority will also help you with your finances and teach you about managing your money in the Netherlands.
Are you not an asylum seeker, but, for example, a family migrant?
In that case, you can choose your own integration course provider. You will need to pay for the course and the exams yourself. To do this, you can borrowing money from DUO.
Did you have to start your integration programme before 1 January 2022?
You were granted your residence permit in 2021 or earlier. In that case, the old Integration Act applies to you. You have received a letter from DUO. The letter states the date from which you must begin your integration programme. You have three years to complete the integration programme. If you cannot read and/or write, you will be given extra time to learn these skills.
You will need to arrange your integration course yourself. You can take out a loan to pay for the lessons. If you have any questions about your integration, please contact your local council or your integration course provider.
Are you an asylum seeker?
By ‘asylum seeker’, we mean that you have been granted residence status because you came here as an asylum seeker. In that case, the local authority will support you with your integration and/or participation in Apeldoorn. You will receive an invitation to an interview.
Have you borrowed the maximum amount from DUO, but haven’t yet completed your integration course?
The local council may be able to help you. Please contact the local council via Inburgering@apeldoorn.nl or telephone number 14 055.
Would you like to find out more about the new Integration Act?
On the websites of Divosa and VNG You will find a wealth of information about the law and related changes.
If you have a specific enquiry, you can also ring the local council and ask to speak to the integration project leader or the integration team coordinator.
Please contact the local council via inburgering@apeldoorn.nl. Information on integration in other languages can be found at www.inburgeren.nl.