Local party thinks naturalisation application waiting time is too long

The local branch of the SP party thinks the waiting time for processing a Dutch nationalisation application is too long in Eindhoven.

According to the party, it takes five months for the Eindhoven Municipality to process requests for Dutch nationality. This process takes a maximum of four weeks in other Dutch cities. These include Amsterdam, Nijmegen, and Maastricht.

City Councils process the naturalisation requests. They then forward them to the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). The IND may take a year or two to come to a decision. “In a worst-case scenario, an Eindhoven resident may have to wait more than two and a half years before they can become a Dutch citizen,” said Murat Memis, SP Eindhoven’s party leader.

Memis thinks the long waiting times are caused by the cutbacks at the Inwonersplein (Residents Plaza). The Inwonersplein handles all kinds of applications. These include passports, driving licenses, and residence permits.

The party wonders whether the Council is aware of these waiting times. They also want to know what the plan is to reduce them.

Source: Studio040

Translator: Shufei

Editor: Melinda Walraven