Naturalisation in the NL

[iwolga]

Dear experts,

As part of my long-term planning for 2022

I'm non-EU married to Dutch citizen. We live together in UK at the moment. From reading IND website and talking to some newly naturalised Dutchies, I understand that main requirements for the naturalisation in the NL are:

1) 3 years living together as married couple as we live outside of the NL
2) Integration exam
3) living together during application process
4) no criminal records etc

What I don't understand is one of the items in the documents checklist: A valid residence permit or other proof of lawful residence. Am I right in thinking that I don't need to have this one if I apply through exclusion (by being married to Dutch citizen)? Or at the moment of application I need to live in the NL?

[ibwe]

What I don't understand is one of the items in the documents checklist: A valid residence permit or other proof of lawful residence. Am I right in thinking that I don't need to have this one if I apply through exclusion (by being married to Dutch citizen)? Or at the moment of application I need to live in the NL?

I think the Dutch Immigration and Naturalization website makes it clear, "Immediately prior to the naturalisation application, you have a valid residence permit. This is a permanent residence permit or a temporary residence permit with a non-temporary purpose of stay. The residence permit is still valid at the time of the naturalisation ceremony."
Since you live abroad, the next time you are in Netherlands, apply for a temporary permit with a non-temporary purpose. You qualify because you are married to a Dutch national. Once that is done - you are good to proceed.

[iwolga]

What I don't understand is one of the items in the documents checklist: A valid residence permit or other proof of lawful residence. Am I right in thinking that I don't need to have this one if I apply through exclusion (by being married to Dutch citizen)? Or at the moment of application I need to live in the NL?

I think the Dutch Immigration and Naturalization website makes it clear, "Immediately prior to the naturalisation application, you have a valid residence permit. This is a permanent residence permit or a temporary residence permit with a non-temporary purpose of stay. The residence permit is still valid at the time of the naturalisation ceremony."
Since you live abroad, the next time you are in Netherlands, apply for a temporary permit with a non-temporary purpose. You qualify because you are married to a Dutch national. Once that is done - you are good to proceed.

Hi, thanks for your reply and pointing this out to me. I don't quite see how I qualify for this temporary residence permit with a non-temporary purpose of stay. The only option that is valid for me that I see on IND is:

Stay with a family member, if the family member you are staying with is a Dutch, EU/EEA or Swiss citizen. Or, if this family member has a residence permit for a non-temporary purpose of stay.

But a) we don't live in the NL (maximum we visit family\friends for 5-10 days per year b) I'm not quite sure what "stay" in this case means? This somehow sounds that I'm applying for EEA Residency Card and I already (pre-Brexit at least) have for UK. Can I have two?

I do apologize if I ask naive questions, but I just want to understand what exactly we shall do. If moving to the NL at the end of year 3 of our marriage is the only option to get Dutch passport, we will be planning accordingly.

[the hurricane]

Hi Iwolga,

As a solicitor specialized in the Dutch law, I'd say that your question is legit. First, if you are married to a Dutch national you can apply for the naturalization outside the Netherlands provided you meet naturalisatie requirements ( see below a few example), in other words you do not need to live in the Netherlands at the time when you lodge your application.

1. You are >= 18
2. Be married or registered partnership with a Dutch national for least 3 years
3. No criminal records etc
4. Birth Certificate + marriage certificate / registered partnership certificate

[ibwe]

Hi Iwolga,

As a solicitor specialized in the Dutch law, I'd say that your question is legit. First, if you are married to a Dutch national you can apply for the naturalization outside the Netherlands provided you meet naturalisatie requirements ( see below a few example), in other words you do not need to live in the Netherlands at the time when you lodge your application.

1. You are >= 18
2. Be married or registered partnership with a Dutch national for least 3 years
3. No criminal records etc
4. Birth Certificate + marriage certificate / registered partnership certificate

I believe you are right. After further digging, I found out that you may lodge your application for citizenship in Dutch Consulate where you are residing (UK). Just remember that you will have to pass the Civic Integration Exam. I also suggest that you can call the consulate and ask them in details. Based on experience from the people that I know - the consulate is always willing to help.

[iwolga]

Hi Iwolga,

As a solicitor specialized in the Dutch law, I'd say that your question is legit. First, if you are married to a Dutch national you can apply for the naturalization outside the Netherlands provided you meet naturalisatie requirements ( see below a few example), in other words you do not need to live in the Netherlands at the time when you lodge your application.

1. You are >= 18
2. Be married or registered partnership with a Dutch national for least 3 years
3. No criminal records etc
4. Birth Certificate + marriage certificate / registered partnership certificate

Thank you, Hurricane, for your answer! I'm going to be planning accordingly!

I believe you are right. After further digging, I found out that you may lodge your application for citizenship in Dutch Consulate where you are residing (UK). Just remember that you will have to pass the Civic Integration Exam. I also suggest that you can call the consulate and ask them in details. Based on experience from the people that I know - the consulate is always willing to help.

Thank you, ibwe. I did call the embassy and they confirmed that they are happy for me to apply without valid residency in the NL provided I have residency card in the UK.

I do remember re exam and excelled my Dutch to the level of B1 (still nowhere near my English though but have some time ahead of the application). It is, of course, a funny situation to be passing an integration exam when you actually live outside of the NL.

[ibwe]

Great. I wish you all the best. Do give us an update when you complete the process successfully. Your experience might be useful for others as well.

[iwolga]

Hi everyone,

Returning to the forum to update on my Dutch Naturalisation process from the UK.

I started the process a year ago by registering to Inburgering exams via the embassy in London. I did tests in 2 parts and by the end of summer I had the results.

On top of that I needed my birth certificate, marriage certificate, proof of co-habitation with my husband for the last 3 years, police certificates for the last 5 years.

I applied with the full package of documents at the very end of October 22, received an invite for ceremony in early March 23 and I now already applied for and received a passport.

Very smooth and straightforward process once you pass exams and get your papers together.