What does the DT&V do?
The Repatriation and Departure Service (DT&V) is a professional repatriation organisation responsible for implementing the Netherlands’ repatriation policy.
The DT&V coordinates the departure of foreign nationals who are not entitled to stay in the Netherlands. Together with other government agencies and social services, the goal is to ensure that foreign nationals return to their countries as independent individuals with positive prospects. DT&V employees act with care and respect for the dignity of each foreign national.
The guiding principle is that foreign nationals are always given the opportunity to leave voluntarily, with or without our assistance.
On what groups does DT&V focus?
- Foreign nationals who have been detained as part of the national (mobile) supervision of foreign nationals.
- Foreign nationals who have been denied entry to the country as part of the border control process.
- Foreign nationals whose residence or asylum permit has been revoked.
- Foreign nationals who have exhausted the appeal process and have not been granted asylum.
The Repatriation and Departure Service is part of the government and responsible for the...
...assisted voluntary return of foreign nationals who have not received permission to stay...
...in the Netherlands.
My name is Kim, I work for the Repatriation and Departure Service...
...and I help people to return to their country of origin.
- Hey, here is the file you were asking for.
Oh great, thanks.
If it has been decided that the foreign national must leave the country, he or she will come to us.
As the Supervisor Departure, I receive a file with the available information.
For instance: who is this person? Where is he or she coming from? Is there any medical background?
Really all the information you need to get as clear a picture as possible of the foreign national.
This is essential to have the departure take place carefully in a dignified and timely way.
The RDS aims for a transparent and humane service, where respect for the foreign national...
...is of the outmost importance.
After reviewing the file conduct the first departure interview.
This first interview is followed by others, as a lot has to be organised.
- Do you still have relatives in your country of origin?”
No, nobody anymore. Nobody.
We may be able to help you to build up a new life in your country of origin.
That really can't work. I cannot go back.
In addition to interviews with the foreign national, the RDS is also a conversation partner...
...for the authorities in the country of origin.
We also contact the cooperating organisations|to discuss the options for repatriation...
... and support of the foreign national.
All partners have an essential role in this and together we are working towards actual departure.
The foreign national is responsible for his departure from the Netherlands.
If a foreign national does not work on his repatriation, he may be placed in detention...
...pending deportation in order for us to organise a forced departure.
If the foreign national is actively working on his repatriation, we can do a lot to help him.
We can help to take the first steps towards rebuilding his life in the homeland.
For instance, I have assisted someone who very much wanted to start a telephone shop in his homeland.
We were able to give him mobile phones and a start-up amount.
Repatriation can be very emotional.
While being understanding toward the foreign national, the Departure Supervisor must remain objective...
...to do the job as well as possible.
These people come to the Netherlands with hope.
And of course nobody is coming to the Netherlands in order to have to leave again.
But if they have to go back, they really have to go back.
And sometimes that causes a difficult area of tension in my work.
My greatest challenge is to convince the foreign national, that despite the initial disappointment...
...there is a future, but not in The Netherlands.
And subsequently to help him build up a sustainable future.
And when that happens, I am really happy.