Return Decision and entry ban

The Netherlands welcomes migrants who can make a contribution to society and it offers protection to persons who have had to flee their country of origin. Every request for admission is therefore carefully assessed by the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). Those who are not admitted to the Netherlands, or who have no longer legal residence in the Netherlands, stay here illegally and are therefore obligated to leave the Netherlands.

Return Decision

Foreign nationals who no longer have the right of residence or those who are found to reside here illegally receive a so-called Return Decision. This is a decision which states that the foreign national has to leave the country within a certain term (usually 28 days). Foreign nationals have to arrange their departure within this term, with or without the aid of the DT&V, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) or other non-governmental organizations.

Entry ban

An entry ban will be imposed on foreign nationals who do not leave within the term indicated in the Repatriation Decision. Those who remain in the Netherlands, despite the entry ban, are guilty of an offence. Moreover, as a result of the entry ban such foreign nationals will not be allowed to enter the entire Schengen area for a period of at most five years. This is an additional incentive for foreign nationals to depart voluntarily.