Immigration in the Netherlands – At Home and Abroad

Immigration in the Netherlands – At Home and Abroad

The Netherlands is a small country with a population of 17.2 million and a land area of just over 41,000 square kilometers. While it is a mostly overlooked country when it comes to population size, its diversity and welcoming multicultural nature make it an attractive destination for immigrants looking for a better life.

This article will take a closer look at immigration in the Netherlands; we will explore some of the reasons why the Netherlands is an attractive destination for immigrants, take a look at the varying policies governing immigration, and outline some of the major challenges and achievements related to flux of immigrants into the country.sunset at the city
Irina Iriser @ Unsplash

Why Immigrants Come to the Netherlands

The Netherlands has been a desirable destination for immigrants since roughly the 1970s, as the country opened its gates to foreign workers, with a policy that allowed for the absorption of people who could fill particular labor shortages. The Netherlands is well-known for offering migrants many of the benefits, services and opportunities that are available to native nationals; the country values the integration of immigrants who settle in the nation and has a goal of creating an inclusive society that embraces all cultures and nationalities.

The economic opportunities available to immigrants are also an attractive feature drawing people to the Netherlands. The country is a leader in global industries like agribusiness, progress manufacturing, shipping and transportation, and, more recently, the medical and medical technology fields. This country's location in the heart of Europe means that professionals from immigrants, who qualify, can enjoy the same degree of professional mobility as nationals. The Netherlands is renowned for its quality of life; compared to other European countries, it has a low rate of criminality and excellent infrastructure.

Immigration Policies

The Act on Immigration and Asylum from 2000 established the legal framework for admitting and managing international immigrants in the Netherlands. This Act outlines two broad categories of immigrants – those who enter the Netherlands for employment purposes and those who enter for other reasons, typically study or family reunification. For immigrants within these two categories, the term "resident permit" applies, which was introduced in the same 2000 Act.

The various residence permits and their visas must be applied for in advance at an embassy, consulate or other government office outside of the country. After submitting the appropriate application and paperwork, the prospective immigrant must go through the proper screening process; those accepted are approved for residency and obtain their residence permit. View by the canal passing through Utrecht, Netherlands.
Jonne Mäkikyrö @ Unsplash

In 2013, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) assumed responsibility for overseeing all aspects of immigration policy and management. This government agency manages the permits and identity documents of legal immigrants and grants these immigrants the same rights and responsibilities that apply to native Dutch citizens.

Challenges and Achievements with Immigration

Immigration into the Netherlands has not been without its unique challenges; cultural differences, language barriers, unfamiliarity with the laws, and employability issues are among the more prominent ones. Accusations of the abuse of the permit system, where immigrants entered the Netherlands for the purpose of procuring extra benefits, have been levied, although to a lesser degree in the last decade or so.

However, these challenges have not outweighed the merits and successes with immigration in the Netherlands. Firstly, the continued influx of immigrants in the Netherlands has contributed to the economic development of the country, with both skilled and unskilled labor making invaluable contributions to the fields of manufacturing and technology, especially in urban areas. Immigrants have also played an important role in some industries where native Dutch employees are hard to find, particularly in the agricultural sector.

Immigrants have also made the Netherlands an even more culturally diverse nation; new cuisines, customs, traditions, and language components have contributed to the national identity. Finally, the Netherlands has maintained a strong commitment to assist with refugees who are unable to return to their home countries; the country has been working to increase the maximum duration of temporary residency permits for refugees and to secure permanent housing for them.

In Closing

The Netherlands has a relatively generous and liberal immigration policy which has made it an attractive destination for immigrants from all walks of life; the country benefits from having a diverse and multicultural population. Although the influx of immigrants presents some unique challenges, the achievements in the form of experienced labor, cultural enrichment, and refugee relocation far outweigh any inconveniences.

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