IND rejection appeal: how to object when the IND refuses your visa or residence permit (2026)
A refusal from the IND starts a short clock. This guide sets out every deadline, how to object, whether you may stay in the Netherlands meanwhile, the court appeal and what it costs.
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Rules from the IND, the Aliens Act and Rechtspraak.nl · Checked 26 October 2026
Short answer
An IND rejection appeal starts with an objection (bezwaar) to the IND itself, usually within 4 weeks; the decision letter gives the exact last date. The letter also says whether you may wait for the outcome in the Netherlands; if not, you have 24 hours to ask a court for a provisional ruling. If the IND rejects your objection too, you can appeal to the court within 4 weeks, which costs an individual €200 in court fees in 2026. A late objection is not considered, so start straight away.
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Key facts for 2026
- 4 weeks is the deadline to object to an IND decision, and again to appeal to the court.
- 24 hours is the time to ask the court for a provisional ruling if you may not wait in the Netherlands.
- 2 weeks is the time to send missing documents once the IND says your objection is incomplete.
- 6 to 19 weeks is how long the IND takes to decide on an objection in a regular permit case.
- €200 is the 2026 court fee for an individual’s appeal, refunded if you win.
- 3 to 6 months or more is how long a court appeal about a residence permit usually takes.
- 6 weeks after the investigation closes is when the court aims to rule.
This is general information about Dutch law, not legal advice for your situation. Rules change; figures are for 2026. No rights can be derived from this text.
Deadlines
IND rejection appeal deadlines at a glance
In immigration cases the law shortens the usual deadline: an objection or appeal must be made within 4 weeks (Aliens Act 2000, article 69). If your four-week objection deadline is close, an immigration lawyer in the Netherlands can send the objection on time and add the grounds within the period the IND then sets.
| Step | Deadline | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Object to the IND decision | 4 weeks; the decision states the last date | The IND, at the postal address in the decision |
| Object to a detail of a permit that was granted | 4 weeks after you collect the residence document | The IND general postal address |
| Complete an incomplete objection | 2 weeks after the IND letter | The IND |
| Provisional ruling if you may not wait here | 24 hours after the decision | The court |
| Appeal after the objection is rejected | 4 weeks after the decision on objection | Central Registration Office for Aliens Affairs (CIV), Haarlem |
| Further appeal against the court ruling | 4 weeks after the ruling | Council of State |
Sources: IND and Rechtspraak.nl. A Schengen visa refusal has its own route: see our Schengen visa guide.
Count carefully. Rechtspraak.nl gives the example of a decision on objection dated 12 July: a form sent to the court on 12 August is 3 days late, and the court will not consider the case.
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Objection
How to object to an IND decision
You object (bezwaar maken) with a letter to the IND saying which decision you disagree with and why, sent before the date in the decision (IND). The objection is a full review by the IND itself, and only after it can you go to court.
- Which decisions: an MVV, a temporary or permanent residence permit, long-term EU residence, recognition as a sponsor, Dutch nationality, and a short-stay visa, among others.
- Send the letter with a copy of the decision to the postal address in it, or by secure email with your case number in the subject. You can add documents that support your objection.
- Uploads: each document up to 10 MB and no more than 20 MB per email; with DigiD you can also upload documents online.
- Next, the IND confirms the date it received your objection and the decision period. If something is missing, you have 2 weeks to send it.
- The outcome: well-founded means you get the visa, permit or nationality; unfounded means the objection is rejected and you can go to court.
The IND then has 6 to 19 weeks in a regular permit case, extendable by 6 weeks; the period starts after the last date for objecting (IND decision periods).
Staying
Can you stay in the Netherlands while you wait?
The decision itself says whether you may wait for the objection in the Netherlands.
- If you may: get a residence endorsement sticker in your passport at an IND desk as proof. It is free, and the IND decides during the appointment (IND).
- If you may not: you have to leave, unless you ask the court for a provisional ruling within 24 hours of receiving the decision.
- During a court appeal the same test applies: the IND decision says whether you may wait here, and otherwise you need the court’s permission.
- Removal can happen even while a court case runs if you are not lawfully in the Netherlands; a provisional ruling is the way to prevent that (Rechtspraak.nl).
Refused, delayed or facing an IND deadline?
Tell Finn what the IND sent you and the dates on it. We check whether a lawyer is worth it, prepare your case and introduce you to an independent immigration lawyer who works in English. Most clients are introduced to a lawyer within one business day.
Court
Appealing to the court
If the IND rejects your objection, you start an appeal by sending the court’s form to the Central Registration Office for Aliens Affairs (CIV) in Haarlem within 4 weeks.
- Your grounds: send your explanation to the court in time, or the case will not be dealt with.
- The IND is the other party and sends a statement of defence with the case file.
- The hearing is in principle public, and the court rules within 6 weeks of closing the investigation.
- A win usually means the IND must decide again, and that new decision can still be negative.
- Duration: at least 3 months and often more than 6; a further appeal goes to the Council of State within 4 weeks of the ruling.
Costs
What an objection and appeal cost
The main fixed cost is the court fee: €200 for an individual in 2026, charged for an appeal or a request for a provisional ruling (Rechtspraak.nl).
- If you win, the IND refunds the court fee and may have to pay part of your legal costs at fixed rates.
- Cannot pay? Ask the court for an exemption if you have no savings or assets to pay it from.
- Legal help: the IND points to legal assistance providers through the Juridisch Loket, and our guide to subsidised legal aid explains who qualifies.
Help
When a lawyer helps
You do not need a lawyer to object or appeal, but the deadlines are short and a missed step ends the case.
- A lawyer can object for you as an authorised person, and also file the court form and the grounds.
- The 24-hour provisional ruling leaves little time to prepare on your own.
- A late decision on your objection can be escalated with a notice of default (IND); our guide to the notice of default explains each step.
Refused a partner permit? See our partner visa guide. Refused as a highly skilled migrant? Start with our highly skilled migrant visa guide.
IND refusal letter? Talk to a lawyer now
Need help with this? We match you with an English-speaking Dutch immigration lawyer. Most clients are introduced to a lawyer within one business day. Lawyer fees are paid to the firm and explained before you proceed.
Keep reading
Related guides
More guides for people dealing with the IND.
IND processing times
Decision periods for every permit and what to do when the IND is late.
FamilyPartner visa
Income, the exam abroad and what happens if the relationship ends.
WorkHighly skilled migrant visa
The 2026 salary criteria and the rules sponsors must follow.
PermitsPermanent residence
Refused permanent residence: the requirements to check first.
VisitsSchengen visa
A refused short-stay visa has its own objection route.
VisasAll Netherlands visas
Every route to living here, with the 2026 fees.
Refused, delayed or facing an IND deadline?
Tell Finn what the IND sent you and the dates on it. We check whether a lawyer is worth it, prepare your case and introduce you to an independent immigration lawyer who works in English. Most clients are introduced to a lawyer within one business day.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What can I do after an IND rejection?
You can object to the decision with the IND. Write a letter saying which decision you object to and why, add a copy of the decision and send it before the date in the letter. If the IND rejects the objection, you can appeal to the court, and after that to the Council of State. Check straight away whether the letter lets you stay meanwhile.
What is the deadline for objecting to an IND decision?
Four weeks under the Aliens Act, and the decision states the last date. For a residence permit that was granted but with a detail you disagree with, such as the start date, the 4 weeks run from the day you collect the residence document. A court appeal after a rejected objection also has to be made within 4 weeks.
Can I stay in the Netherlands while my objection is decided?
Only if the decision says so. Then you can get a free residence endorsement sticker at an IND desk as proof. If the decision says you may not wait here, you must leave unless you ask the court for a provisional ruling within 24 hours of receiving the decision. The same applies during a court appeal.
How long does the IND take to decide on an objection?
In a regular residence permit case, 6 to 19 weeks depending on the type of application, and the IND can extend that by 6 weeks. For naturalisation it is 6 weeks plus a possible 6, and for a short-stay visa 6 weeks plus 6. The period starts the day after the last date for objecting, even if you object earlier.
How much does an appeal against the IND cost?
An individual pays a court fee of €200 in 2026 for an appeal or a request for a provisional ruling. If the court rules in your favour, the IND refunds the fee and may have to pay part of your legal costs at fixed rates. If you have no income or savings to pay it, you can ask the court for an exemption.
Who can file an objection on my behalf?
Your legal representative, such as a parent or guardian; anyone you authorise in a signed letter enclosed with the objection; or, for a residence permit, your sponsor or recognised sponsor. A lawyer is not required for the objection or the court appeal, but you may use one, and legal assistance providers can help.
What happens if the court rules in my favour?
Usually the court orders the IND to take a new decision on your objection that follows the ruling. That new decision can still be a refusal, for example with better reasons, in which case you can start a new appeal. Both you and the IND can appeal a court ruling to the Council of State within 4 weeks.
What if the IND does not decide on my objection in time?
The rules for late decisions also cover objections. Once the decision period has passed, you can send the IND a notice of default on its official form, after which it has 2 weeks to decide. If it still does not, you can go to court, which sets a new deadline. According to the IND, for appeals lodged on or after 16 October 2026 the court can no longer order the IND to pay a penalty; appeals lodged before that date are not affected.
Refused, delayed or facing an IND deadline?
Tell Finn what the IND sent you and the dates on it. We check whether a lawyer is worth it, prepare your case and introduce you to an independent immigration lawyer who works in English. Most clients are introduced to a lawyer within one business day.
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Official sources, checked 14 September 2026
- Aliens Act 2000, article 69 (in Dutch), wetten.overheid.nl
- IND: object or appeal a decision
- Rechtspraak.nl: appeal procedure for a residence permit (in Dutch)
- IND: decision periods, including objections
- IND: residence endorsement sticker
- Rechtspraak.nl: court fees in administrative cases 2026 (in Dutch)
- IND: IND late with a decision
Final notes and legal disclaimer
- This article provides general information and is not tailored to your personal circumstances.
- It does not cover all situations, exceptions, or recent legal changes.
- Reading this article does not create a lawyer-client relationship with findlawyer.nl or any associated entity.
- No guarantee is given that this information is complete, accurate, or up to date.
- No rights can be derived from this article.
- For decisions about an objection or appeal against an IND decision, or your specific situation, always consult a qualified professional.
FindLawyer is a lawyer-matching and case-preparation service. Legal advice comes from the independent lawyer.