Integration law for immigrants to the Netherlands

The Law on integration (Dutch: Wet inburgering) obliges most immigrants who are not citizens of the EU, Switzerland, Turkey, or the European Economic Area countries to learn Dutch and pass an exam within a few years of their arrival in the Netherlands. Since first appearing in draft form as part of a proposal in the House of Representatives, the exam has proven to be highly controversial. It continues to be both a subject of controversy, and even ridicule, in the Netherlands.

According to a separate law, known in Dutch as the Wet inburgering in het buitenland, certain classes of prospective immigrants must also pass a test involving basic knowledge of Dutch and Dutch society even before they first enter the Netherlands.

Introduction
Specific programs devoted to integration did exist before 2007. Between 1998 and 2007, new immigrants were obligated to follow an integration course that contained implemented standards on a national level. The courses were financed by the government and organized by local municipalities. There was, however, no compulsory test. Immigrants were fined only if they did not take the course without a valid reason.

The Law on Integration, drafted by Rita Verdonk, was passed by the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) on July 7, 2006, only one member of the House of Representatives, Fatma Koşer Kaya (D66), voted against it. It then passed the Senate (Eerste Kamer) on November 28, 2006 where four smaller political parties opposed it, totaling 13 out of 75 Senators. The law took effect on January 1, 2007. It provided legal framework for current programme, which is known as inburgering.

Inburgering is a requirement for residents who have relocated to the Netherlands from countries outside of the European Union, in addition to others in certain circumstances. After a period of three-and-a-half years (five years for some), they must pass an exam that evaluates various aspects of their integration. The current exam consists of six parts. Four measure Dutch language skills and include components that test an immigrants' speaking, listening, writing and reading abilities. The fifth tests their knowledge of Dutch society. The sixth portion, introduced in 2015, assesses their understanding of the Dutch labor market.

The obligation to take the test currently applies not only to new immigrants, but also to some who have lived in the Netherlands for five years or longer.

Prior to traveling to the Netherlands
A similar obligation exists for some foreigners wishing to relocate to the Netherlands, especially people wanting to marry a resident or a citizen. These rules can be found in another law titled the Wet inburgering in het buitenland (“Integration law for Immigrants to the Netherlands Abroad”). The exam is requirement to receive a temporary long stay residence permit (Dutch: MVV) and is usually taken at a Dutch embassy.

Failure to meet the obligations
Since the obligation was introduced for people entering after January 1, 2007, the law had no consequences for people failing to fulfill their obligations until July 1, 2010.

Local city councils are responsible for making sure that those obliged to take the exam do so. Failure to pass the test within the allotted time can result in financial penalties. The specifics depend on the resident's place of residence and can total anywhere from several hundred to more than 1,000 euros. However, residents can request additional time to prepare for the exam if their reasons for not adhering to their obligation is deemed sufficient. Contrary to popular belief, a resident cannot be denied residency because they have not passed the exam.

Exceptions
The law does not apply to:
 * Dutch nationals who reside abroad (see below for earlier drafts of the law)
 * citizens of fellow EU countries, EEA countries, Switzerland and their legal spouses who are non EU nationals.
 * minors (under the age of 18)
 * retirees as per to retirement age in Netherlands (over the age of 66)
 * residents who have certified diplomas, certificates etc. from certified Dutch-language institutions, for example Surinamese people;
 * temporary foreign workers of Dutch employers or companies which are based in or operate within Netherlands
 * temporary foreign and exchanges students and other academic researchers

In 2010, a Dutch judge ruled that the law ought not to be extended to Turkish citizens, because of an association treaty between the European Union and Turkey.

Implementation and cost
Dutch municipalities are responsible for the implementation of the law.

As of June 2011, the courses, which can cost several thousand euros, may be subsidized by the government in certain circumstances. However, beginning in 2013, these resources became increasingly limited.

Controversy
The test's Kennis van de Nederlandse Samenleving (“Knowledge of Dutch Society”) section, which tests an immigrant's knowledge of Dutch society, has been widely criticized for the questions the critics supposed to be bizarre, patronizing and even inane.