A letter from the IND: which letter means what?
Published: July 20, 2026 · 2 min read · The Letrin team
Dutch words in this post
Hover over an underlined word in the text (tap it on a phone) and see what it means straight away.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ontvangstbevestiging | confirmation of receipt · The letter showing your application reached the IND |
| zaaknummer | case number |
| V-nummer | foreign national number · The personal number the IND gives you |
| voornemen | intention to refuse · The IND is considering a refusal and wants your answer first |
| zienswijze | written response · Your written reply to the voornemen |
| beschikking | official decision |
| inwilliging | approval |
| afwijzing | refusal |
| bezwaar | objection · For IND decisions this is usually within 4 weeks |
| beroep | appeal to the court |
| toevoeging | state-funded lawyer · Depending on your income the state pays the lawyer's fee |
No letter in the Netherlands matters as much as one from the IND: whether you can stay, whether you can work, whether you can bring your family, all of it arrives in these envelopes. And they are written in the heaviest official Dutch there is.
No panic: once you recognise the type of letter, what to do becomes clear too.
The letters that can reach you
Confirmation of receipt: ontvangstbevestigingconfirmation of receipt · The letter showing your application reached the IND
Means "your application reached us". There is nothing for you to do, but keep the letter; your case number (zaaknummercase number or V-nummerforeign national number · The personal number the IND gives you) and usually the decision period are stated in it.
Request for documents
The IND needs additional documents and has given you a deadline, most often 2 or 4 weeks. This is the most underestimated letter of all: miss the deadline and the IND can decide on an incomplete file, which usually means a refusal. If you cannot find a document in time, write before the deadline and ask for an extension; asking costs nothing.
Intention to refuse: voornemenintention to refuse · The IND is considering a refusal and wants your answer first
A warning shot: the IND is considering refusing your application and explains why. You are given time to respond, usually 2 or 4 weeks. This moment, when you submit your zienswijzewritten response · Your written reply to the voornemen, is your best chance to change the outcome. Good legal support helps most here.
Decision: beschikkingofficial decision
The official decision: approval (inwilligingapproval) or refusal (afwijzingrefusal). A refusal letter also states what you can do: for most applications bezwaarobjection · For IND decisions this is usually within 4 weeks within 4 weeks, and in asylum cases beroepappeal to the court to the court. Which one applies and how long you have is stated in the letter. These deadlines are strict; miss one and the decision usually becomes final.
Three habits that protect you
- Find the date and count. Deadlines run from the date on the letter. On the day the letter arrives, write the deadline in your calendar.
- Do not send originals unless the letter explicitly asks for them. Send certified copies and keep proof that you sent them.
- Keep every letter. IND files build up over years; a confirmation of receipt from three years ago can help you today.
Free and affordable support
In asylum procedures legal aid is provided automatically. For family, work and study applications you may be entitled to a state-funded lawyer (toevoegingstate-funded lawyer · Depending on your income the state pays the lawyer's fee) depending on your income. Juridisch Loket gives a free first consultation; VluchtelingenWerk supports refugees and their families.
What does Letrin do here?
Take a photo of the IND letter and see in English what type of letter it is, what the IND wants from you, the deadline and your options. A reminder is set before the deadline; your personal details are covered before anything goes out.
One warning is essential here: on anything that touches your residence permit, use the explanation to understand, then continue with a lawyer or a licensed adviser. These procedures forgive nothing when it comes to dates and details.