As of 15 March 2006, the civic integration examination abroad has been introduced. Persons wishing to settle in the Netherlands for, in particular, the purposes of marrying or forming a relationship will be required to take the examination. Many people aged between 16 and 65 who need an authorization for temporary residence (MVV) in order to come to the Netherlands will first be obliged to complete the civic integration examination abroad in their country of residence. This applies, amongst others, to people who wish to form a family with someone in the Netherlands (for example, through marriage or by forming a relationship) and to religious leaders coming to the Netherlands for employment. In many cases, passing the integration examination becomes an additional requirement, before an MVV can be issued.

For more information:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
 

This examination tests a person's basic knowledge of the Dutch language and Dutch society. The examination is taken orally in Dutch at NTIO. The cost for taking the examination is EUR 350. The examination consists of two parts. Part 1 tests the person's knowledge of Dutch society. Whilst looking at an illustrated booklet, the person being tested is asked a number of questions by telephone. The questions are about such topics as the history of the Netherlands and its form of government. Part 2 tests the person's knowledge of the Dutch language. This part includes the repetition of sentences and the answering of brief questions.

Changes to examination requirements from 1 April 2011

The Basic Civic Integration Examination Abroad is to be modified with effect from 1 April 2011. The examination will be expanded to include Part 3 - the Toets Geletterdheid en Begrijpend Lezen (Literacy and Understanding Written Texts test; GBL). The examination regulations have been amended accordingly. 

Please note: pass score for civic integration examination abroad raised
The pass score for the civic integration examination abroad will be raised as of 1 April 2011. The pass score for the Spoken Dutch test will be raised from A1 minus (16) to A1 (26).

The Knowledge of Dutch Society test will remain unchanged.

Everyone aged between 16 and 65 who wishes to reside in the Netherlands for a prolonged period, and needs to apply for an authorization for temporary residence, has to take the civil integration test. The following groups are exempted from taking the test:

• persons of American, Australian, Austrian, Belgian, British, Canadian, Cypriot, Czech, Danish, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Icelandic, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Latvian, Liechtenstein, Lithuanian, Luxemburg, Maltese, Monegasque, New Zealand, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Slovakian, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish, Swiss, or Vatican nationality;
   
• persons of Surinamese nationality who have completed a minimum of primary education in the Dutch language in Surinam or the Netherlands, and can show this by means of written proof (certificate, testimonial) issued and authorized by the Surinamese Ministry of Education and Public Development. Detailed information can be found on IND, the organization for entry into the Netherlands. 
  
• persons who are coming to the Netherlands for a temporary reason, such as study, au pair work, an exchange, or medical treatment;
  
• persons coming to the Netherlands with a work permit and their family members, the self-employed, and knowledge migrants;
  
• family members of a person in possession of an asylum-seeker’s residence permit. 

As newcomers these people will, however, usually be required to follow the integration program once in the Netherlands.
 

In order to prepare for the examination, the candidate will need to familiarize him or herself with Dutch society and the Dutch language. It is up to the foreign national to decide how he or she will prepare for the examination. This is why the government has not issued any regulations, or organized courses. An education pack has, however, been put together. The pack, costing around €110, can be purchased either from Dutch bookshops or several websites of bookstores. The sponsor in the Netherlands can also buy the pack and send it to the candidate.
The pack consists of: a film about the Netherlands on DVD or video; a booklet with images from the film; a CD with all the questions which may come up during the ‘Knowledge of Dutch society’ part of the examination; and three mock Dutch language tests to practice with at home. A handbook explaining how to use the pack is also included. The foreign national can use this education pack to prepare for the civic integration examination abroad. In addition, there is plenty of teaching material available in the Netherlands, some of which can be used independently. This teaching material can be sent to the foreign national by his or her sponsor in the Netherlands.

On 1 April 2011, Changes of the Civic Ingegration Examination Abroad.

More information about the education pack can be found at www.naarnederland.nl.

Download the form called Application form Civic Integration Examination Abroad 

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