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The integration term (inburgeringstermijn)

You have 3 years to integrate. This is called the inburgeringstermijn (integration term). Here you read when this time starts, when you can get extra time and what happens if you are late.

When does your term start?

Under the Wet inburgering 2021 the municipality (gemeente) makes a PIP (persoonlijk plan inburgering en participatie, your personal plan) together with you. Is your PIP ready? Then you get a letter from DUO. It says from which date you have to integrate.

Under the Wet inburgering 2013 the letter from DUO says from which date you have to integrate.

In Mijn Inburgering you can always see from when you have to integrate, and what you have to do.

The PVT and the MAP

Under the Wet inburgering 2021 you have 3 years to sign the participation statement (participatieverklaring, PVT). Under the Wet inburgering 2013 you have 1 year for this. That year starts when you are registered at the municipality.

Do you have to do the MAP (Module Arbeidsmarkt en Participatie)? Then you have to finish it before the end of your inburgeringstermijn.

Extra time (verlenging)

Can you not finish in time? Sometimes you can get extra time. This is called verlenging (extension). Under the Wet inburgering 2021 this is possible, for example, if:

  • you first had to learn to read and write in a literacy course
  • you are ill, or you have to care for an ill family member
  • you had a child, or a family member died
  • you follow an education in the Netherlands
  • you are homeless or live in a women's shelter (blijf-van-mijn-lijfhuis)
  • you had to wait because the municipality did not arrange a school in time, or because the school had problems
  • you already followed many hours of course and passed at least 2 of the 4 exam parts
  • there is another special reason. This is called verlenging BIO (bijzondere individuele omstandigheden, special personal circumstances).

Under the Wet inburgering 2013 there are also reasons for extra time. You find them on inburgeren.nl.

How do you ask for extra time?

Usually you ask DUO for extra time yourself. In a few cases you get the extra time automatically. DUO decides.

For many reasons your term must have started at least 2.5 years ago. You send proof, for example papers from the doctor.

You can get extra time only once for the same period. For another period it is possible again.

What happens if you are late?

Are you not finished in time and do you have no right to extra time? Then DUO can give you a fine (boete). Also after a fine you still have to integrate. You get extra time for that.

Under the Wet inburgering 2021 you get a letter from DUO 2 months before the end of your term. It shows the information DUO has about you, such as your course hours. Is something missing? Then send it at once.

Are you an asylum status holder (asielstatushouder)? Then DUO does not give you a fine if you are late. DUO also does not ask for money of a loan back. The Raad van State (the court) decided this. But do continue with your civic integration.

How high a fine is and how much extra time you get after it, you read on inburgeren.nl.

Practise on DutchKlaar

Fill in your exam date on DutchKlaar. Then you see on the start page how many days you have left. Practise a little every day, with the lessons and the practice exams.

Your exam date and plan

Official practice exams

On inburgeren.nl you read all reasons for extra time, with the conditions and the forms. It also says what happens if you are late.

DutchKlaar is a practice website. We are not DUO and not an official organisation. Rules can change. For your own situation, look in Mijn Inburgering on inburgeren.nl, or ask your municipality (gemeente).

Sources

This text is based on these official pages (in Dutch):