How are family migrants integrated into Dutch society?

A fairly large number of so-called family migrants arrive in the Netherlands every year. They are sent to people who have Dutch citizenship or a permanent residence permit. The basis for obtaining a residence permit from such migrants is family reunification or the creation of a family in the Netherlands. At the same time, the integration of family migrants into Dutch society is characterized by its own characteristics.

Basic data on family migrants

Family migrants come to the Netherlands to be reunited with their partner, a person with Dutch citizenship or a residence permit in the Netherlands. This person is usually the so-called sponsor. When applying for a residence permit and in the future, the sponsor is responsible for ensuring that the family migrant meets the conditions for obtaining a residence permit.

Divosa, an association of employees of municipalities, has published on its website a fact sheet with data on different categories of migrants. Family migrants are given special attention. According to the bulletin, about 68% of family migrants who are subject to the integration requirement are women aged 26 to 44. Often they live in large cities in the west of the country. Among them, the percentage of employees is higher than among status holders: 49% versus 33%, respectively.

Among reunited families, 10% receive social assistance, despite the fact that the partner of a family migrant must have sufficient income of his own when applying for a residence permit. Social assistance is received by 56% of the group of "status" (status holders).

Municipalities in the process of integrating family migrants

Family migrants from outside the European Union are obliged to integrate, and municipalities are responsible for integration from this year, because the peculiarities of this category require a separate approach. In general, family migrants find work relatively easily, but their integration lags somewhat behind that of status holders.

In order to optimize the work of municipalities on the integration of migrants, a benchmark was created in which 182 municipalities participate (53% of the municipalities in which 61% of the population of the Netherlands live) - Benchmark Civic Integration & Status Holders. The goal is to obtain information and develop tools to improve the efficiency of municipal government.

Трудности

On the one hand, family migrants often come from more developed countries than other categories. Moreover, they have already passed the integration test before coming to the Netherlands, so their starting position is better. Such migrants can afford to focus on finding a job rather than learning the language.

But, on the other hand, some family migrants are completely dependent. According to Divosa, some municipalities are experimenting with special consultants to help them. The association has previously prepared guidelines for municipalities and will soon organize a meeting to share experiences.

What about status holders?

Despite being more disadvantaged compared to family migrants, the employment rate of people who received refugee status and residence permits rose in the last quarters of 2021 to the highest level in four years. Status holders have benefited from high demand for staff in 2021.

However, Divosa also notes stagnation in the process of integrating status holders. There are more and more exemptions from the obligation to pass integration exams: among people who came to the Netherlands in 2014-2015. , two-thirds received an integration diploma, but in subsequent years this indicator cannot be achieved. A large group cannot fulfill the obligation to integrate, for example, due to physical or psychological/mental problems.

Like us wrote, as of January 1, 2022, the new Integration Act is in force: it contains higher requirements for proficiency in the Dutch language, but provides for an individual integration plan (persoonlijk Plan Inburgering en Participatie). Representatives of municipalities are confident that more migrants will comply with integration obligations in the future.