Back

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about Civic Integration Act and Integration and Participation Plan (PIP)

How do I know if I fall under the new Integration Act?

The new law (Wi2021) applies to anyone who became obliged to integration on or after Jan. 1, 2022. That is the main rule.

The obligation to integrate starts on the date the IND announces the right of residence. If that date is before January 1, 2022, you fall under the old law. If that date is on or after January 1, 2022, you fall under the new law.

There are exceptions to this rule. Please consult the law for this or inquire with your integration counselor.

What do I need to do to become a citizen?

You will receive a letter from DUO if you are obliged to integrate. Region Rivierenland will invite you for an interview on behalf of the municipality.

For the civic integration diploma, you have to learn the Dutch language. You also get information about Dutch society and Dutch norms and values (in the PvT). In addition, you will learn about the Dutch labor market.

Once you have completed the language courses, you can take an exam. If you have passed all parts, you will receive your integration diploma. Then you are done with civic integration.

The parts are:

Exam Speaking
Exam Listening
Exam Reading
Exam Writing
Knowledge of Dutch society
Participation Statement (PvT)
Labor Market and Participation Module.

Exception: Are you following the Z-route? Then you have no examination obligation but an effort obligation. You must attend a total of 800 hours of language classes. As an asylum migrant, you also participate 800 hours. If successful, you will also take exams, but it is not compulsory. There is a final interview at the end of the program. On behalf of the municipality, Regio Rivierenland checks whether the agreements in the PIP have been met. We report this to DUO.

What is the Integration and Participation Plan (PIP)?

The PIP contains the agreements we have made together on integration: which learning route will you follow and will you also work?

It also says how Regio Rivierenland will guide you and can help you with things like paying the rent, gas, water and electricity and health insurance. You must keep the agreements in the PIP. We will keep the document up to date and see if any changes are needed, for example if you change your integration route.

I disagree with the agreements in the PIP. How can I object?

The PIP is a decision of Regio Rivierenland. You can object to it. The decision tells you how to object.

Questions about integration routes and PvT

There are three routes to citizenship. How is it determined which route is most appropriate for me?

Together with you, the integration consultant will determine which route is best for you. This depends on age, situation, education, work experience and the results of the learning ability test, among other things.

Can I still change routes during the route?

You can switch routes if it turns out to be better. This can be done within a year and a half after you start civic integration.

How do I find a school to take a course?

In our region, the ROC Rivor offers integration routes.

What is the learning ability test?

The learning ability test answers the question: is the level of Dutch needed for the B1 route achievable within the three-year integration period?

What is the Participation Statement track?

The Participation Statement track (participatieverklaringstraject, PvT) is a mandatory part of civic integration.

In this course, you will receive information about Dutch society, Dutch core values and how people in the Netherlands treat each other. At the end of the course, you sign a statement. In it you say that you know and respect the values and rules of Dutch society.

What is the Labor Market and Participation Module (MAP)?

The Labor Market and Participation Module is a mandatory part of the civic integration.

In a number of hours you get information about the labor market in the Netherlands. For part of those hours, you will gain work experience. You will learn more about looking for work and finding work.

Finally you will be invited for a mandatory final interview with the integration counselor.

How do I find a (work) place to do the MAP?

You get help with that.

Do I have to work, too?

It depends on the situation. If you have welfare benefits, you must also work on your participation. This can be paid work or volunteer work. As part of integration, we would like you to look for work (paid or unpaid). This helps enormously in learning the language.

Who does what around Integration? Roles and tasks

Who will tell me if I am obliged to integrate?

If you become obliged to integrate, you will receive a letter from DUO (notification of obligation to integrate). After that, Regio Rivierenland will contact you about the broad intake for integration.

Who will tell me when my integration term starts?

After Regio Rivierenland establishes your Integration and Participation Plan (PIP), DUO will send you a letter (notification of integration term) about your integration term. This starts after the establishment of your PIP.

What does DUO do for me?

DUO sends letters about your obligation to integrate and when the term starts. In addition, DUO will keep you informed about your passed exams and how much time you still have to integrate.

What does COA do for me?

COA is responsible for the shelter and guidance of asylum seekers in the Netherlands. COA guides them towards a future in the Netherlands or abroad. COA works closely with other organizations. More information about shelter and guidance is available in nine languages on coa.nl.

What does Regio Rivierenland do for me?

Regio Rivierenland guides you through your integration process.

What does the IND do for me?

The IND processes and evaluates your application for a residence permit. The IND issues the decision (order) on the application. Other than that, the IND has no role in your integration process.