Basic Civic Integration

Examination Abroad
Naar Nederland What form does the Basic Civic Integration Exam take?
You want to live with your partner in the Netherlands. Before you The exam consists of 3 parts:
can go to the Netherlands you must pass the Basic Civic Integration 1. Speaking proficiency - you must be able to speak Dutch.
Examination Abroad exam (abbreviated to: Basic civic integration examination). 2. Reading proficiency - you must be able to read Dutch.
You can read all about the Basic Civic Integration Examination in this 3. Knowledge of Dutch society - you need to know how we associate with
brochure. each other in the Netherlands. And what the rules are in
the Netherlands.
Integration in the Netherlands
If you want to live in the Netherlands, you will need to do the More information about the exam can be found at
following: www.naarnederland.nl.
• You must learn the Dutch language. This will make it easier for
you to get on in the Netherlands. Preparing for the Basic Civic Integration Examination
• You must learn what the Netherlands is like. And how we You can prepare for the civic integration examination with the
associate with each other in the Netherlands. official self-study package: Naar Nederland. In this package you will
• You must take part in society. By working or doing voluntary find everything you need to prepare for the exams: speaking
work, for example. You could also take a training course, become proficiency, reading proficiency and knowledge of Dutch society.
a member of an association or simply by maintain contact with You can download this package free of charge or order it for
the neighbours. € 25.00 via the website www.naarnederland.nl.
We also refer to this as ‘integration’ or ‘civic integration’. The package is available in 33 languages.

Do you also have to take the Basic Civic Integration Exam? The website also contains sample exams to practise with.
Whether you are obliged to take the civic integration examination
depends on aspects such as your age or your nationality. Where can you take the exam?
See the website of the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) • At a Dutch embassy
to find out whether the Basic Civic Integration Exam is mandatory • At a Dutch consulate
for you.
You can also call the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). When you sign up for the civic integration examination, you will
Telephone: 088 - 0430 430 (local rate) be able to see whether there is an embassy or consulate in your
From abroad: +31 88 0430 430 country. Is there no embassy or consulate in your country where you
want to take the civic integration examination? In that case you will
What if you can’t take the exam? have to go to another country. You can choose where to take the
Some people can’t take the exam. Because of their health, for exam when you sign up.
example.
Do you want to know whether you need to take an exam? If so, see: How to sign up
www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/nieuw-in-nederland/vraag-en- Fill in the application form.
antwoord/kan-ik-ontheffing-krijgen-voor-een- The exam costs € 150 for all the parts together. You can also take
inburgeringsexamen.html individual exams. For example, if you have failed a part. Speaking
proficiency costs € 60. Reading proficiency costs € 50. Knowledge of Dutch
Passing the Basic Civic Integration Examination Abroad Society costs € 40.
To be allowed to live in the Netherlands, people from outside the
EU usually need a permit. In order to obtain this permit, you must
first pass the Basic Civic Integration Examination Abroad.
What happens after your registration? When have you passed the exam?
Once you have registered for the civic integration examination, you You have passed if you have a pass mark for each of the three parts.
will receive an e-mail from the Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs (DUO). You will be informed whether you have passed separately for each
This will explain how you can pay. Once DUO has received your section. Have you failed a part of the exam? In that case, all you
payment, you will receive another message from DUO. This states have to do is retake that part.
that you can make an appointment for your exam. You make the
appointment with the embassy or consulate. When will you know the results?
Would you like to know more about the Basic Civic Integration You will receive the results from DUO within eight weeks. But it
Examination? If so, see www.naarnederland.nl. usually takes less time. Have you passed all parts of the exam? If so,
Do you have any questions? If so, call the central government you can proceed with your temporary residence permit application.
via number: 1400. There are other rules that you must comply with in order to apply
If you are calling from abroad: + 31 77 4656767. for a temporary residence permit. The Immigration and
You can also ask your question via www.rijksoverheid.nl. Naturalisation Service (IND) can provide you with more information
about this: Go to www.ind.nl
What happens on the day of the exam? You can also call: 088 - 0430 430 (local rate) If you are calling from
• You arrive on the agreed date and time. abroad: +31 88 0430 430
• You must take with you to the exam the confirmation you
received from DUO. You must apply for a temporary residence permit within
• Also take a recent colour passport photo that complies with the one year of passing the exam.
Dutch requirements. Have you missed the deadline? If so, you will have to take the exam
• Report to the reception desk. again. We count from the day you passed the last part of the exam.
• Present your passport. Other proof of identity is also allowed.
• The employee makes a copy. What if you don’t pass the exam?
• Your fingerprints are taken. You can take the exam again at any time. However, you will need to
• All your details are entered into the computer. re-register for the Basic Civic Integration Examination and pay again.

What form does the exam take if you take all the parts Would you like to know more about the exam?
consecutively? If so, see www.naarnederland.nl. Or do you have any questions?
• Explanation of the section Knowledge of Dutch society. Then call the central government: call 1400. If you are calling
• Completion of the section Knowledge of Dutch society. The maximum from abroad: + 31 77 4656767. You can also send us an e-mail.
duration of the exam is 30 minutes. Go to www.rijksoverheid.nl .
• Break.
• Explanation of the reading proficiency part. Integration in the Netherlands
• Completion of the Reading proficiency part. The maximum duration Once you are living in the Netherlands, you must continue to
of the exam is 35 minutes. integrate. This makes it easier for you to participate in Dutch society
• Break. and gives you a better chance of getting a job. That is why you still
• Explanation of the speaking proficiency part. have to pass the Civic Integration Examination in the Netherlands.
• Completion of the Speaking proficiency part. The maximum Would you like more information about this? If so, see:
duration of the exam is 30 minutes. www.inburgeren.nl.

You take the exams on a computer. You don’t have to write. All in
all, you will be at the embassy or consulate for about two hours.