Where can you find advice and support if you are undocumented?
Legal Advice general
Everybody is entitled to legal aid no matter whether the person concerned has a residence permit or not. If you have a low income, the Juridisch Loket [legal help desk] helps you with legal questions. Well-trained lawyers give advice and information free of charge, under confidential circumstances.
If you need the assistance of a lawyer, the Juridisch Loket can refer you to a specialized lawyer. For people without income most lawyers charge a small fee for their services. With a referral issued by the Juridisch Loket (diagnosis document) the assistance given by the lawyer will be even cheaper. This does, however, require a statement about the income.
In some cities you can also consult Legal Aid [Rechtswinkel]. See the complete list here.
Legal Advice concerning residence permits
Support organizations for people without residence permits have a lot of legal expertise, see the list here.
The Juridisch Loket has a lot of information about family reunification with a foreign partner. See here.
You can also contact a specialized lawyer for advice, see the list of asylum lawyers here and the list of immigration lawyers here.
An initial consult with a lawyer is usually free but you do have to pay for their support with an application for a residence permit. In cases where a lawyer is necessary during a legal procedure, for instance to complain about a decision, it is possible to get reduction of the costs from the Raad voor Rechtsbijstand [legal aid board]. The Raad voor Rechtsbijstand checks your income. If you have no (fixed) income, or no money at all it is wise to explain how you pay for your living expenses when you apply for free legal assistance. If you live together with a partner, the partner’s income will be counted as well.
In case you are victim or witness of violence or theft, you are entitled to go to the police for support. The police is not allowed to check your residence permit or to force you to return if your statement is genuine. Not all police officers are aware of this practice. Make an appointment with a support organisation, and show this police document if you go to the policie office.
In case you are victim or witness of violence or theft, you are entitled to go to the police for support. The police is not allowed to check your residence permit or to force you to return if your statement is genuine. Not all police officers are aware of this practice. Make an appointment with a support organisation, and show this police document if you go to the policie office.
Foreign nationals who do not have a valid residence permit run the risk of immigration detention and deportation. After a negative decision on an asylum request, the applicant gets normally four weeks to voluntarily leave the Netherlands (and Europe). Those who don’t return, run the risk of aliens detention and a ‘light’ entry ban of two years, and possibly expulsion to the country of origin.
Those who opt for voluntary departure can, among other things, contact the following organizations:
International Organization for Migration (IOM)
The IOM is an international organization that offers guidance to migrants since 1951. In the Netherlands, the IOM supports voluntary return in the form of a plane ticket and some pocket money. A higher departure contribution applies to former asylum seekers, for people with a medical problem, and for victims of trafficking. Look for more information on the IOM website.
Dutch Council for Refugees
VluchtelingenWerk Nederland mainly focuses on the support of asylum seekers who have exhausted all legal remedies if they want to return voluntary. In the project: ‘Met opgeheven Hoofd‘ VWN offers tailor-made guidance in the country of return to, for example, work, a company, a training course, medical care and / or accommodation.
WereldWijd Foundation
The WereldWijd foundation’s ‘WereldTools 2021-2024’ project supports participants in setting up their own small business in order to become economically active again as soon as possible after their return. WereldWijd Foundation discuss with the participants the action plan for starting a small business and which materials are needed to realize the plan. Then a box is filled with machines, tools and materials to start up the planned company. The materials in the box are second-hand, refurbished materials, but new materials can be purchased. The box will be sent after the participant has left.
An overview of all service providers can be found at: www.infoterugkeer.nl