More than 400 Ukrainian refugees have reported to the town hall in Assen since last week to pick up a so-called residence sticker. They need this from 1 September to demonstrate that they are allowed to live and work in the Netherlands.
One of these six specially set up counters of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) is located in Assen. The location opened exactly a week ago. It is also possible to get a residence sticker in Nieuwegein, Amsterdam, Deventer, Rijswijk and Den Bosch. In total, more than 5000 Ukrainians have done this.
Two temporary workers currently work at the counter in Assen, who are led by two IND employees, a spokesperson reported. The site is not yet operating at full capacity. “We are dealing with a tight labor market, that also affects us. It is difficult to recruit people.”
The sticker in the passport is important for the Ukrainians; it makes it possible to live and work in the Netherlands until at least 4 March 2023. In addition, until that date they are also entitled to living allowance, shelter, medical care and education for children.
In addition, some want to return to their home country during this summer, for example to visit family. If the people are checked at the Dutch border upon return, it is not possible to return them – to an unsafe Ukrainian area – with a sticker in the passport.
The IND aims to double the number of stickers issued next week. After that, six to twelve thousand a week should be added. In total there are now 65,000 Ukrainians in the Netherlands.