Temporary directive on protection for Ukrainian refugees extended, but adapted regulations for third-country nationals | News item

News item | 31-01-2023 | 10:12

The Temporary Protection Directive has been extended until March 4, 2024. For the majority of refugees from Ukraine, nothing will change and they will continue to have access to the labor market. Refugees with a temporary residence permit in Ukraine (e.g. for work or study) and therefore do not have Ukrainian nationality, will no longer fall under the Temporary Protection Directive from 4 March 2023. Refugees who no longer fall under the directive must, in order to come to the Netherlands may work have a work permit.

Until March 4, 2024, refugees with Ukrainian nationality who fall under the directive can continue to work with the sticker or pass they already have and an extension letter from the IND.

Between 27 January and 25 February 2023, these people will receive a letter from the IND explaining that their residence document has been extended. This renewal letter is valid from March 4, 2023 in combination with the stickers or pass. With these documents they can demonstrate that they are covered by the directive.

Refugees from Ukraine who do not have Ukrainian nationality but who still fall under the Directive after March 4, 2023 because, for example, they have a residence status in Ukraine or are family members of a Ukrainian, must have a new O document from March 4, 2023.

In February 2023, the IND will send these people a letter in English on how to collect the O document.

Refugees from Ukraine with a temporary residence permit in Ukraine (e.g. for work or study) and therefore do not have Ukrainian nationality, will no longer fall under the Temporary Protection Directive from 4 March 2023. If these people wish to continue the asylum procedure in the Netherlands, from 4 March 2023 the rules for asylum seekers for access to the Dutch labor market.

If these people have been in the asylum procedure for longer than six months (valid from the moment they have registered with a municipality in the Netherlands), they may (from 4 March 2023) work 24 weeks in a period of 52 weeks.

The employer must first apply for a work permit at UWV

Which documents can be used to demonstrate that someone falls under the European Temporary Protection Directive and is therefore allowed to work?
until March 4, 2023From March 4, 2023 to March 4, 2024

Ukrainian nationality

Existing document remains valid.

They will receive a letter from the IND regarding the extension of their documents.

Sticker (on insert) and the O document are valid until March 4, 2023Sticker and O valid until March 4, 2023 are valid until March 4, 2024 with an extension letter from the IND that the employee will receive in February.

Refugees from Ukraine who do not have Ukrainian nationality

Get a new document from the IND. They will receive a letter from the IND about this.

Sticker (on insert) and the O document are valid until March 4, 2023The IND will issue a new O-document in February 2023 that is valid until March 4, 2024

Refugees with a temporary permit who do not have Ukrainian nationality are covered not more under the Temporary Protection Directive after 4 March

Can fall back on the asylum procedure. The employer must apply for a work permit from the UWV.

Sticker (on insert) and the O document are valid until March 4, 2023Can fall back on asylum procedure. After having been in the procedure for 6 months, you may work 24 weeks in a period of 52 weeks if the conditions are met. For this, the employer requires a work permit, which can be requested from the UWV. See – Special conditions by category | UWV | Employers.

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