Dutch Immigration Service Recruits User Experience Researcher to Modernise Digital Systems
Utrecht, 4 April 2026
The IND is hiring a UX researcher to replace staff on parental leave, signalling plans to transform their digital infrastructure. The recruitment reveals the agency’s ambition to become a data-driven service provider while preparing to replace their existing INDiGO system in phases over coming years. This modernisation effort could significantly impact how asylum seekers and migrants interact with Dutch immigration services, potentially streamlining processes that currently affect thousands of applications annually.
Temporary Position to Support Modernisation Efforts
The IND is seeking a user experience researcher for a 36-hour per week freelance or interim position in Utrecht, specifically to replace staff currently on pregnancy and parental leave [1]. This temporary assignment reflects the agency’s ongoing commitment to developing user experience capabilities within their existing UX team, which comprises both designers and researchers [1]. The position requires candidates to possess a minimum of a completed HBO education alongside at least five years of experience as a UX researcher, with particular emphasis on leading explorative and generative research initiatives [1]. Additionally, successful applicants must demonstrate proficiency in both Dutch and English at a minimum B1 level to effectively conduct interviews, deliver presentations, and produce reports in both languages [1].
Strategic Vision for Data-Driven Immigration Services
The recruitment forms part of the IND’s broader strategic objective to establish itself as a modern, data-driven service provider within the Dutch migration system [1]. This transformation is being supported by the Directie Informatievoorziening (DIV), which oversees all business processes within the IND through four distinct departments: Strategie & Regie, Productiehuis, Continuïteit en Technisch Beheer, and Datadiensten [1]. The DIV maintains critical interactions with both internal and external directorates, as well as essential chain partners including the Kamer van Koophandel (KvK), Basisregistratie Personen (RvIG), and Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs (DUO) [1]. The department’s responsibilities encompass supporting the online collaboration platform through SharePoint, managing business operations systems including data warehouses and third-party systems, and maintaining the public-facing environment through IND.nl and mijnIND portals [1].
Comprehensive System Overhaul in Development
The IND has confirmed that their existing INDiGO system landscape will undergo complete replacement through a phased approach over the coming years [1]. This systematic transformation represents a significant technological undertaking that will affect how the agency processes immigration applications and interacts with applicants. The new UX researcher will play a crucial role in ensuring these system changes prioritise user-centred design principles, with particular focus on ethics and inclusivity considerations [2]. The position involves initiating and leading UX research initiatives, determining and executing various research methodologies, writing comprehensive research plans, and presenting findings to both team members and stakeholders [2].
Impact on Immigration Services and Applicant Experience
The IND’s investment in user experience research reflects the agency’s recognition that improved digital interfaces could significantly enhance how asylum seekers and other migrants navigate Dutch immigration processes [GPT]. The agency, which operates as part of the Ministry of Justice and Security alongside the COA (Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers) and DT&V (Repatriation and Departure Service), processes applications from foreigners seeking to remain in the Netherlands or obtain Dutch citizenship [2]. The UX researcher will contribute to promoting human-centered design principles whilst working independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams [2]. However, while these digital improvements may enhance user experience, any changes to actual processing times or legal procedures would require separate official announcements from the agency [alert! ‘speculative statement based on general understanding of government procedures’].