Netherlands Publishes New Asylum Interview Guidelines to Help Refugees Navigate Complex Procedures
Ter Apel, 7 May 2026
RefugeeHelp has released crucial guidance for asylum seekers facing IND interviews in the Netherlands, emphasising one critical detail that could make or break future applications: mentioning all family members during the first interview at Ter Apel. The comprehensive guide covers both initial screening interviews and substantive second interviews where legal representation is provided. Available in Arabic and multiple languages, the guidance helps refugees understand complex procedures including optional medical examinations and children’s interview rights. The updated information comes as asylum procedures increasingly focus on detailed preparation and accurate disclosure of personal circumstances for successful applications.
First Interview Procedures and Family Documentation Requirements
The first interview with the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) at Ter Apel represents a critical juncture for asylum seekers, where initial questions focus on personal circumstances and reasons for fleeing to the Netherlands [1]. This preliminary screening serves as the foundation for the entire asylum process, with IND officers gathering essential information that will influence all subsequent proceedings. The guidance particularly emphasises the importance of disclosing all family members during this initial interview, as this information becomes crucial for any future family reunification applications. Asylum procedures primarily target adults, as the IND conducts interviews mainly with adult applicants, though children who have fled with their parents may sometimes be entitled to separate interviews with the immigration service [1].
Children’s Rights and Interview Procedures
Children over 15 years old are specifically asked during the first interview whether they have particular reasons for fleeing and whether they wish to conduct an interview with the IND about their reasons for escape [1]. The procedure differs for younger children, with those aged between 12 and 15 years being approached through their parents, who are asked whether their children wish to conduct an independent conversation with the immigration service [1]. Children are not automatically granted interviews, and participation remains voluntary—they are not required to undergo an IND interview if they prefer not to [1]. Even children aged 12 to 15 who do not have personal reasons for seeking asylum should still receive an opportunity to tell their story, often through written statements rather than formal interviews [1].
Second Interview and Legal Representation
The second interview represents the substantive phase of the asylum process, where asylum seekers receive legal representation provided by the Legal Aid Board (RvR) and are questioned in detail about their reasons for fleeing [2]. Asylum seekers can arrange their own lawyer, who must inform the RvR of their involvement, and interpreters will be present if the lawyer does not speak the asylum seeker’s language [2]. The process includes a consultation with VluchtelingenWerk Nederland (Dutch Refugee Council), followed approximately one day later by a meeting with the assigned lawyer [2]. During this interview, an IND employee will ask comprehensive questions about the reasons for fleeing and the need for personal protection, requiring asylum seekers to provide truthful, detailed, and clear information [2].
Medical Examinations and Documentation Process
The guidance outlines optional medical examinations conducted by MediFirst to assess both physical and mental health in preparation for the second IND interview [2]. These examinations require consent from asylum seekers to share medical advice with the IND, and participation remains entirely voluntary—non-cooperation cannot be used against the asylum application [2]. The medical assessment proves particularly relevant for asylum seekers with scars or physical and psychological complaints related to their escape, as the IND may offer these examinations specifically when such evidence is present [2]. Following the second interview, the IND produces a detailed report which asylum seekers and their lawyers review the day after the interview, before the immigration service determines whether the case proceeds to the extended asylum procedure (VA), which can last several months or longer [2]. Asylum seekers can also request free public transport tickets from the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) to travel to their lawyer consultations [2].