Immigration & Formalities
Request an appointment for Formalities Services (IND and municipality)
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Welcome to the North
The International Welcome Center North helps you arrange practical matters (obtaining your residence permit, municipal registration, and BSN number), provides information on living, working or studying in the Netherlands, and offers events to help you integrate here. All in one place.
We’re open Monday to Thursday from 9:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 17:00 (Tuesdays and Thursdays appointments only)
Our Services
Our latest blog post
5 Things You Need to Do After Arriving in the Netherlands
Moving to a new country is exciting, but it comes with many things that need to be taken care of, both before and right after you arrive. To make it easier, we've put together a list of five things that you need to do upon arrival to ensure a smooth start to your new life here in the Northern Netherlands.
Wed, 7th of October 2026 | Friesland
Fryslân Connected
Free
In Collaboration with External
Integration
Networking
Thu, 8th of October 2026 | Groningen
De Lifecycle van de Arbeidsrelatie met een International | IWCN Expert Session
Free
Information
Wed, 28th of October 2026 | Groningen
Dutch History & Culture | The Dutch Canon
Free
Social Gatherings
Tue, 3rd of November 2026 | Online
Navigating the Dutch Education System | IWCN Webinar
Free
Information
Wed, 18th of November 2026 | Groningen
Dutch History & Culture | The Royal Family
Free
Social Gatherings
Join our events!
Whether you're interested in cycling, cultural activities, social clubs, family-friendly outings, or informative events, we've got you covered.
News from the North
NASA opts for space telescope featuring technology from Groningen
The University of Groningen will help build a new space telescope for the US space agency NASA. It will be an extremely sensitive telescope, 1,000 times more sensitive than its predecessors, which NASA will use to study far-infrared light from space. NASA had to choose between several proposals for the telescope and ultimately selected the […]
Supercomputer for Groningen AI Factory to be located at Zernike Campus
The location for the supercomputer that will be part of Groningen’s AI Factory will be based at the Zernike Campus, specifically at Eurofiber’s data centre campus. The aim is for both the AI Factory and the supercomputer to be operational in 2028. Groningen will become the first city in the Netherlands to have an AI […]
Groningen braces for rare solar eclipse
Groningen is getting ready for a spectacular evening on Wednesday, August 12, when the province will witness the largest solar eclipse visible from the Netherlands since 1999. The eclipse will begin at 7:17 p.m., reaching its peak at 8:11 p.m. A similar event will not occur again until 2088. The rare phenomenon is already attracting […]
About Us
About Us
Feel at home in the North in just a few steps
We understand there are many things to take care of when getting settled in a new country.
That’s why it’s our mission to provide a welcoming space where you can take care of everything at one convenient location.
25+
Years of experience
3
Great provinces
45,000+
Internationals helped
We helped 45,000+ international people
“I have lived in several countries (USA, Germany, Russia, Egypt) but I have to say that I have had the best experience at the Welcome Center in Groningen. Thank you again!”
Muhamed Amin
Saudi Arabia
“How happy it makes me to learn that the flowers got there and that they brightened up everyone’s day! This was my goal.
You guys work hard, and I wanted to make sure you guys know that your work is meaningful and very well appreciated in the city.”
Kervin Zamora
Honduras
“I would recommend the IWCN for new Internationals, who would like help finding their feet, but also for those who have been in the Northern Netherlands, as the information on offer is very extensive!”
Siddharta Omar
India
“The idea to have such an office to welcome foreigners is a formidable one and this is a good tangible result. I wish there had been such an office, and people like you, 13 years ago when we arrived. It would probably have made our lives so much better, especially the first years!”
Valerio Cugia
Italy
Founders and Supporters of IWCN
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