Formalities Services

The International Welcome Center North (IWCN) is the only one-stop shop for international people living in, and companies located in, Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe.

We offer services in government formalities, namely residence permits and municipal registration. For municipal registration, we work with the municipalities of  Assen, Eemsdelta, Emmen, Groningen, Heerenveen, Het Hogeland, Leeuwarden, Midden-Groningen, Noordenveld, Smallingerland and Súdwest-Fryslân. Formalities depend on the nation of origin of the incoming international resident, as well as what kind of residence permit they need.

Government formalities

Provided they fulfill the necessary requirements, employees from all three northern provinces (including Highly-skilled migrants, Researchers, Orientation year, Intra-Corporate Transferees, Start-up, Self-employed, EU Blue card, EU employees and their family members) can use the International Welcome Center North to quickly arrange government formalities.

A fee may apply so please check this link for further information.

An appointment can be requested by submitting the appropriate online form in the left menu.

After these formalities are finalized, employees can finish payroll registration at their companies, open a bank account, sign up for health insurance, register for mobile phone subscriptions, and all of the other steps for settling in sooner and more smoothly, saving time and reducing frustration.