IWCN Procedures for EU/EEA/Swiss

In order to make use of the streamlined formality procedures of the International Welcome Center North, the employer must be registered as a recognized sponsor with the IND (Immigration Service). Furthermore, the employee (and their families) must live in or have a registration address in one of the municipalities participating in the IWCN: Assen, Eemsdelta, Emmen, Groningen, Heerenveen, Het Hogeland, Leeuwarden, Midden-Groningen, Noordenveld, Smallingerland, Súdwest-Fryslân and Veendam.

Prior to the appointment

• Please take into consideration that the IWCN charges fees for its services. An invoice for the fees (if applicable) will be provided to the client during the appointment. Payment should be made during the appointment or by bank transfer as soon as possible. We accept VPAY and Maestro debit cards (no credit cards) for payment of the fees (if applicable).
• Please send an email to formalities@iwcn.nl and include your name, email address, company and short message and we will contact you. The appointment can be planned on request.
• The employee or company representative will receive an email from the IWCN concerning the appointment. The email will contain a list of all of the required documents necessary for the procedure at the IWCN (valid passports or country IDs; color copies (if possible) of birth, marriage, and divorce certificates, and proof of address in the Netherlands).
• Electronic copies of all the required documents must be emailed to formalities@iwcn.nl well before the appointment.
• NOTE: ALL OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS NEED TO BE COMPLETE, CORRECT, and DELIVERED ON TIME IN ORDER TO USE THE ACCELERATED FORMALITIES SERVICES AT THE IWCN.

During the IWCN appointment

The visit will involve meeting a representative from the local Municipality, who will register the employee in the Municipal Database and issue the employee a BSN (personal public service number for the Netherlands). The employee must bring all the following documents with them to the appointment (for all applicable family members): appointment confirmation letter and originals of all the required documents.

• The employee will immediately be issued a BSN during the appointment if they live in or will temporarily register at the address of a company located in Groningen. It can take up to three business days to receive a BSN by post if the employee lives in or will register temporarily at the address of a company located in the other participating municipalities: Assen, Eemsdelta, Emmen, Heerenveen, Het Hogeland, Leeuwarden, Midden-Groningen, Noordenveld, Smallingerland, Súdwest-Fryslân or Veendam.
• Following the appointment, the employee (and applicable family members) will have the opportunity to ask the IWCN staff any other questions they may have about living in the Northern Netherlands. They can receive referrals for services and be able to obtain information on other practical matters. In addition, the employee will have the opportunity to start building a social network by participating in events and activities organized by the IWCN.