ASKV opens counter in Amsterdam
De Regenboog Groep is pleased that on January 2, 2025, the counter for the residence scheme for Surinamese former Dutch nationals will be officially opened. ASKV (Amsterdams Solidariteits Komitee Vluchtelingen) will implement the scheme. The scheme, for which De Regenboog Groep and other parties have fought for years, finally offers a solution to a group of people who have spent decades in a legal no man's land.
After years of uncertainty and legal battles, the House of Representatives last summer approved a special residency arrangement for undocumented Surinamese former Dutch nationals. This group, who were once Dutch citizens, lost their Dutch nationality upon Suriname's independence in 1975. Despite their historical and social ties to the Netherlands, they fell through the cracks of the law and often lived without access to basic rights and were therefore unable to participate fully in society.
The new desk, located at Harriet Freezerstraat 119b in Amsterdam, now offers Surinamese former Dutchmen the opportunity to apply for a residence permit. This has been made possible in part through the efforts of the City of Amsterdam, Human Rights Initiatives (HRI), ASKV, Stichting Comité 1-7-2013 and Eva Bezem (law firm Prakken d'Oliveira). ASKV is responsible for implementing this scheme in close cooperation with the City of Amsterdam.
Erik Rouw, director-director of ASKV, is looking forward to the opening of the counter:"It is incredibly good that this historic mistake is being corrected. Finally there is perspective and clarity for this group. The colleagues have worked very hard in recent months for the counter. We are ready to support the Surinamese former Dutch citizens with their application."
How does the application process work?
The scheme is one-time. Surinamese former Dutch nationals can apply for a residence permit through the ASKV counter between January 1, 2025 and July 1, 2025. To be eligible, they must meet a number of conditions. These conditions can be found on the ASKV website: www.askv.nl/suriname.
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ASKV offers free support for:
- Collecting required documents.
- Submitting the application to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND).
The municipality of Amsterdam, on behalf of all Dutch municipalities, will provide a mayor's certificate confirming that the Netherlands has been the applicant's principal place of residence for the past 10 years.
Practical information
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More information about the scheme, eligibility and the application process can be found on the ASKV website: www.askv.nl/suriname.
- Address counter: Harriet Freezerstraat 119b, Amsterdam.
- Please note: The counter works by appointment only. To make an appointment visit: www.askv.nl/suriname.