Introduction
The Dutch Law on integration, drafted by Rita Verdonk, was passed by the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) on 7 July 2006 and the Senate (Eerste Kamer) on 28 November 2006. It came into force on 1 January 2007.
This immigration law obliges people entering the Netherlands to integrate into Dutch society. After a period of three-and-a-half years (five years for some), they must have passed an exam measuring their level of integration. It consists of two parts, a Dutch language exam and a test of knowledge of Dutch society. The obligation to learn Dutch and integrate applies not only to new immigrants, but also to some who have already lived in the Netherlands for years.
Instruments promoting integration did exist before 2007, but were not compulsory. The law will however have consequences for some of the people who entered the Netherlands before 2007 (subject to certain criteria), but they will not go as far as for people who entered the Netherlands in 2007 or later. Many other countries impose similar obligations on people seeking to adopt their nationality, but not foreign nationals legally resident.
Read more about this topic: Integration Law For Immigrants To The Netherlands
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