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Integration Period Expired or Need an Extension: What Now?

You got a letter from DUO or the municipality and you see that your integration period is almost over. Or worse: the date has already passed. What now? The core: you can in some situations request postponement or extension, but you have to do it yourself, with evidence, before or as soon as possible after the deadline. Don't wait, because silence often costs you money and time.

In the Netherlands, your integration obligation depends on the law that applies to you. The Wet inburgering 2013 applies to people who became subject to the integration obligation before 1 January 2022: language at A2 or higher within 3 years, plus KNM. The Wet inburgering 2021 applies to everyone who became subject to the integration obligation from 1 January 2022: the B1 route requires language at B1 within 3 years, plus KNM, and the municipality also arranges the participation declaration trajectory and the Labour Market & Participation Module. There is also an education route and a Z route with A1. Which rules apply to you determines what 'extending' means.

This guide shows you how to read your period, when an extension is realistic, what words to say to the municipality, and how to keep practising in the meantime. You don't have to do it alone: DUO, IND and your municipality are there for questions. But you have to speak up yourself. Below you'll find steps, example sentences and a checklist you can use this week.

What exactly is the integration period and when does it expire?

Your integration period is the time in which you must obtain your integration diploma. Under the Wet inburgering 2013, it is in principle 3 years from the date you became subject to the integration obligation. Under the Wet inburgering 2021, it is also 3 years, but then for the B1 route, the education route or the Z route. The exact start date is in your DUO decision or in the letter from your municipality. Find that date, because everything counts from there.

The period continues as long as you live in the Netherlands with a valid residence permit. If you go abroad for a long time, the period may pause or continue, depending on your situation. Also, if you are exempt because of a Dutch diploma or a Statesexamen NT2 diploma, your obligation changes. Doubting? Ask DUO in writing via Mijn Inburgering or ask your municipality. Keep all letters in a folder, physical or digital.

A common misconception is that the period automatically stops if you get sick or if you get a job. That is not the case. The period continues unless you have officially been granted postponement or extension. That's why it's so important to report on time if something is going on. The earlier you speak up, the more room there is to find a solution together.

Extending the integration period: when is it possible and when not?

Extension or postponement of your integration period is not an automatic right. You must show that due to circumstances beyond your control you could not take the exam on time. Think of long-term illness, a death in the family, psychological problems, a move that stops your course, or a municipality that did not have a suitable offer. The more concrete your evidence, the greater the chance that DUO or the municipality will think along with you.

Under the Wet inburgering 2021, guidance goes through the municipality. If you are on the B1 route and have followed at least 600 hours of language lessons but do not achieve B1, you can talk to the municipality about scaling down to A2. That is not an extension of the period, but it can mean that you obtain your diploma with A2 within the time. Request this on time, not in the last month.

Under the Wet inburgering 2013, you request postponement or extension from DUO. You will then deal with forms and evidence. A doctor's statement, a letter from your practitioner, a letter from the municipality about your course, or a statement from your employer can help. Never just send an email saying 'it's not working'. Send an official request with attachments and keep a copy. Who exactly you need to contact depends on your law and your route: check Mijn Inburgering and the letters from your municipality.

What happens if the period has already expired?

If your period has expired without a diploma, you usually get a letter with a reminder or a fine. The amount and the precise consequences differ per situation and per law. Don't let the letter paralyse you, but take action. You can still explain why it didn't work and ask for a new chance or an adjusted trajectory. Sometimes there is a possibility to still take an exam or to get an extension with retroactive effect.

Important: if you don't respond, the file only becomes more complicated. Respond within the period stated in the letter, even if you don't have all the evidence yet. Then write: 'I am responding to your letter of [date]. I am still collecting evidence and will send it within two weeks.' That way you keep in touch and show that you are cooperating. Keep copies of everything you send.

If you now want to apply for a permanent residence permit or naturalisation, an outstanding integration obligation can be a problem. For naturalisation, you usually need an integration diploma at A2 or higher, or a Statesexamen NT2 diploma. An expired period does not automatically mean you can never naturalise, but it does make the process longer. Always check the current requirements with IND.

Difference between Wet inburgering 2013 and Wet inburgering 2021 for your period

Under the Wet inburgering 2013, you took language exams at A2 or higher and KNM. The period was 3 years. Depending on when your obligation started, ONA (Orientation on the Dutch Labour Market) and the participation declaration were added. You arranged a lot yourself via DUO. If your period is about to expire, you ask DUO for postponement with evidence. Your municipality can sometimes still support you, but the legal route goes through DUO.

Under the Wet inburgering 2021, you are in a route: B1 route, education route or Z route. The B1 route requires language at B1 within 3 years, plus KNM. The municipality arranges the participation declaration trajectory and the Labour Market & Participation Module. The education route is mainly for young people and requires language at B1 or higher. The Z route requires Dutch at A1 and is intended for people for whom the other routes are too difficult. With the B1 route, scaling down to A2 is possible if you have had at least 600 hours of lessons and do not achieve B1. You discuss that with the municipality.

So it is never the case that 'all integration is A2' or 'all integration is B1'. It depends on your law and your route. Write down for yourself: which law applies to me, which route, which deadline, and who is my contact person? Put that in a table on one A4. That prevents you from mixing up what DUO, the municipality and IND ask of you.

Practical example sentences for municipality, DUO and GP

I am calling because my integration period is almost over. Can you tell me what steps I need to take now?
I would like to request an extension of my integration period. What evidence do you need?
My integration period has expired. I would like to make an appointment to discuss what my options are.
I have been struggling with my health for a long time. My GP can write a statement. Can that help with my request?
I have followed more than 600 hours of language lessons, but B1 is not working yet. Can I talk to you about scaling down to A2?
I received a letter from DUO about a fine. I want to respond and explain why it didn't work. Who can I turn to?
Can you help me with DigiD? I want to check my details in Mijn Inburgering.
I would like to request a copy of my file so I can see exactly when my period started.

Step-by-step plan: what you do this week

Step 1: Find your official start date and deadline in Mijn Inburgering, in letters from DUO or in the letter from your municipality. Write them on one A4.
Step 2: Determine which law applies to you: Wet inburgering 2013 (before 1 January 2022) or Wet inburgering 2021 (from 1 January 2022). Also note your route: B1, education or Z.
Step 3: Collect evidence that explains your situation: doctor's statement, letters from your practitioner, proof of language lessons, a statement from your employer or municipality.
Step 4: Write a short letter or email with: your name, BSN, which law and route, your deadline, what is going on, and what you are asking for (postponement, extension or scaling down). Attach the evidence.
Step 5: Send your request to the right authority: DUO via Mijn Inburgering for the 2013 law, your municipality for the 2021 routes. Ask for confirmation of receipt.
Step 6: Keep practising reading, listening, writing and speaking in the meantime. Even if you are waiting for a decision, keep your routine. Plan fixed moments in your week.

Common mistakes (and what actually works)

Mistake: waiting until the last day. Fix: report problems as soon as they arise, preferably months before the deadline.
Mistake: only calling and not putting anything in writing. Fix: always send an email or letter and ask for confirmation.
Mistake: thinking that a job or pregnancy automatically gives an extension. Fix: officially request postponement with evidence.
Mistake: sending evidence only after a fine has already been issued. Fix: send it immediately with your first request.
Mistake: not checking which law and route apply to you. Fix: check Mijn Inburgering and the letters from your municipality, and note it on one A4.
Mistake: stopping practising during the procedure. Fix: keep your routine, because your exam will come at some point anyway.

Mini checklist for your request

Check 1: My start date and deadline are on paper.
Check 2: I know whether I fall under the Wet inburgering 2013 or 2021 and which route I have.
Check 3: I have collected and copied evidence.
Check 4: I have sent a short letter or email with my question and asked for confirmation.
Check 5: I have a folder (digital or physical) with all letters, emails and evidence.

How to practise this (Dutch Fluency + more)

While you wait for a decision about your period, you can keep training your language skills. On Dutch Fluency NT2 you will find exam-style exercises for reading, listening, writing and speaking. Use the exercises for A2 and B1 to keep your routine. Read a short text every day, listen to a fragment and write three sentences about your day. That way you keep thinking in Dutch, even if you are nervous about the letters.

Also practise the conversations you have with the municipality or DUO. Write down your questions and read them out loud. Record yourself with your phone and listen back. The more often you say the words 'inburgeringstermijn', 'verlenging', 'uitstel' and 'afschalen', the easier the conversation goes. In the Dutch Fluency app you will find short lessons you can do during your break, so you don't have to learn everything at once.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I extend my integration period?

Sometimes you can. You must show that due to circumstances beyond your control you could not take the exam on time, for example illness or a course that got stuck. Request it in writing from DUO (Wet inburgering 2013) or from your municipality (Wet inburgering 2021). Send evidence and keep a copy.

What happens if my integration period has expired?

You usually get a letter with a reminder or fine. Respond within the period in that letter, even if you don't have all the evidence yet. Explain what is going on and ask for a new chance or an adjusted trajectory. Don't ignore the letter, because then the file becomes more complicated.

How do I request postponement from DUO or the municipality?

Write a short letter or email with your name, BSN, which law and route apply to you, your deadline, what is going on and what you are asking for. Attach evidence, such as a doctor's statement or a letter from your practitioner. Ask for confirmation of receipt and keep everything.

I have had 600 hours of lessons but I am not achieving B1. What now?

Under the B1 route of the Wet inburgering 2021, you can talk to your municipality about scaling down to A2. That is not an automatic extension, but it can mean that you obtain your diploma with A2 within the period. Request this on time, not in the last month.

Does a job or pregnancy automatically extend my integration period?

No, that does not happen automatically. You must officially request postponement or extension and include evidence. A statement from your employer or doctor can help. Without an official request, the period simply continues.

Can I still naturalise if my integration period has expired?

Naturalisation usually requires an integration diploma at A2 or higher, or a Statesexamen NT2 diploma. An expired period does not automatically mean it is never possible again, but it makes the process longer. Check the current requirements with IND and ask your municipality for advice.

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