Verlenging naturalisatietermijnen

Reactie

Vraag1

I strongly oppose the blanket extension of the naturalization period from 5 to 10 years without differentiation between categories of immigrants. This measure unfairly penalizes those who are already deeply integrated and actively contributing to the Dutch economy and society, such as highly skilled migrants.

As a highly skilled professional working in international projects, I personally bring over €500,000 in annual economic value to the Netherlands through taxes, local spending, and business activity. I speak five languages, including Dutch, and have built my professional and personal life here with commitment and respect for Dutch values. People like me are not the ones struggling to integrate — we are the ones strengthening this country’s global competitiveness.

Extending the naturalization period to 10 years will not improve integration outcomes. Instead, it will discourage precisely the type of talent that the Netherlands depends on — the engineers, consultants, researchers, and innovators who make this country thrive internationally. Many of us already meet or exceed all integration criteria, including cultural participation, and stable contribution to the tax system.

If this law aims to address integration challenges among asylum seekers or newcomers who are not yet self-sufficient, then it should be designed specifically for that purpose. A one-size-fits-all rule is lazy policymaking. It treats the most contributing residents as if they were the least integrated, which is both offensive and economically self-defeating.

Highly skilled immigrants are not guests — we are partners in the Dutch success story. We choose this country, we pay our share, and we want to belong. Instead of punishing integration with bureaucracy, the government should reward commitment.

I therefore urge lawmakers to introduce an exemption or a fast-track path for highly skilled migrants who demonstrably contribute to the Dutch economy and speak the language, while keeping stricter criteria for those who refuse to integrate. That is how a fair, intelligent, and modern immigration system should work.