Verlenging naturalisatietermijnen

Reactie

Vraag1

I am a highly skilled migrant currently living and working in the Netherlands. I have been living in this country for the past three years. Given the opportunity, I would be happy to apply for citizenship after five years.

When I first decided to move here, I chose the Netherlands as my new home because of its welcoming attitude toward foreigners, its international character, and its position as a global hub in Europe. Obtaining citizenship one day was one of my motivations to feel fully at home.

The proposed extension of the residency period for citizenship from five to ten years is deeply concerning for several reasons:
1. It gives the impression that the Netherlands is no longer as welcoming to internationals, making me question whether it remains a good place for talented professionals.
2. It suggests that cultural adjustment depends solely on time. I know people who learned Dutch within two years of their arrival and began integrating with the local community. I also know people who have lived here for 35 years but remain in their own bubble. Integration and cultural embrace cannot be measured simply by years. If the main reason for this proposal is to encourage cultural integration, the government could implement more effective measures to support adaptation.
3. It reflects instability in the promises made to residents. We arrived in this country under certain conditions, and changing them with each new government or policy shift undermines trust in the system.

I am confident that extending this timeframe will make the Netherlands a less attractive destination for international talent, as professionals may feel like perpetual outsiders in need of sponsorship. I kindly urge the government to retract this proposal so that the Netherlands can remain an internationally attractive hub and a welcoming home for skilled migrants.