Civic integration examination in Lebanon
If you want to come to the Netherlands for an extended period of time you may have to pass the civic integration examination abroad. Find out what you must do.
Follow the steps below
1. Verify whether you must take the exam
You do not have to take the civic integration exam abroad if you meet the conditions for exemption.
2. Prepare for the exam
You can prepare for the civic integration exam using the Naar Nederland self-study pack. It is available in different languages. Read the Frequently Asked Questions on Naarnederland.nl for more information.
3. Register with DUO
Before you can sit the civic integration exam, you must register with the Education Executive Agency (DUO).
4. Make payment to DUO
The exam consists of the following parts:
- Speaking
- Reading
- Knowledge of Dutch society
In total the exam costs € 150, which must be paid to DUO.
5. Make an appointment to sit the exam
You must sit the exam at a Dutch mission in a country of which you are a national or for which you hold a residence permit. The section ‘Making an appointment’ below explains how to make an appointment and what you must bring.
6. Wait for your result
You will receive an email from DUO within 8 weeks informing you whether you have passed your exam.
7. Apply for authorisation for temporary stay (MVV)
If you’ve passed your civic integration exam, you can apply for an authorisation for temporary stay (MVV, also called a long-stay visa). You must submit your application within one year of passing your exam.
8. Continue the civic integration process
After arriving in the Netherlands you must continue the civic integration process.
Making an appointment
Within 5 days of paying the exam fees you will receive payment confirmation from DUO. With this confirmation you can make an appointment to sit the exam.
Make an appointment at the Netherlands embassy in Beirut by emailing: bei-ca@minbuza.nl
What to bring to your appointment
Bring the following with you to your appointment:
- a valid passport
- confirmation of your appointment
- a recent colour passport photograph
Check the requirements for passport photos.
Extra information
Are you a Syrian national coming from Syria for your appointment with the Netherlands embassy in Beirut? The Lebanese authorities will only allow you to enter Lebanon for an embassy appointment if the embassy registers your name at the border.
You can also choose to enter as a tourist or for another reason than your embassy appointment. Then your name does not have to be registered.
For entry without prior border registration other entry conditions apply. Read more about the different Lebanese entry visas (information in English and Arabic).
How to get an appointment for the civic integration exam?
- You email the embassy for an appointment.
- The embassy asks you permission by email for sending your personal date (name, date of birth and nationality) to the Lebanese border authorities.
- You confirm that your personal date can be shared with the Lebanese border authorities, or you inform the embassy that you do not give permission.
- The embassy sends you an email with your appointment date.
- The week before your appointment the embassy sends your personal data to the Lebanese border authorities (only when you gave permission in step 3).
- At the day of your appointment you show your appointment email at the Lebanese border.
Please be aware that your personal data are no longer protected under the General Data Protection Regulation after the embassy sends them to the Lebanese border authorities.
The Netherlands embassy in Beirut is unfortunately unable to contact the Lebanese border authorities if you encounter problems entering Lebanon. If you cannot enter Lebanon in time for your appointment, please email the embassy to make a new appointment.
Are you a Palestinian with a Syrian travel document for Palestinian Refugees? You can show your appointment email at the Lebanese border to prove the purpose of your entry. There is no procedure to register your name at the border.
Check the website of the Lebanese General Security for the other entry requirements.
Are you a Palestinian with a travel document issued by the Palestinian or Egyptian authorities? Then your appointment email is not enough to enter Lebanon. You need to obtain a visa from the Lebanese embassy in Damascus.
The Netherlands embassy in Beirut is unfortunately unable to contact the Lebanese border authorities if you encounter problems entering Lebanon. If you cannot enter Lebanon in time for your appointment, please email the embassy to make a new appointment.
Contact
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.