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.
Additional information
If you are a national of Syria and are travelling from Syria to Lebanon for your appointment at the embassy, there are two ways you can enter the country.
1. Entering the country yourself
If you are entering Lebanon as a tourist, or for any reason other than your appointment at the Dutch embassy, you are responsible for arranging entry to Lebanon. Find out more about entering Lebanon (information in English and Arabic).
2. Entering the country with border registration arranged by the embassy
If you are entering Lebanon for your appointment at the Dutch embassy, the embassy will need to register your name with the Lebanese border authorities. The procedure is as follows:
- Send an email to the embassy to make an appointment.
- The embassy will email you to ask for permission to share your personal details (name, date of birth and nationality) with the Lebanese border authorities.
- You will need to confirm that you agree to this.
- The embassy will send you an email with the date of your appointment.
- The day before your appointment the embassy will send your personal details to the Lebanese border authorities.
- On the day of your appointment you will need to show the email from the embassy at the border.
Please be aware that your personal details will no longer be protected under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) once they have been shared with the Lebanese authorities.
If you are a Palestinian from Syria, how exactly you can enter Lebanon depends on your travel document.
I have a travel document for Palestinian refugees
Show the email from the embassy at the border. The embassy cannot register your name with the Lebanese border authorities. Find out more about the requirements for entering Lebanon (information in English and Arabic).
I have a travel document issued by the Palestinian or Egyptian authorities
You will need a visa for Lebanon, issued by the Lebanese embassy in Damascus. You will not be able to cross the border with only an email from the Dutch embassy about your appointment.
The Dutch embassy in Beirut cannot contact the Lebanese border authorities to help you enter the country.
If you are unable to enter Lebanon in time for your appointment, email bei-ca@minbuza.nl to make a new appointment at the embassy in Beirut.
Contact
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.