Civic integration examination in Lebanon

Do you want to come to the Netherlands for an extended period of time? If so, you probably need to pass the civic integration exam abroad. Find out what you need to do.

Follow the steps

1. Check whether you need to take the exam

You do not have to take the exam if you meet the conditions for exemption.

Find out in which situations you do not have to take the exam (IND)

2. Prepare for the exam

The exam is at language level A1. The exam has the following parts:

Speaking
Reading
Knowledge of Dutch society

You can use the self-study pack to prepare for the exam. It is available in different languages.

Find out what you need to know for the exam (DUO)

3. Register with DUO

Before you can take the civic integration exam, you must register with the Education Executive Agency (DUO).

4. Pay the exam fees to DUO

In total, the exam costs €150, which you must pay to DUO.

5. Make an appointment to take the exam

You must take the civic integration exam at a Dutch embassy or consulate-general. The section ‘Making an appointment’ explains how you can make an appointment and what you need to bring with you.

6. Wait for your result

You will receive an email from DUO within 8 weeks telling you whether you have passed the exam.

7. Apply for a residence permit and MVV

If you passed the civic integration exam, your result will remain valid for 1 year. You or your sponsor will have 1 year to apply for a residence permit and MVV.

Find out how to apply for a residence permit and MVV (IND)

Making an appointment

Within 5 days of paying the exam fees, DUO will send you a payment confirmation. With this confirmation, you can make an appointment to take the exam.

Make an appointment at the Dutch embassy in Beirut by emailing: bei-ca@minbuza.nl. Please include your candidate number in your email.

Bring the following with you to your appointment:

a valid passport
if you are not a national of the country where you will take the exam: valid proof of stay, such as your residence permit or visa
confirmation of your appointment
a recent colour passport photograph

Check what the requirements are for passport photos

Find out how to change or cancel your appointment (DUO)

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.