After Passing the Inburgering Exam: Diploma, IND Proof, and Next Steps

After you pass all required inburgering exams, your next job is to collect the right proof and use it in the right place. Most people need a digital inburgeringsdiploma from Mijn diploma's, a paper diploma only if an office asks for it, or a separate document such as a Z-route certificate or Staatsexamen NT2 diploma. Passing the exam is important, but it does not automatically give you Dutch citizenship or a stronger residence permit.

• For most A2, B1, or B2 inburgering routes, DUO makes your inburgeringsdiploma available digitally in Mijn diploma's through Mijn Inburgering.
• Under Wet inburgering 2021, the diploma shows whether you did the exam at A2, B1, or B2. Under Wet inburgering 2013, DUO says the diploma is always an A2-level diploma and does not show the exam level.
• If you completed the Z-route, you do not get an inburgeringsdiploma from DUO. You get a certificate from your gemeente.
• If you passed all four Staatsexamen NT2 parts, DUO sends the diploma by post when the official rules apply. You can also use Mijn diploma's for a digital uittreksel.
• For naturalisation or a stronger residence permit, the IND or municipality still checks the full application. Your diploma is proof for the integration part, not approval of the whole application.

The word diploma is used for several different documents. Use this table to avoid sending the wrong proof.

Do not treat a practice score, teacher estimate, or exam-day feeling as a pass. Wait for the official result from DUO, Mijn Inburgering, Mijn DUO, or the route named in your exam letter. If you are still waiting, use the results article before you plan your next step.

For timelines by exam family, read the inburgering exam results guide.

For an inburgeringsdiploma, log in to Mijn Inburgering with DigiD, choose Diploma, and continue to Mijn diploma's. DUO says the digital diploma is free and has the same value as a certified copy. Use the PDF digitally. A printed copy of the digital diploma is not valid.

For a DUO uittreksel, log in to Mijn diploma's yourself. The uittreksel is an official digital extract and valid proof of your diploma. DUO says it is a PDF with an authenticity feature, so send the original digital PDF when an organisation asks for digital proof.

You usually do not need paper if the organisation accepts the digital diploma or uittreksel. If you do need paper, DUO says you can request one paper inburgeringsdiploma for free in Mijn Inburgering. It can take up to 8 weeks to arrive.

If you lose paper proof later, you can download the digital diploma again for free. A new copy of the paper inburgeringsdiploma costs EUR 72 according to DUO's current diploma page, and DUO sends it after payment.

For a stronger residence permit or naturalisation, the diploma is only one part of the application. The IND says it assesses the integration requirement for stronger residence permits. For naturalisation, the municipality handles your request and the IND decides on the application. Other conditions can still matter, such as residence history, identity documents, income, public order, and nationality rules.

• For a stronger permit, read the permanent residence proof guide before you upload documents to the IND.
• For Dutch citizenship, read the naturalisation proof guide and ask your gemeente which originals or digital proofs they want.
• For work or study, ask the employer, school, or university whether they need the inburgeringsdiploma, the NT2 diploma, or a DUO uittreksel.
• For foreign diplomas, use the official IDW route if you need a Dutch valuation of earlier education.

Some people pass an exam but still need a different next step. These are the most common cases.

• Z-route: ask your gemeente when and how you receive the certificate. DUO says the gemeente provides it.
• Staatsexamen NT2 after 1 January 2021: if you passed all four parts, DUO says the diploma is sent by registered mail within 4 weeks. Certificates and the diploma are valid indefinitely.
• Staatsexamen NT2 before 1 January 2021: if you passed all four parts and want to exchange certificates for a diploma, DUO says to email nt2@duo.nl.
• Only part of NT2 passed: you can request proof for the parts you passed, but you do not have the full NT2 diploma yet.
• A1 basisexamen abroad: passing helps with the MVV process, but it is not the same as completing inburgering in the Netherlands.

If you passed the A1 exam abroad, use the basisexamen MVV next-steps guide instead of this article.

• Save the official result letter or email.
• Download your digital diploma or uittreksel from Mijn diploma's.
• Keep the original PDF safe and send it digitally when digital proof is allowed.
• Request a paper diploma only when an organisation asks for paper proof.
• Check Mijn Inburgering, Mijn DUO, and your postal address so official letters do not go missing.
• If you had a DUO loan or deadline, check whether passing changes your repayment, forgiveness, or fine situation.
• Before applying to the IND or for naturalisation, check the exact document list for your application.

• Do not assume passing gives citizenship automatically. Naturalisation is a separate application.
• Do not assume passing gives permanent residence automatically. The IND checks the full residence application.
• Do not assume a Z-route certificate works for every goal. Check the specific IND or municipality requirement.
• Do not send original paper documents unless an official instruction says to bring or show originals.
• Do not rely on screenshots of Mijn diploma's. Use the official PDF or the document requested by the organisation.