Frequently asked questions

To learn more about the asylum procedure in the Netherlands, visit the IND website: Apply for asylum in the Netherlands | IND

You can also visit Refugee Help, which offers up-to-date information about the asylum process, housing, and work.

If you have more questions, you can contact the Dutch Council for Refugees, a human rights organization that supports asylum seekers and refugees in the Netherlands:

Website: Contact | Vluchtelingenwerk.nl
Email: info@vluchtelingenwerk.nl
Phone: +31 20 346 72 00

Please note that COC Nederland and the Dutch Council for Refugees cannot help with travel arrangements to the Netherlands and are not responsible for any financial or legal matters related to your journey. You must organize this yourself.

There are several trusted international organizations that can provide reports and summaries about LGBTI rights in various countries, as well as international law.

1) The International Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Trans and Intersex Association’s website allows you to search by country: https://ilga.org/civi_details

2) Human Rights Watch has information about different countries that you can search. Go to the bottom of the homepage to “Browse by Region”: http://www.hrw.org/

3) Amnesty International allows you to search for human rights information by both country and topic on the right side of their homepage: http://amnesty.org/

4) The Outright International provides information by country: https://outrightinternational.org/where-we-work

COC Nederland does not have the capacity to help with asylum applications, as we do not employ asylum lawyers.

For legal support, we recommend contacting the Dutch Council for Refugees. They support asylum seekers and refugees throughout the Netherlands. You can find a list of their local offices here: ttps://www.vluchtelingenwerk.nl/en/locations

If you cannot reach a local office, you can contact their head office:

Website: Contact | Vluchtelingenwerk.nl
Email: info@vluchtelingenwerk.nl
Phone: +31 20 346 72 00

Please contact GZA as soon as possible. You can make an appointment by calling 088-1122112, or visit a walk-in consultancy.
Find the address and opening hours on the GZA website.

If GZA mental health support is not available, you can contact Choices Support Center. They offer a mental health helpline with professionals who speak several languages. Visit the Choices website for more information.

Are you experiencing suicidal thoughts? Please call the hotline 113. You can also use the chat on the 113 website. This service is available in Dutch and English.

We’re sorry to hear that you’re experiencing health issues. To get medical care, please contact a GZA doctor. GZA has health centres at most COA locations.

You can make an appointment by calling the GZA Hotline: 088-1122112.
You can also visit a walk-in consultancy. Find the address and opening hours on the GZA website

More information is also available on MyCOA

We’re sorry to hear that you are without shelter. We understand how difficult this must be.

You can contact an organization that supports undocumented migrants to help you find a safe place to stay. You can find an overview on the stichting los website.

You can also try to find shelter at a Salvation Army location. The Salvation Army is a Christian organization that welcomes the LGBTI+ community.

We’re sorry to hear that you’re facing difficulties. Every COA location should be a safe space for everyone. No one should experience abuse or discrimination.

If you have experienced such a situation, please contact COA staff immediately. They are trained to handle different types of conflict.

You are allowed to report abuse or discrimination. Doing so will not affect your asylum procedure.

You can speak to any staff member you trust, or ask for an appointment at the information desk (infobalie). Visit MyCOA to check the opening hours of the desk at your location.

If COA cannot help, please contact us again so we can support you in finding a solution.

To learn more about the asylum procedure in the Netherlands, visit the IND website: Apply for asylum in the Netherlands | IND

You can also visit Refugee Help, which offers up-to-date information about the asylum process, housing, and work.

If you have more questions, you can contact the Dutch Council for Refugees, a human rights organization that supports asylum seekers and refugees in the Netherlands:

Website: Contact | Vluchtelingenwerk.nl
Email: info@vluchtelingenwerk.nl
Phone: +31 20 346 72 00

Please note that COC Nederland and the Dutch Council for Refugees cannot help with travel arrangements to the Netherlands and are not responsible for any financial or legal matters related to your journey. You must organize this yourself.

If you want to live, work, or study in the Netherlands, you may need a residence permit. The type of permit depends on your personal situation. You can find detailed information on the website of the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND): Residency in the Netherlands | IND.

Please note that COC Nederland and the IND cannot help you with visa sponsorship, financial arrangements, or financial support. You will need to arrange these yourself.

Welcome to the Netherlands! We’re glad to hear that you want to connect with the LGBTIQ+ community.

Please take a look at our social initiatives to learn more about Cocktail, a social group for LGBTIQ+ newcomers. You can also find activities near you.

If you reply to our email with the name of the town or city where you currently live, we will connect you with one of our local Cocktail groups.

We look forward to hearing from you and helping you feel at home.

We’re sorry to hear that you’re feeling unsafe. The best way to find support is to contact a local LGBTIQ+ organization in your country. You can search for one on Civi Details – ILGA World, a global directory of LGBTIQ+ organizations.