Through the lens: The spiraling costs of residency permits in the Netherlands

These stairs at the Maastricht Gemeente Loket in Randwijck are undoubtedly a familiar sight to any expatriates who have visited the municipal offices to sort out residence permits, work permits, or visas.

In recent years, the Dutch government has not made these matters easy.

In 2002, a revised immigration policy drastically increased the fees for residence permit applicants, especially those from non-EU countries.

Last month, it became the law that applicants for resident permits are required to pass not only a Dutch language test, but also a civil examination that tests their willingness to accept the values of Dutch society.

By Maxine Chan