Verlenging naturalisatietermijnen

Reactie

Vraag1

As a highly skilled migrant professional in Artificial Intelligence, I chose the Netherlands four years ago after careful consideration of several offers and visa options. At that time, I also had an offer from an American company I had worked with for 1.5 years, and I was eligible for Australia’s 347 Highly Skilled Visa.

I ultimately chose the Netherlands mainly because of its reputation for stability, openness, and a clear five-year path to citizenship for highly skilled professionals. For me as an Iranian, citizenship is not merely symbolic — it is essential for my professional growth. With my current passport I face severe travel restrictions, which limits participation in international conferences, client meetings, and cross-border projects. A Dutch passport would enable me to represent my company and my expertise on a global level.

The recent proposal to extend the naturalisation period to ten years has caused significant stress and uncertainty. I was planning to buy a home and build my future here, but now I feel insecure about whether I truly belong or can plan long-term in this country.

This policy would not only disrupt professional plans but also have a real emotional and psychological impact on many of us who have already invested years in integrating, working, and contributing to Dutch society under the existing rules.