
On or after January 1, 2016, legalization by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs will no longer be required in order for Dutch authorities to accept supporting immigration application documents issued in certain countries, according to a recent policy amendment.
Documents issued in one of the following countries will no longer require legalization at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
- Benin
- Burma/Myanmar
- Burkina Faso
- Cambodia
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Republic of Congo
- Djibouti
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Haiti
- Ivory Coast
- Cameroon
- Kenya
- Laos
- Mali
- Niger
- Pakistan
- Palau
- Philippines
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Sri Lanka
- Togo
- Turkmenistan
- Uganda
- Vietnam
- South Sudan
Documents issued in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Dominican Republic and Nigeria have been exempt from the requirement since 2013.
What This Means for Foreign Nationals
Documents that must be legalized for the purposes of an immigration application in the Netherlands must only be legalized by a foreign affairs ministry in the applicant’s home country if the document was issued in one of the above countries.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected]
Explore more at Fragomen
Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper explains the impact of wage‑weighted selection on H‑1B registration and compliance.
Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh highlights how recent H-1B changes are shaping employer compliance strategies.
Media mentions
Practice Leader Colm Collins explains that processing delays, shifting demand in information and communication technology (ICT) and renewal cycles contributed to last year’s drop in work permit approvals.
Media mentions
Partner Rick Lamanna examines current pressures on Canada’s immigration system, including processing delays, reduced admissions and policy uncertainty and the implications for applicants and employers.
Blog post
Manager Mihaela Dumitru outlines how Swiss authorities assess Employer of Record and body-leasing models, highlighting key compliance risks, licensing requirements and a regulatory update affecting EU and EFTA nationals effective 1 January 2026.

Media mentions
Partner Karolina Schiffter discusses how courts in Poland are reinforcing timely processing and constitutional protections for foreigners.
Blog post
Immigration Manager Alice Heron examines Ireland’s updated employment permit salary thresholds taking effect in March 2026, including the reintroduction of graduate-specific Minimum Annual Remuneration bands and what these changes mean for employers planning graduate recruitment in 2026 and 2027.
Media mentions
Partner Jill Bloom explains how the new wage-based H-1B selection rule may influence hiring decisions and prompt employers to reassess workforce planning and explore alternative visa options.
Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh discusses how companies are rethinking their H-1B strategies amid evolving policies.
Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper explains the impact of wage‑weighted selection on H‑1B registration and compliance.
Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh highlights how recent H-1B changes are shaping employer compliance strategies.
Media mentions
Practice Leader Colm Collins explains that processing delays, shifting demand in information and communication technology (ICT) and renewal cycles contributed to last year’s drop in work permit approvals.
Media mentions
Partner Rick Lamanna examines current pressures on Canada’s immigration system, including processing delays, reduced admissions and policy uncertainty and the implications for applicants and employers.
Blog post
Manager Mihaela Dumitru outlines how Swiss authorities assess Employer of Record and body-leasing models, highlighting key compliance risks, licensing requirements and a regulatory update affecting EU and EFTA nationals effective 1 January 2026.

Media mentions
Partner Karolina Schiffter discusses how courts in Poland are reinforcing timely processing and constitutional protections for foreigners.
Blog post
Immigration Manager Alice Heron examines Ireland’s updated employment permit salary thresholds taking effect in March 2026, including the reintroduction of graduate-specific Minimum Annual Remuneration bands and what these changes mean for employers planning graduate recruitment in 2026 and 2027.
Media mentions
Partner Jill Bloom explains how the new wage-based H-1B selection rule may influence hiring decisions and prompt employers to reassess workforce planning and explore alternative visa options.
Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh discusses how companies are rethinking their H-1B strategies amid evolving policies.



