"or lose their residency permit" .. this is insane .... I agree that 3 years given should be enough for the people to learn Dutch .. but otherwise losing the permit is something wierdo!!!!

By MehulS | November 15, 2011 8:28 AM

There is this joke in America about the national debt problem where one says to an immigrant or a new baby: welcome to the world, you are now $8000 in debt. The Dutch again seem to have quite a twisted sense of humor on this point.

By Robert | November 15, 2011 10:59 AM

If they fail the exam and are sent back to their low-income countries earning, say, 150 USD a month, how will they pay us (tax payers) back?

By Leon | November 15, 2011 11:56 AM

There is no better way to get integrated into Dutch society than by racking up a 10,000 euro debt in your first week.

By Craig | November 15, 2011 1:52 PM

Well I haven't passed yet, Mehut despite all the money I've spent on lessons. By these rules, I should have been kicked out of the country by now, separated from my spouse. Regardless of whether I've been a law-obeying, tax paying resident here since 2005.

I never considered my friends' immigrant parents unworthy of living in Canada because of their limited English. They were hardworking, good parents and good citizens.

By CW | November 15, 2011 4:12 PM

Personal I think the whole thing is crazy. It is now only a small percentage of people involved in this. EU are excluded, which now includes Turkey. Expats, who can live here for up to 10 years are excluded. So now you will have a very small group that is integrated and in debt. Is this how they are going to make money to pay the Turkish people back that took the course and didn't have to?

By Lynn | November 15, 2011 4:15 PM

funny but true comment Craig. i think this will greatly reduce the highly skilled expat attraction to this country. i agree with integration courses but some of the costs and consequences that are coming out regarding this stuff is really stupid and certainly not very well thought through.

By Bill | November 15, 2011 5:12 PM

Really Robert? You do realize that the $8000 becomes the debt of America NOT the immigrants or illegal aliens living in the US? They all get free medical care and have less to worry about than natural born American citizens. And what happens when the immigrants rack up 10,000 euro debt in the Netherlands and can not pay it back? Does the Dutch government give them free housing, food stamps and free medical care too? Do they write it off as an unfortunate loss and send the immigrant back home?

By Phil | November 15, 2011 7:02 PM

Where do I go to sign up for this?? Im desperate to live in Zutphen!!

By Howard de Barfield | November 15, 2011 7:17 PM