Ukrainian refugees in the Netherlands will be required to have a sticker in their passports showing they have the right to live and work here from September 1, and six locations where a proof of residency can be picked up opened their doors on Monday.

The six locations in Assen, Nieuwegein, Amsterdam, Deventer, Rijswijk and Den Bosch are not yet running at full capacity, and many Ukrainians have told broadcaster NOS that they have not yet been able to make an appointment.

The immigration service IND has admitted there are long waiting lists because of a shortage of staff, and said it is now trying to recruit more personnel.

The sticker will entitle people to live and work in the Netherlands up to March 4, 2023 at least. However, the IND told NOS that people who do not have the required sticker by September will not face sanctions.

So far some 5,000 permits have been issued since trials of the system started in June. Some 65,000 Ukrainian nationals are thought to have fled the fighting and come to the Netherlands.

Third country nationals

Last week the government announced that people from other countries, who were in Ukraine and have come to the Netherlands because of the war, will no longer be entitled to live here and claim financial support.

The ruling will not be applied retroactively, which means third country nationals from Ukraine who came to the Netherlands before July 19 will be allowed to stay until March 4 next year.

The government said it was making the change to the regulations because of signs that the system is being abused.