Waiting for an IND decision can be stressful, especially when it feels like the process is taking too long.

But before you send anything to the IND or take the next step, you first need to answer one basic question:

Has the official IND decision period actually passed?

This article explains where to find your IND decision period, what to check before assuming the IND is late, and what to do if the deadline is close or already passed.

What is the IND decision period?

The IND decision period is the time the IND has to make a decision on your application, request, or objection.

This period is not the same for every case. It depends on the type of application and your situation.

For example, one person may have a 90-day decision period, while another person may have a 6-month decision period. That is why you should not rely only on what someone else wrote in a Facebook group or forum.

Your own IND letter, My IND account, or the official IND page for your application type is usually the best place to check.

Where can you find your IND decision period?

Start with the documents and pages connected to your own case.

Check these places:

  • your IND confirmation of receipt letter
  • My IND
  • your application confirmation
  • any later IND letter about extra documents or an extension
  • the official IND page for your type of application

Look for words such as:

  • decision period
  • beslistermijn
  • statutory decision period
  • wettelijke beslistermijn
  • the IND will decide within
  • the IND must decide before

If you received a letter from the IND, read it carefully. The date or time period in that letter matters more than general information online.

Check whether the IND extended the decision period

Before deciding that the IND is late, check whether the IND sent you a letter extending the decision period.

The IND may extend the decision period in some situations, for example if they need more time or if they asked you for extra documents.

If there was an official extension, do not use only the original deadline. You need to include the extension when checking whether the IND is late.

Example:

If the original deadline was 1 June, but the IND officially extended the period by 4 weeks, the IND may not be late on 2 June. The new deadline may be later.

Check whether you already received a final decision

This article is about cases where the IND has not made a decision yet.

That is different from a situation where:

  • the IND rejected your application
  • the IND approved your application but you disagree with something
  • you want to object against a decision
  • you already received a decision and want to appeal it

If you already received a final decision, your next step may be objection or appeal against the decision itself. That is a different process.

If your application is still open and the decision period has passed, then you may be dealing with an IND late-decision situation.

If the deadline has not passed yet

If the decision period has not passed yet, the IND is usually still within its allowed time.

That means you should not send a notice of default yet.

But if the deadline is close, it is smart to prepare. You can already check what the next step would be if the IND still has not decided after the deadline passes.

This helps you avoid losing extra time later.

Recommended next article:

Form 9001 / Ingebrekestelling: What It Is and When to Send It

If the deadline has passed

If the decision period has passed, including any official extension, and you still have no decision, the IND may be late.

At that point, the next step is usually to look into Form 9001, also called a notice of default or ingebrekestelling.

This article does not explain the full Form 9001 process. For that, read:

Form 9001 / Ingebrekestelling: What It Is and When to Send It

Quick self-check

Ask yourself:

  1. Did I submit an IND application, request, or objection?
  2. Did I receive confirmation from the IND?
  3. Does the confirmation letter or My IND show a decision period?
  4. Did the IND send an extension letter?
  5. Has the original or extended decision period passed?
  6. Is the case still open with no final decision?

If the answer to questions 5 and 6 is yes, your case may fit an IND late-decision situation.

If the deadline is close but has not passed yet, do not rush. Use the time to understand the next step.

Common confusion: “It feels late” vs. “It is officially late”

Many IND cases feel slow. That does not always mean the IND is officially late.

The important question is not only:

How long have I been waiting?

The better question is:

Has the official decision period for my case passed, including any extension?

That is the date you should focus on.

Bottom line

To check whether your IND decision is late, start with your own IND confirmation letter, My IND account, and any later letters from the IND.

If the decision period has not passed yet, wait — but prepare.

If the decision period has passed and there is still no decision, your next step may be Form 9001 / notice of default.

If you already sent Form 9001 and the IND still has not decided after the required waiting period, a late-decision appeal may be relevant.

Next steps

Read next:

Form 9001 / Ingebrekestelling: What It Is and When to Send It

Or use our free checklist:

Before You File an IND Delay Appeal — Free Checklist

The checklist helps you see whether your situation may fit the late-decision appeal process before using a full step-by-step guide.

This article is for general information only. It is not legal advice and does not replace advice from an immigration lawyer or legal professional.