The much stricter regulations restricting family reunifications have brought about a spectacular drop in the total number of incoming Turks and Moroccans. the total number of requests for staying in the Netherlands have dropped from 41,000 in 2004 to 23,000 last year.
The drop is due to the new integration exam, the raising of the age of the "import bride" from 18 to 21 and the demands that the partner earn at least 120% of the minimum wage. The expectation is that the total number of family reunifications will continue to drop, according to the Dutch immigration service. The demand of an integration exam now means especially that only those with higher education have an opportunity to make it.
The number of asylum seekers has also dropped considerably, from 44,000 in 2000 to 13,000 last year.
Source: Telegraaf (Dutch)
