# Getting your foreign diploma evaluated (IDW) > What is a diploma evaluation, when is it free, how do you apply (also with papers in Dari or Farsi) and what if your profession is regulated? Published on 2026-09-24, last checked against official sources on 2026-09-24. URL: https://taalpro.nl/en/guides/foreign-diploma-evaluation/ ## In short - You get a foreign diploma evaluated at IDW (Internationale Diplomawaardering), the desk of Nuffic and SBB: you receive advice on which Dutch level of education your diploma compares to. - For most people doing civic integration, a diploma evaluation at IDW is free once, but only as long as you do not yet have your civic integration diploma; so apply early in your civic integration. - You apply for a diploma evaluation in Mijn IDW on idw.nl with scans of your diploma and your transcript(s); IDW currently mentions about 16 weeks if your application is complete in one go. - For a regulated profession such as doctor, nurse or teacher, a diploma evaluation is not enough: you need recognition, in healthcare via the BIG register and for teachers at DUO. Did you get a diploma in Afghanistan, Iran or another country? A **diploma evaluation** shows which Dutch level of education your diploma compares to. This mainly helps when you look for work. You apply at **IDW** (Internationale Diplomawaardering), the desk of Nuffic and SBB. ## What is a diploma evaluation? - An **advice** on the level of your diploma. You receive a PDF in Dutch, digitally signed. - It is **not** permission to work in a particular profession and **not** a right to be admitted to a study programme. Work experience is not included. - It is **not compulsory**. An employer may ask for it. - Want to check for free first? Nuffic has an overview of education systems with common diplomas, including from **Afghanistan** and **Iran**. If your diploma is listed, you can show that to an employer. ## Free or paid? - **Free once** if you became obliged to integrate on or after 1 January 2015, if you are applying for naturalisation, or if you have applied for a permanent residence permit. This is only possible as long as you do not yet have your civic integration diploma. **So apply early in your civic integration.** - Do you receive a UWV benefit? Ask your contact person: if UWV agrees, UWV pays. - Otherwise an evaluation costs **€ 148.83** (including VAT, as of September 2026). - Planning to study? Then you often do not need it: most universities of applied sciences and universities get free advice on your diploma themselves. ## How to apply 1. Go to [idw.nl](https://idw.nl/) and choose your route: **Werken** (work), **Studeren** (study) or **Inburgering** (civic integration). 2. Create an account in **Mijn IDW**. It is only available in Dutch and English. 3. Upload clear colour scans of your **diploma and your transcript(s)**, and of your passport, ID card or residence permit (valid for at least 3 more months). For the free civic integration route, also upload DUO's letter about your civic integration obligation. 4. Paid route: you receive a payment link. Processing only starts after payment. Good to know: - **Documents in Dari or Farsi?** For the paid route you need a **sworn translation**. For the free route (civic integration, naturalisation, permanent residence) you do not. If your school gave you an English version, you also do not need a translation. - **One diploma per application.** Do not upload apostille stamps. - **Iranian diploma:** upload colour copies of all documents. For a *karshenasi napeyvasteh* bachelor's, also your *kardani* diploma with transcript. ## How long does it take? IDW currently mentions **about 16 weeks** if your application is complete in one go. If something is missing, your application goes back to the end of the queue after you add it. Priority is not possible. So upload everything at once. The PDF stays in your account for 3 years: download it and keep it safe. ## No papers, or not all of them? Did you flee and cannot safely request documents? Apply anyway: IDW checks what is possible with what you do have. If you have no documents at all, say so in your application. In the civic integration route, IDW can sometimes make an **Indicatie Onderwijsniveau (ION)**: an estimate based on your own statements. An employer or school decides whether that is enough. ## Regulated profession? Then you need recognition For professions such as doctor, nurse, teacher, lawyer or interpreter, a diploma evaluation is not enough. First check in the European Commission's database whether your profession is regulated in the Netherlands. It also lists which authority assesses your application. - **Healthcare:** via the BIG register (procedure *Verklaring van vakbekwaamheid*). You do not need to have your diploma evaluated by IDW yourself first: the BIG register arranges that. You need a language certificate in **Dutch** and also one in **English** (reading), except for care assistants (verzorgende IG). Expect 6 to 18 months. Read the guide [Working in healthcare](https://taalpro.nl/en/guides/working-in-healthcare-dutch-big/). - **Teacher:** recognition at DUO. For primary and special education you need, among other things, Dutch at **B2**, for example the State Exam NT2 Program II diploma. ## Studying in Dutch Universities of applied sciences and universities decide on admission themselves. With a foreign diploma they may ask for proof that you know enough Dutch; for HBO and university that is usually the **State Exam NT2 Program II (B2)**. Read [Studying in Dutch](https://taalpro.nl/en/guides/studying-in-dutch/) and prepare with the [B2 course](https://taalpro.nl/en/courses/b2-state-exam-nt2-program-2/). Tip: at DUO you can also apply for a Dutch title free of charge (such as ir., drs. or mr.) if your programme is equivalent. That is not the same as a diploma evaluation. ## Sources - IDW: https://idw.nl/ - IDW: https://idw.nl/inburgering/ - IDW: https://idw.nl/verplichte-documenten/ - IDW: https://idw.nl/veelgestelde-vragen/ - IDW: https://idw.nl/langere-behandeltermijn-diplomawaardering/ - Nuffic: https://www.nuffic.nl/studeren-en-werken-in-nederland/werken-in-nederland-met-een-buitenlands-diploma - BIG-register: https://www.bigregister.nl/buitenlands-diploma/procedures/verklaring-vakbekwaamheid - DUO: https://duo.nl/particulier/buitenlands-diploma-in-nederland/werken-als-leraar.jsp - DUO: https://www.duo.nl/particulier/staatsexamen-nt2/hoe-het-staatsexamen-nt2-werkt.jsp --- Source: TaalPro, online institute for Dutch as a second language (https://taalpro.nl/en/guides/foreign-diploma-evaluation/). Rules can change: the official websites (DUO, IND, CvTE) always take precedence.