Use your knowledge and talents
Need support with study or work? Then we can help you further. The UAF supports refugee students and professionals who want to study or work.
Welcome to the UAF
We're glad you're interested in our organization and what we can do for you! We are a foundation for refugee students, professionals, and scientists who have applied for asylum in the Netherlands. We help refugees who want to study or need further training or retraining to find work at their own level. We have years of experience in this area, and we're happy to help you get started too. We collaborate with various educational institutions, businesses, and municipalities. You can use our network, knowledge, and experience to further build your future in the Netherlands.
How can we help you?
Frequently asked questions
We focus on your question. This gives you the support you need. For example, with your studies, with finding a job that suits your talents and financially.
For more information, go to 'How can we help you'
We help you to apply for money from the government, for example student grants of lifelong learning credit. In addition, we supplement where necessary for costs you incur for your professional development. For example, tuition fees, language courses, books, computers and travel expenses. Do you want to know exactly where we can support you? Then go to for more information how can we help you?
The costs required for your professional development are paid by the UAF for you. Depending on the conditions, the UAF reimburses this, or you can pay for it yourself with a UAF Student Credit. Whether you will be reimbursed for costs depends on your personal situation.
After we have contacted you, you will receive an email with a link and a code to complete an application form. You will receive a response from us by e-mail within two weeks after you have completed and submitted your registration form.
Can you process your application for support? Then you will have access to the client portal MyUAF. Via MijnUAF you will be invited for an intake and process interview. During this conversation we assess whether we can support you. We also look at the next steps within or outside the UAF. Sometimes you may first have to make an assessment to gain insight into your talents and characteristics. Together we will see which support suits you best.
Have you been a client of the UAF before and would you like to request support again? Then contact your UAF learning path counselor. Can you still enter MyUAF? Then send a message to your counselor. Does this no longer work? Then fill in the below contact form. .
About our support
After your registration we always have a conversation with you first to determine what you want to achieve, what you need for that and whether we can support you. Then we look at how we are going to achieve that. With modules we offer exactly the support you need.
You can do several modules at the same time or one after the other. Are you done with a module? Then together we will see if you still need our support. During your trajectory at the UAF, you give substance to your plan and take the necessary steps. You keep in touch with your learning path counselor about your progress.
Important: no new applications for study assistance without a residence permit
Are you still in the asylum procedure? If so, you cannot currently apply for study support from the UAF.
Until recently, this was possible. However, the UAF has a limited budget for this, and that money has run out. Therefore, we are currently no longer accepting new applications from people without a residence permit (people who already receive support from us will continue to receive that support).
We find this very unfortunate. The UAF is looking into possibilities to be able to offer this support again in the future. If the situation changes, you can find the updates on this page.
What is possible? You can use the for free. UAF Academy. This way you can already start working on your Dutch and your future. You will also find on No residence permit (yet). information about pursuing education during the asylum procedure.
Do you have a residence permit based on asylum? Then you can simply apply for support. Nothing changes in that regard.
When can the UAF help?
Whether the UAF can help you depends on your personal situation.
Preparing to study in the Netherlands
You can apply for support from the UAF if you meet these conditions:
- You have a residence permit based on asylum. Without a residence permit, you cannot apply for support at this time.
- You want to study at MBO level 3 or 4, HBO or university.
- You have completed at least 10 years of education.
- You started with or you speak Dutch at B1 level.
Have you applied for asylum and is your application still being processed?
At this moment, we cannot (yet) support you with your studies. That is only possible once you have a residence permit. However, you can gain access to the UAF Academy. With the UAF Academy you can learn Dutch up to B1 level via self-study and take various online courses Ask access to the UAF Academy on. To make use of the UAF Academy You need Dutch or English at least at A2 level.
Do you want to study in the Netherlands with support from the UAF?
This is possible if you have at least a B1 level of Dutch proficiency (also for English-taught programs). You can receive study support from the UAF if you have a residence permit.
Have you already studied and do you want to start working right away?
Often it is necessary that you follow a training or course to practice your profession in the Netherlands. Contact the UAF to discuss what you need.
How can you register?
Please fill out the contact form below.
Contact us
Would you like advice about studying in the Netherlands? Or would you like to ask for support from the UAF? Then fill out the contact form or email your question to info@uaf.nl.
We will contact you as soon as possible. Due to the high demand for our services, it may currently take two to three weeks before you receive a response. We ask for your understanding in this matter.