Learning the language isn’t the issue, learning the language well enough to pass a test when classes cost nearly €2k a pop is the issue.

Learning the language to a conversational level as someone who speaks English is exceptionally hard. As soon as a Dutch person hears the accent, they switch to speaking English. Therefore you need very expensive classes to properly learn the vocabulary you’re expected to know for the test. We can stay here forever on our current visa, but I’d rather be a proper resident and be able to take advantage of the entire job market. I’d be happy to pay the money if the Netherlands would let me have a Dutch and American passport. Pre-COVID I didn’t really care, but post-COVID, having a passport to get to my sick family and be guaranteed re-entrance to the US is very important.