Legal obligations private sponsor

The obligation to provide information means that you must inform the IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service) about changes to your family member's situation, or about changes in your relationship with your family member.

Which information

During the procedure
This is before your family member has collected the regular provisional residence permit (MVV). Or before your family member collects the residence permit, if he or she doesn't need an MVV. You must report changes that influence the IND's decision. For example:

• When your relationship has ended.
• When your income drops below the standard amount.
• If you become unemployed or unfit/incapacitated for work.
• If you change employers.

After having collected the mvv or residence permit
You report any changes that may affect the right of residence of your family member. For example:

• When you or your family member has applied for social welfare benefits.
• When you and your family member no longer live together.
• When the relationship has ended.
• When your family member has left the Netherlands.

How

MVV not yet collected
Immediately report a change to the IND, by letter.

MVV or residence permit collected
Report a change to the IND within 4 weeks. Please use the notification form for family members and relatives. Is your change not indicated on the reporting form? In that case, please explain the change in a separate letter. Send this letter to the IND, enclosed with the reporting form.

Are you going to move house in the Netherlands? Or is your family member moving abroad? If you have notified the municipality (BRP) on time that you or your family member are going to emigrate or move house within the Netherlands, it is not necessary to also report this to the IND. On time means either before the emigration or within 4 weeks following the relocation. The IND will then already have this information.

Why
The change may mean that your family member no longer meets the conditions for his or her residence permit. The IND could then revoke your family member's MVV or residence permit.

You are obliged to retain information about your family member. You must retain a few important documents that you used when you applied for your family member's residence permit. The retention period is 5 years after you are no longer a private sponsor.

For your spouse or partner, you must retain:

• The legalised marriage certificate or the legalised unmarried status declaration from your partner.
• The documents that indicate that you have sufficient, long-term and independent means of support.

For your minor child, you must retain:

• The legalised birth certificate.
• The legalised documents that indicate that you or your partner have custody of your child.

For your adopted child, you must retain:

• The document that proves the child's identity.
• The legalised documents that indicate that the biological parents have waived their parental rights.
• The legalised document, indicating approval from the authorities in the country of origin, showing that the adopted child may become part of your family.

For your foster child, you must retain:

• The legalised documents that indicate the legal family relationship between you and your foster child.
• The legalised documents from which the approval from the parent(s) or legal representative(s) and, if required, the authorities in the country of origin, is evident, stating that the foster child may live with your family.
• The documents that indicate that you have sufficient, long-term and independent means of support.
• The legalised documents that indicate that the authority over the foster child rests with you.

The IND monitors your compliance with these legal obligations. When you do not meet these legal obligations you can get a warning or an administrative fine. Is your family member removed from the Netherlands by the Dutch government? The IND may oblige you to pay the cost of this compulsory departure.