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Family

We all want to live with our family around us. Every year, many people apply to have their partner, child, or other family member come to the Netherlands. We assess whether these relatives are allowed to stay in the Netherlands.

Having family come over

An important part of the IND’s job is to process applications from people who would like to bring a family member to the Netherlands. A Dutch citizen may have met their partner on holiday and they now want to live together in the Netherlands. We receive many applications from parents who want to bring their child who is under 18 to the Netherlands. And many asylum seekers living in the Netherlands wish to have their family members come and live with them.

This is how we work

We assess every application for a residence permit with great care. We always investigate whether applicants meet the requirements. We do this with the help of the documents they have submitted, among other things. We check the birth or marriage certificate, for example. And we check whether someone has an income and has passed the civic integration exam.

Experiences applicants

Experiences applicants

Taking good care of staff is not a luxury

Evelien, staff adviser Human Resources (HR)

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Important topics

Explanation of the asylum application acceptance rate

If the Netherlands approves an asylum seeker's initial application, this is formally referred to as ‘approval’. The IND regularly receives questions about approvals and the so-called acceptance rate. Sometimes, this rate is also the subject of…

Our story

We are dedicated and committed to our shared duty: deciding who is admitted to the Netherlands. It is a people-focused job that requires a human touch, and we do it as carefully, fairly, properly and promptly as possible. Our public duty comes with…

Background information about our work

More about our areas of work

Economy

Coming to the Netherlands for a great job or interesting studies. Find out more about the application process.

Asylum

Those who have had to flee from persecution or violence can apply for asylum in the Netherlands.

Naturalisation

Becoming Dutch officially and then applying for a passport. Find out more about naturalisation or option.