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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

‘It's not always about being legally right. You also need to do right by the people involved.'

Diederick, corporate lawyer

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Important topics

The Reception and Preparation for Asylum Applications (OVA)

The IND will be responsible for the domestic screening and registration of asylum seekers at the Ter Apel reception centre, as soon as the European Asylum and Migration Pact comes into force on 12 June 2026. This new and additional task for the IND…

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…

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.