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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

Important topics

Medical examination in the asylum process

The IND assesses whether someone who applies for asylum has the right to stay in the Netherlands. A medical examination is almost always part of this asylum process. But exactly which examinations are there, and in which situations is such an…

Penalties and the IND

If someone applies for residency in the Netherlands, the IND must decide on this application within a certain period. This is the legal decision period. If the IND does not decide within this legal period, we may have to pay a sum of money to the…

National security

The IND is on the alert for risks and threats to national security when assessing applications for residency. For example terrorism. The IND can also take measures that help to protect national security.

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.