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Child under 18

You wish to have your child live with you in the Netherlands. Your child needs a residence permit to live in the Netherlands. What are the conditions for this residence permit? And how does the application procedure work?

​Other conditions apply to persons with the nationality of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland and their family members.

Conditions

There are certain conditions that apply to everyone. In addition, you and your child have to meet the following conditions:

  • Your child is under 18.
  • Your child has not started a family of his own.
  • Your child is part of your family household and was also part of your family household abroad. In the following situations, the family relationship is considered to be broken:
    • Your minor child is living independently and financially provide for his own maintenance.
    • Your minor child is a private, independent family because he/ she marries a partner or start a relationship
    • Your minor child has the care or duty of care for an (illegitimate) child or other dependent family members and there is one of the above two situations.
  • Your child is going to live with you in the Netherlands. You register your child as living at the same address as you are.

  • One of the following situations applies to you:

      • You are a Dutch citizen.
      • You live in the Netherlands and have a residence permit for a non-temporary purpose of stay.
      • You live in the Netherlands with a residence permit for:
        • study
        • orientation year highly educated persons
        • cross border service provider
        • intra Corporate Transferees
        • stay with a family member, if the family member you are staying with is here for a temporary purpose of stay
        • temporary asylum
        • medical treatment
        • awaiting a decision on a request to establish Dutch citizenship (Art. 17 RWN)
        • temporary humanitarian grounds (except stay as a unaccompanied minor foreign national)
        • foreign investor

  • You live in the Netherlands with a valid residence permit for at least 1 year already. This condition does not apply if:

      • You and your minor child both live abroad and travel to the Netherlands together.
      • admission of the family member is in the interests of minor children.
      • You already live in the Netherlands and have a temporary residence permit for:
        • study
        • orientation year highly educated persons
        • intra Corporate Transferees
        • stay as a highly skilled migrant
        • holder of a European Blue Card
        • scientific researcher under Directive 2005/71/EC or researcher under Directive (EU) 2016/801
        • paid employment
        • self employed person
        • cross border service provider
        • temporary asylum
        • employment as non-privileged military or non-military civilian staff (NATO)
        • awaiting a decision on a request to establish Dutch citizenship (Art. 17 RWN),  
        • medical treatment
        • temporary humanitarian grounds (except stay as a unaccompanied minor foreign national)
        • foreign investor
        • stay under the Association Treaty between the European Union and Turkey (1/80)
        • stay on the basis of the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty or the Dutch-Japanese Trade Agreement

  • You have an independent sufficient and sustainable income.

  • You have custody of your child.
  • Is there a parent staying behind in the country of origin and who also has custody of your child? That parent then has to sign a declaration of consent. In this declaration the parent consents to the child leaving to go to the Netherlands.
  • You declare that you are the sponsor of your child.

Other conditions may apply for Turkish nationals and their family members.

Apply online

You can submit this application online. For the online application you need:

Do you not have DigiD yet? Apply for DigiD on www.digid.nl. Do have DigiD, but not have identity check with sms yet? Activate this through MijnDigiD.

Help with logging in with DigiD + sms and DigiD app

  • Information on DigiD + sms: go to explanation on DigiD for more information in different language (Dutch, English, French and Arabic).

  • Information on DigiD app: go to explanation DigiD app for more information (Dutch and English).

You can start the online application by clicking the button Apply online.

Apply online

Costs

This application costs € 57. 

Checklist documents

The application form lists the documents that you have to enclose with the application.

You have to have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German. 

 

Steps in the application procedure

1. Submit application and payment

To travel to the Netherlands, your child needs a provisional residence permit (mvv). The mvv is a sticker that the Dutch representation places in the passport. In some cases, your child does not need an mvv.

You apply for the mvv and the residence permit at the same time. This can be done in 2 ways:

  • You, being the parent, apply to the IND in the Netherlands.

    Online

    Your partner can submit this application online. He needs to have DigiD with SMS code. Your partner pays the costs (fees) of the application immediately. For this he uses iDEAL. You can start the online application by clicking the button Online application. You can find this button on this page or under Application forms and costs.
    By mail
    Do you not want to use the online application? Or are you unable to? Then you can submit the application by mail. You will find the application form on this page under Application forms and costs. Click download form. Your partner sends the application form and the documents required to the IND by post. After the application has been received, the IND sends a letter stating how the fees are to be paid.

  • Your child applies to the Dutch representation in his own country or the country of continuous residence.

    The legal representative submits the application to the Dutch representation together with your child. The Dutch representation forwards the application to the IND. After you have submitted the application, you will get a letter from the Dutch representation stating how the fees are to be paid. For the application form and information on how to apply and how to pay the fees, please contact the Dutch representation.

The IND recommends you, being the parent, to start the application in the Netherlands. This helps save your child travel costs for the journey to the Dutch representation.

​2. Receipt and check application

You will get a confirmation letter once the IND has received your application. The confirmation letter states the date the IND has received the application. It also states the period within which the IND makes a decision.

The IND will then check to see if your application is complete and that the fees have been paid. Are documents missing, or are documents not correct? In that case, the IND will send you a letter: a request to rectify the omission. This letter lists the documents that you still needs to send. Send the requested documents before the mentioned date to the IND.

3. Decision

The IND checks whether you and your child meet all the conditions required for the residence permit. The IND has to make a decision within a period of 90 days.

  • Negative decision
    If you or your child do not meet the conditions, your child will not get an mvv and a residence permit. This decision is given in the form of a letter: the formal decision. The IND sends the decision to you. You can register an objection against this decision.
  • Positive decision
    If you and your child meet all the conditions, your child will get an mvv and a residence permit. You receive a letter about this decision. The IND also informs the Dutch representation.

​4. Collect mvv

Your child can now collect the mvv, together with his legal representative, from the Dutch representation. This is the Dutch representation that you filled in on the application form, or where your child has submitted the application form.

Your child must collect the mvv within 3 months of receiving the letter with the decision. Please make an appointment for this with the representation. The letter states which documents your child must bring to the appointment. For example, the representation wants to see an original legalised birth certificate.

The passport of your child must be valid for at least 6 months on the day the mvv is issued.

Did you apply to the IND in the Netherlands? Your child then has to provide biometric information upon collecting the mvv.

5. Travel to the Netherlands

​Once your child has collected the mvv, he can travel to the Netherlands. The mvv is valid for 90 days. The validity is shown on the mvv sticker. The mvv sticker shows 2 dates:

  • Effective date: as of this date the mvv is valid.
  • End date: as of this date the mvv is no longer valid.

The mvv allows your child to travel within the Schengen Area.

Steps in the application procedure

1. Submit application and payment

​Your child does not need a visa to travel to the Netherlands. You can apply for a residence permit directly.

Submitting the application can be done in 2 ways:

  • You, being the parent, apply to the IND in the Netherlands. 

    Online
    Your partner can submit this application online. He needs to have DigiD with SMS code. Your partner pays the costs (fees) of the application immediately. For this he uses iDEAL. You can start the online application by clicking the button Online application. You can find this button on this page or under Application forms and costs.
    By mail
    Do you not want to use the online application? Or are you unable to? Then you can submit the application by mail. You will find the application form on this page under Application forms and costs. Click download form. Your partner sends the application form and the documents required to the IND by post. After the application has been received, the IND sends a letter stating how the fees are to be paid.

    Is your child already in the Netherlands? Within 2 weeks after receiving this letter, your child has to provide biometric information at an IND Desk. Is your child still abroad? After arriving in the Netherlands he has to provide biometric information as soon as possible. Please make an appointment online to provide biometric information.

  • Your child applies to the IND in the Netherlands.

    Your child applies for the residence permit to the IND. This is only possible if your child is at least 12 years old. Please use the application form. The form is at the bottom of this page. You send the application form and the documents required to the IND by post. After the application has been received, the IND sends a letter stating how the fees are to be paid. Within 2 weeks after receiving this letter, your child must provide biometric information at an IND Desk. Please make an appointment online.

​2. Receipt and check application

You will get a confirmation letter once the IND has received your application. The confirmation letter states the date the IND has received the application. It also states the period within which the IND makes a decision.

The IND will then check to see if your application is complete and that the fees have been paid. Are documents missing, or are documents not correct? In that case, the IND will send you a letter: a request to rectify the omission. This letter lists the documents that you still need to send. Send the requested documents before the mentioned date to the IND.

3. Decision

​The IND checks whether you and your child meet all the conditions required for the residence permit. The IND has to make a decision within a period of 90 days.

  • Negative decision
    If you or your child do not meet the conditions, your child will not get a residence permit. This decision is given in the formal decision. You can register an objection against this decision.
  • Positive decision
    If you and your child meet all the conditions, your child will get a residence permit. You will receive a letter from the IND to collect the residence permit together with your child.

Is your child still abroad? Upon arrival in the Netherlands, your child has to go to an IND desk to provide biometric information.

Application forms and costs
Application for a residence permit with the purpose of residence being ‘family members and relatives’ (sponsor)7518

Use this form if you start the application for your child.

Checklist documents

The application form lists the documents that you have to enclose with the application. 

You have to have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.

How to send documents to the IND:

  • You only send copies of your documents, single-sided and on A4 paper.
  • The copies must be complete and legible.
  • Write down your V-number or client number on each copy. If you do not know these numbers, then please write your name and date of birth on each copy.
  • Do not send USB sticks, CDs or DVDs.
  • You keep the original documents yourself. You have to show these documents to the Dutch representation abroad.

Costs application

This application costs € 57.

  • Is your child from San Marino or Israel? Based on the Benelux Treaty you do not pay for the application.
  • Is your child the family member of NATO personnel or personnel of TRON? You do not pay for the application.
  • Does your child have the Turkish nationality? Or are you a Turkish national and do you have the right to work in the Netherlands? The application costs € 66.​

Download  

Application for family members of your employee via recognised sponsor7514

Your recognised employer uses this form to apply for the residence permit of your family members. Your employer can also start the application online.

Checklist documents

Your employer has a list of documents that you need.

You have to have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.

How to send documents to the IND:

  • You only send copies of your documents, single-sided and on A4 paper.
  • The copies must be complete and legible.
  • Write down your V-number or client number on each copy. If you do not know these numbers, then please write your name and date of birth on each copy.
  • Do not send USB sticks, CDs or DVDs.
  • You keep the original documents yourself. You have to show these documents to the Dutch representation abroad.

Costs application

This application costs € 171.

  • Children under 18 pay € 57.
  • Are you from San Marino or Israel? Based on the Benelux Treaty you do not pay for the application.
  • Are you a family member of NATO personnel or personnel of TRON? You do not pay for the application.
  • Do you have the Turkish nationality? Or is your partner a Turkish national and does your partner have the right to work in the Netherlands? Your application costs € 66. ​

Apply online  Download  

Application forms and costs
Application for a residence permit with the purpose of residence being ‘family members and relatives’ (sponsor)7518

Use this form if you start the application for your child.

Checklist documents

The application form lists the documents that you have to enclose with the application. 

You have to have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.

How to send documents to the IND:

  • You only send copies of your documents, single-sided and on A4 paper.
  • The copies must be complete and legible.
  • Write down your V-number or client number on each copy. If you do not know these numbers, then please write your name and date of birth on each copy.
  • Do not send USB sticks, CDs or DVDs.
  • You keep the original documents yourself. You have to show these documents to the Dutch representation abroad.

Costs application

This application costs € 57.

  • Is your child the family member of NATO personnel or personnel of TRON? You do not pay for the application.
  • Does your child have the Turkish nationality? Or are you a Turkish national and do you have the right to work in the Netherlands? The application costs € 57.

Download  

Application for a residence permit with the purpose of residence ‘family and relatives’ (foreign national)7525

Use this form if your child starts the application.

Checklist documents

The application form lists the documents that you have to enclose with the application. 

You have to have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.

How to send documents to the IND:

  • You only send copies of your documents, single-sided and on A4 paper.
  • The copies must be complete and legible.
  • Write down your V-number or client number on each copy. If you do not know these numbers, then please write your name and date of birth on each copy.
  • Do not send USB sticks, CDs or DVDs.
  • You keep the original documents yourself. You have to show these documents to the Dutch representation abroad.

Costs application

This application costs € 57.

  • Is your child the family member of NATO personnel or personnel of TRON? You do not pay for the application.
  • Does your child have the Turkish nationality? Or are you a Turkish national and do you have the right to work in the Netherlands? The application costs € 57.

Download  

Application for a residence permit for a ‘long-term third country national from outside the EU’ (sponsor)7519

Use this form if your child has the status 'long-term third country national' in another EU-country. Of if your child is a family member of a person that has the status 'long-term third country national' in another EU-country and already had a residence permit as a family member in that other country. You (sponsor) start the application.

Checklist documents

The application form lists the documents that you have to enclose with the application.

You have to have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.

How to send documents to the IND:

  • You only send copies of your documents, single-sided and on A4 paper.
  • The copies must be complete and legible.
  • Write down your V-number or client number on each copy. If you do not know these numbers, then please write your name and date of birth on each copy.
  • Do not send USB sticks, CDs or DVDs.
  • You keep the original documents yourself. You have to show these documents to the Dutch representation abroad.

Costs application

This application costs [Langdurige ingezetene die deze status heeft gekregen in een ander EU-land$zondermvvbedrag].​​

Download  

Application for a residence permit for a‘longterm third country national from outside the EU’ (foreign national)7528

Use this form if your child has the status 'long-term third country national' in another EU-country. Or if your child is a family member of a person that has the status 'long-term third country national' in another EU-country and your child already had a residence permit as a family member in that other country. 

Checklist documents

The application form lists the documents that you have to enclose with the application.

You have to have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.

How to send documents to the IND:

  • You only send copies of your documents, single-sided and on A4 paper.
  • The copies must be complete and legible.
  • Write down your V-number or client number on each copy. If you do not know these numbers, then please write your name and date of birth on each copy.
  • Do not send USB sticks, CDs or DVDs.
  • You keep the original documents yourself. You have to show these documents to the Dutch representation abroad.

Costs application

This application costs [Langdurige ingezetene die deze status heeft gekregen in een ander EU-land$zondermvvbedrag].​​

Download  

Application for family members of your employee via recognised sponsor7514

​Your recognised employer uses this form to apply for the residence permit of your family members. Your employer can also start the application online.

Checklist documents

Your employer has a list of documents that you need.

You have to have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.

How to send documents to the IND:

  • You only send copies of your documents, single-sided and on A4 paper.
  • The copies must be complete and legible.
  • Write down your V-number or client number on each copy. If you do not know these numbers, then please write your name and date of birth on each copy.
  • Do not send USB sticks, CDs or DVDs.
  • You keep the original documents yourself. You have to show these documents to the Dutch representation abroad.

Costs application

This application costs € 171.

  • Children under 18 pay € 57.
  • Are you from San Marino or Israel? Based on the Benelux Treaty you do not pay for the application.
  • Are you a family member of NATO personnel or personnel of TRON? You do not pay for the application.
  • Do you have the Turkish nationality? Or is your partner a Turkish national and does your partner have the right to work in the Netherlands? Your application costs € 66. 

Apply online  Download  

After the application

Collect the residence permit

The IND will send you a letter indicating when you and your child can collect the residence permit. For this, you have to make an appointment online at the IND desk stated in the letter. Keep in mind that it is not always possible to visit an IND desk at short notice. Therefore, please schedule an appointment in time, but at least within 4 months after having received the letter.

Check to see if the information on the residence permit is correct while you are still at the IND desk. If something is incorrect, inform the IND staff member at once. 

Registration with the municipality

​Upon arrival of your child in the Netherlands, you have to register him in the Municipal Personal Records Database (BRP) in the municipality you are going to live.

To register with the municipality, your child needs a valid legalised and translated  birth certificate. Take this therefore with you when you travel to the Netherlands.​

TB test

You have indicated your intent to undergo a tuberculosis test (TB test) when you applied. You have to make an appointment for this with the Area Health Authority (GGD). You do this within 3 months after having received your residence permit. Please take the 'TB test referral form' with you to the appointment.

In some cases you are exempt from taking a TB test.

Take out health insurance

Anyone living in the Netherlands must take out health insurance. You do this within 4 months following your arrival in the Netherlands.

Compulsory education

​Children aged 5 to 16 must attend school in the Netherlands. They have to go to school. Is your child of this age? Please then enrol your child at a school.

Validity residence permit

The validity of the residence permit depends on your situation. Do you have a temporary residence permit? Then the end date of your child's residence permit matches yours. Are you a Dutch citizen or do you have a permanent residence permit? Your child's residence permit is then valid for 5 years. 

Right to work

The back of your child's residence permit shows if he is allowed to work.

Please note! Not every child is allowed to work. From a certain age, children are allowed to have a seasonal or part-time job.

Whether your child is allowed to work depends on your work rights.

Are you a Dutch citizen? Your child's residence permit states 'arbeid vrij toegestaan. TWV niet vereist' ('work allowed free from restrictions. Work permit not required').

Do you have a residence permit? Your child gets the same work rights as your partner. Do you need a TWV to work, then your child also needs a TWV to work. Are you not allowed to work, then your child is also not allowed to work.

In the following situations your child will get other work rights as you:

  • You have a residence permit as a highly skilled migrant, scientific researcher or are holder of the European Blue Card. Your child may work freely. His residence permit states 'arbeid vrij toegestaan. TWV niet vereist' ('work allowed free from restrictions. Work permit not required').
  • You have a residence permit for study. Your child are not allowed to work. His residence permit states 'arbeid niet toegestaan' ('work not allowed'). 

Legal obligations

There are a number of legal obligations that apply to you and your child.​

The IND monitors your compliance with these legal obligations. Failure to meet these legal obligations may have consequences.

Further applications (extend or change) / return visa

Replace residence permit

Is your child's residence permit damaged, lost or stolen? In that case, have the residence permit replaced.

Extend residence permit

Is your child's residence permit due to expire soon? Apply for an extension.

Change residence permit

When your child has had a residence permit to stay with family for 1 year, you may change his residence permit for an independent residence permit.

Has something changed in your child's situation that influences his residence permit? Please report this immediately to the IND. It may mean that the residence permit has to be changed sooner.

Permanent stay

When your child has had a residence permit to stay with family for 5 years, you may apply for a permanent residence permit on his behalf.

Return visa

If your child is awaiting a procedure, he does not have a valid residence document at present and he wishes to travel outside the Netherlands, he may need a return visa to re-enter the Netherlands. This could be the case if the current residence permit is no longer valid or the current residence permit will expire during his stay outside of the Netherlands. To apply for a return visa he must meet certain conditions. 

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​Video

How do I apply for a residence permit for a family member?

How do I complete an online application?

Sponsor

​A sponsor is a person, employer or organisation that has an interest in the arrival of the foreign national in the Netherlands. A sponsor has rights, but also obligations with regard to the foreign national. The sponsor can start the application for the foreign national from the Netherlands .

DigiD with SMS code

Nowadays you can arrange many things yourself on government websites. With DigiD you log in to your personal account on government websites. Your DigiD consists of a username and password that you both choose yourself. Don't have a DigiD yet? Request this on www.digid.nl.

​To apply for a residence permit online you need to have a DigiD with SMS code. After logging in with your DigiD you will receive an SMS with a code. You will have to fill out this code as well to get access to the online application forms.

Do you have a DigiD but no SMS code verification? Please go to Mijn DigiD and log in. Choose 'Extra sms-controle aanvragen' and enter your mobile phone number. Within 5 days you receive a letter with an activation code. Activate the sms control functionality on the website of DigiD with this activation code.

Provisional residence permit (mvv)

​The provisional residence permit (mvv) is a visa you need if you wish to stay in the Netherlands for more than 90 days. For more information, check Regular provisional residence permit (mvv).

Dutch representation

​This is the Dutch embassy or consulate.

Country of continuous residence

​A country of continuous residence is a country (other than the country of origin) where you may lawfully live for more than 3 months. This means you have a valid residence permit for that country. Or that you are waiting for your application for a residence permit to be approved.

Are you in a country in your free term? Of with a visa for short stay (maximum of 3 months)? This is not continuous residence.

formal decision

​A formal letter with the decision on your application.

TWV

​A TWV is a work permit. The employer applies for a TWV with UWV (Netherlands Employees Insurance Agency). UWV examines among other things if there is no employee with the Dutch, EU/EEA or Swiss nationality that is qualified for the job.