Family reunification
Requirements
For family reunification these requirements apply to you and your family member:
- You have received a decision from the IND stating that you will receive an asylum residence permit. You have to apply for family reunification within 3 months after you have received this decision. This is the family reunification period. You apply for the residence permit and visa (MVV) at the same time for your family member. This visa is called a provisional residence permit (in Dutch: machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf or MVV).
- You can only submit this application for the following family members:
- Your husband or wife;
- Your partner;
- Your child or foster child;
- Your parents if you were unaccompanied and under 18 when you submitted your asylum application.
- Your family member is part of your family and was already part of your family abroad.
- Are you applying for the MVV for your partner, husband or wife? Then both of you must be aged 18 or older.
- Your family member has not committed an offense or crime.
- You declare that you are the sponsor for your family member. The sponsor is the person who brings the family member to the Netherlands.
- Is there a parent who stays behind in the country of origin? And does that parent have custody of the child? Then, that parent has to sign a permission statement. With it, the parent gives permission for child´s departure to the Netherlands.
- You must prove the identity of your family member and the family relationship with documents.
Process
The application process for the residence permit consists of the following steps:
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1. Check requirements open minusMake sure you meet the requirements.
This application is only for family members of a refugee. This means that only holders of asylum residence permits can submit this application for family members.
Does your family member not meet the requirements? Find out if you meet the requirements for a different residence permit for residence as a family member.
Do you want to apply for an MVV for other family members, for example your brothers or sisters? Then use the application form for a provisional residence permit, Article 8 ECHR.
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2. Collect documents open minusThe application forms lists which documents you need. You send copies of the documents with your application. Once the IND has received your application, you will receive a
letter (confirmation of receipt). An appendix is enclosed with this confirmation that you must use to send the original documents. It is therefore important for these documents already to be available in the Netherlands.Read which documents are required for your application as an adult applicant and as an underage applicant.
Have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.
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1. Apply open minus
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3. Apply open minusThe IND prefers that you submit the application for your family member. You apply for the MVV and the residence permit at the same time. You can apply online or by post.
Your family member may also apply themselves at the Dutch embassy or consulate abroad.
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4. Pay for the application open minusThe application is free of charge.
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5. Wait for the decision on the application open minusThe IND must take a decision within 9 months.
We can extend the decision period if it takes longer to decide. For example, because the application is not complete. In that case, the IND will send a message.
Does your family member have no, or not enough documents? Then the IND may carry out more investigation. For example, a DNA test or an interview with you and with your family member. Is more investigation needed? Then, you will receive a letter.
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6. Decision on the application open minusYou will receive the decision in a letter. The decision will be positive or negative.
- Positive decision: your family member will get an MVV.
- Negative decision: your family member will not get an MVV. You can object against this decision.
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7. Make appointment for MVV visa sticker and travel to the Netherlands open minusYour family member can travel to the Netherlands with the MVV.
Make appointment within 3 months of decision
Your family member has to make an appointment at the Dutch representation. This is the embassy or consulate that you filled in on the application form. Your partner has to make the appointment within 3 months after the IND has taken a decision on your application. This can be extended to 6 months.
Biometrics
Your family member must provide biometric data during the appointment at the Dutch representation. Your family member will put a signature and the Dutch representation will take fingerprints. Your family member also needs to bring 1 new passport photo. Go to netherlandsworldwide.nl for information on requirements for ID photos.
Valid passport required
Your family member's passport must be valid for at least another 6 months when the Dutch representation places the MVV visa sticker in the passport. The MVV is valid for 90 days.
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8. Registration in the Netherlands open minusYour family member must travel to the Netherlands within 90 days. After arriving in the Netherlands, your family member reports within 3 days to the IND for registration at the IND. This is only possible by appointment.
Process registration of family members of refugees
The registration process at the IND desk takes 1 day. During the registration, the following happens:
- The IND checks your family member’s identity, MVV and passport or laissez-passer details.
- Your family member has provided their photo, signature and fingerprints at the Dutch representation. The IND checks if these data are correct. Sometimes your family member must have their data taken again.
- Your family member receives the decision from the IND. Is the residence permit (residence document) ready? Then your family member also receives this immediately.
- Your family member will receive a letter with an appointment at the municipality. With this your family member can have their personal details registered in the Personal Records Database (in Dutch: Basisregistratie Personen or BRP) at the town council later.
- Your family member will have to do a tuberculosis (TB) test if necessary. This test will take place at the reception of the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (in Dutch: Centraal Orgaan opvang asielzoekers or COA). Is this not possible or is your family member not staying in a reception centre? Then your family member must make an appointment for a TB test at the public health service (in Dutch: Gemeentelijke Gezondheidsdienst or GGD). It depends on your family member’s nationality whether a TB test is required. Read the following appendix to see if your family member does not need the TB test:
Receiving the residence permit
During the registration at the IND, your family member receives the residence permit. Is this not ready yet? Then your family member will receive a letter when the residence permit is ready to collect at an IND desk. You must make an appointment to collect it.
Application forms
You can submit this application online. You must have DigiD with SMS verification and internet banking (iDEAL).
Online Application for a 'Regular Provisional Residence permit - persons making a journey in connection with family reunification with an asylum seeker'
Written application forms
Appointment family reunification of refugees IND
Your family member must travel to the Netherlands within 90 days after collecting the MVV. After arriving in the Netherlands, your family member reports within 3 days to the IND. Registration is by appointment only.
Arrange reception COA
Do you live in a reception centre from COA or NIDOS? Or you live in a place of residence that is not suitable for all of your family members to live in? Then you need to ask the COA for reception for your family member. You do this by e-mail. Your contact person from VWN can help you with this. Ask for reception after the journey for your family member has been booked, but before they depart to the Netherlands.
Asking COA for reception by e-mail
This is how you ask the COA for reception for your family member:
- Send an e-mail to the COA in which you ask for reception for your family member. Send the e-mail to this e-mail address: FMMZZevenaarDuiven@coa.nl.
- Put the following details in the e-mail:
- Your first and surname, your telephone number and e-mail address (or VWN’s e-mail address).
- The first names and surnames of all your traveling family members.
- The V-number of all your traveling family members.
- Date of arrival in the Netherlands of your traveling family members. This is also the day your family members will need reception for the first time.
- Within 2 working days you will receive a confirmation email from the COA saying where your reception is.
Appointment with the IND
Did you send an e-mail to the COA for reception? The COA will then make an appointment for you at the IND. You do not have to make an appointment yourself.
Make an appointment at IND
Important information when making the appointment
- Only make an appointment if you have a suitable place of residence for all your family members. Do you not have a suitable place of residence? The COA will then make an appointment for you.
- Only make an appointment after booking your family members’ journey to the Netherlands, but before their departure to the Netherlands.
- Make an appointment for all family members who need to register at the IND. Fill out their V-numbers and first names and surnames.
- Fill out your e-mail address or the e-mail address of your counsellor from VWN.
Cancelling appointment
What if the appointment made cannot go through? For example, because your family member arrives in the Netherlands later than planned? Then cancel the appointment via the link in the e-mail confirming your appointment. As soon as this is possible, make a new appointment for your family member.
The residence permit
Find out what else you need to know about the residence permit:
Your family member will receive a derivative residence permit
Your family member will receive a derivative asylum residence permit. This means that the residence of your family member depends on your asylum residence permit. The IND can withdraw your family member’s residence permit if there is no longer a family relationship with you. For example, if your family member is a child who will go and live on their own within a year.
Your family member can apply for an independent asylum residence permit
Your family member may also apply for asylum in the Netherlands on their own. The IND then assesses whether your family member has a right to an independent asylum residence permit.
Working with the residence permit
Your family member may work in the Netherlands with a temporary derivative residence permit. Their employer does not need a work permit (in Dutch: tewerkstellingsvergunning or TWV). On the back of the residence permit it says ‘Free to work. Work permit is not required (in Dutch: Arbeid vrij toegestaan. TWV niet vereist).
Legal obligations
A sponsor has an obligation to provide information and an administrative obligation. Your family member has an obligation to provide information. Read more about the legal obligations of the sponsor for a family member and the foreign national’s obligation to provide information.
The IND checks whether you meet your obligations. Are you violating your obligations? You then may get an administrative fine.
Validity of the residence permit
Your family member’s residence permit is valid for 5 years.
Type of residence permit
The residence permit is type III, temporary asylum residence permit.
Other applications
Replacement of the residence permit
Has your family member’s residence permit been damaged, lost or stolen? Then, have the residence permit replaced. Go to the page residence permit damaged or change of personal details or residence permit lost or stolen.
Extend the residence permit
Will your family member’s residence permit expire soon? Then, your family member can extend the residence permit
Permanent residence permit
Has your family member had a residence permit for 5 years? Then, your family member can apply for a permanent residence permit.