Residence permit for adopted child

The following requirements apply to you and your adopted child:

• You and your adopted child meet the general requirements that apply to everyone.
• You are Dutch, a Community citizen, or you have a valid residence permit.
• You meet all of the following requirements under the Placement of Foreign Children for Adoption Act (Wobka):
  • You have obtained permission in principle from the Central Authority for International Children’s Issues of the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security (J&V). This is a statement that, according to the Ministry of J&V, you are suitable to adopt the foreign child.
  • If you have adopted the child under the Hague Adoption Convention, you have obtained a Statement of Approval from the Central Authority for International Children’s Issues (Ca IKA) of the Ministry of J&V.
  • If you have not adopted the child under the Convention, you have obtained ‘registered permission in principle’ from the Central Authority for International Children’s Issues of the Ministry of J&V. This is a statement that the Minister for Migration gives you permission to adopt your foreign adopted child into your family. The child’s personal details are listed in the document as well.
  • Your adopted child does not have a life threatening contagious or long-term physical or mental disease. This is evident from a medical statement from the child’s country of origin. 
  • The biological parents have given up the foreign child for adoption. This has been arranged in the correct manner. 
  • The authorities of the country of origin agree to the adopted child becoming part of your family.
• You can demonstrate the identity of your adopted child. What if your adopted child has no valid document allowing them to travel outside their own country, for example a passport? Then the IND will not reject the application if you can demonstrate the child’s identity in a different way.

For more general information about adoption, please visit the website of the Adoption Service Foundation, in Dutch Stichting Adoptievoorzieningen.

No adoption of family members

It is not possible to adopt a family member through an inter-country adoption procedure. For family members you therefore cannot obtain a permission in principle from the Central Authority for International Children’s Issues. Do you want to care for a foreign family member? Maybe the child can get a residence permit for foster child. 

TB test

Did you indicate at the time of the application that your adopted child will takea TB (tuberculosis) test? Then make an appointment at the Municipal Health Service (in Dutch: Gemeentelijke Gezondheidsdienst or GGD). Do this within 3 months after the child has received their residence permit. Take with you to the appointmentt: 

Does the medical statement show that the adopted child has already been tested for TB in the country of origin? Then, the TB test is not needed in the Netherlands.

Working with the residence permit

It says on the back of the residence permit whether the child is allowed to work. Whether the child is allowed to work depends on your work rights:

• Are you Dutch? Then your child’s residence permit says ‘Free to work. Work permit not required (in Dutch: Arbeid vrij toegestaan. TWV niet vereist). TWV stands for tewerkstellingsvergunning which means work permit in Dutch.
• Do you have a residence permit? Then your child will have the same work rights as you. 
• Do you need a TWV to work? Then the child will also need a TWV. 
• Are you not allowed to work? Then your child is also not allowed to work.

In the following situations the child will have different work rights from yours:

• You have a residence permit as a highly skilled migrant or researcher, or you are the holder of a European Blue Card. The child is free to work. Your child’s residence document says ‘Free to work. Work permit not required (in Dutch: Arbeid vrij toegestaan. TWV niet vereist). TWV stands for tewerkstellingsvergunning which means work permit in Dutch.
• You have a work permit for study. Your child is not allowed to work. Your child’s residence document reads in Dutch Arbeid niet toegestaan. (Work not permitted.)

Not every child is allowed to work

From a certain age, children are allowed to do holiday work or to have a part-time job. Go to Rijksoverheid.nl for more information about part-time job, holiday work and internship for young people (bijbaan, vakantiewerk en stage door jongeren) (only available in Dutch).

Legal obligations

A sponsor has an obligation to provide information and an administrative obligation. Read more about the legal obligations of the private sponsor.  

The IND checks whether you meet your obligations. What if you do not? Then you can get an administrative fine. 

Validity of the residence permit

The period of validity of your adopted child’s residence permit depends on your situation. Do you have a temporary residence permit? Then the end date of your child’s residence permit will be the same as the end date of your residence permit.

Are you Dutch or do you have a permanent residence permit? Then your adopted child’s residence permit will be valid for 5 years.

Other applications

Replacement of the residence permit

Has the 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 the child’s residence permit expire soon? Then you can Extend the residence permit.

Apply for a different residence permit

Does your child have a residence permit for 1 year for residence as a family member? Then you can change the residence permit to the residence permit on independent humanitarian non-temporary grounds. 

Permanent residence permit

Does your child had a residence permit for 5 years for residence as a relative or family member? Then you can apply for a permanent residence permit for your child.

Becoming a Dutch citizen

Sometimes your adopted child is a Dutch citizen by operation of law. By operation of law means that the adopted child automatically acquires Dutch nationality. Read more about Dutch citizenship by birth, acknowledgement or adoption. 

Is your adopted child not a Dutch citizen by operation of law? Then the adopted child can only apply for Dutch nationality together with you or the other parent. Is your adopted child aged 18 or older? Then your child can apply for Dutch nationality on their own. 

• Living in the Netherlands
• Travelling with a residence permit and a return visa