Residence permit for child under 18

These requirements apply to you and your child:

• Your minor child meets the general requirements that apply to everyone.
• Your child is under 18.
• Your child has not started a family of their own.
• Your child belongs to your family and was also part of your family abroad.
• Your child will live with you in the Netherlands. You register your child at your address.
• You have Dutch nationality or a valid Dutch residence permit.
  • Do you now have residency as a family member? And does the person you stay with (sponsor) have a civic integration obligation? Then you must have lived in the Netherlands for at least 1 year with a valid residence permit.
  • Do you have a residence permit for exchange (au pair, cultural exchange or Working Holiday), work experience or seasonal work? Then you cannot bring your child to the Netherlands.
• You meet the income requirements.
• You are your child's guardian. Find out more about parental responsibility and guardianship on government.nl.
• Is the other parent still in the country of origin? And does that parent also have parental responsibility for the child? That parent has to sign a declaration of consent. In this way, the other parent gives permission for your child to leave for the Netherlands.
• You declare that you are the sponsor for your child. The sponsor is the person who brings a child to the Netherlands.

TB test

Did you indicate at the time of the application that your child will take a TB (tuberculosis) test? Then make an appointment with the public health service (in Dutch: Gemeenschappelijke Gezondheidsdienst or GGD). Do this within 3 months after your child has received their residence permit. Take with you to the appointment: 

Working with the residence permit

It says on the back of your child's residence permit whether your child is allowed to work. This 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 has the same work rights as you. Do you need a TWV to work? Then your child also needs a TWV. If you are not allowed to work, then your child is also not allowed to work. 

In the following situations, your child will have different work rights to you:

• You have a residence permit as a highly skilled migrant, researcher or are the holder of a European Blue Card. Your child is free to work. Your child's residence document says Arbeid vrij toegestaan. TWV niet vereist. (Free to work. Work permit not required.)
• You have a residence permit for study. Your child is not allowed to work. Your child's residence document says 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. Visit Rijksoverheid.nl for more information about part-time jobs, holiday work and internships for young people (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 a private sponsor.   

The IND checks whether you meet your obligations. If you do not, you may get an administrative fine. 

Validity of residence permit

The period of validity of your 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 is the same as the end date of your residence permit. 

Are you Dutch or do you have a permanent residence permit? Then your child's residence permit is valid for 5 years.

Type of residence permit

The residence permit is type I, temporary regular residence permit.

Other applications

Replacement of the residence permit

Has your child's residence permit been damaged, lost or stolen? Then have the residence permit replaced. Visit the web page residence permit damaged or change details or residence permit lost or stolen.

Extend the residence permit 

Will your child's residence permit expire soon? Then you can extend their 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 their residence permit to the residence permit on independent humanitarian non-temporary grounds. 

Permanent residence permit

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

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