Residence permit for child under 18
Requirements
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 have a residence permit and do you have a civic integration obligation in the Netherlands? Then you must have lived in the Netherlands for at least 1 year with a valid residence permit, before you can bring your child to the Netherlands. This does not apply if it is not in the best interests of the child to wait 1 year.
- 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.
Process and costs
These are the steps in the application process for the residence permit:
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1. Check requirements open minusA valid provisional residence permit (MVV) is needed for this application
Make sure you meet the requirements.
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1. Check requirements open minusMake sure you meet the requirements.
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2. Collect documents open minusThe written application form lists which documents you need. Collect all documents before you apply. You can upload the documents in the online application.
Have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.
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2. Collect documents open minusThe written application form lists which documents you need. Collect all documents before you apply. You can upload the documents in the online application.
Have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.
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3. Apply open minusYou apply for the MVV and the residence permit at the same time. You submit this application online or in writing by post.
Your child may also apply on their own at the Dutch representation abroad.
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3. Apply open minusYou can submit this application online or in writing by post.
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4. Pay for application open minusThe application costs € 81,00. For all fees and exceptions, visit our web page Fees: application costs.
When you apply online, you pay the costs (fees) immediately with iDEAL internet banking. Are you applying in writing? Then you will receive a letter which explains how you can pay.
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4. Pay for application open minusThe application costs € 81,00. For all fees and exceptions, visit our web page Fees: application costs.
When you apply online, you pay the costs (fees) immediately with iDEAL internet banking. Are you applying in writing? Then you will receive a letter which explains how you can pay.
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5. Wait for decision on application open minusThe IND must take a decision within 90 days. This is called the decision period.
Do you have an asylum residence permit and are you applying for family reunification with a family member? The legal decision period for this application is 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 you a letter.
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5. Wait for decision on application open minusThe IND must take a decision within 90 days. This is called the decision period.
Do you have an asylum residence permit and are you applying for family reunification with a family member? The legal decision period for this application is 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 you a letter.
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6. Decision on application open minusYou will receive the decision in a letter. The decision will be positive or negative.
- Positive decision: The child will get an MVV and a residence permit.
- Negative decision: The child will not get an MVV or a residence permit. You can object to this decision.
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6. Decision on application open minusYou will receive the decision in a letter. The decision will be positive or negative.
- Positive decision: The child will get a residence permit.
- Negative decision: The child will not get a residence permit. You can object to this decision.
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7. Make appointment for MVV visa sticker and travel to the Netherlands open minusThe child can travel to the Netherlands with the MVV.
Make appointment within 3 months of decision
The child will have to make an appointment at the Dutch representation. This is the embassy or consulate that you filled in on the application form. The child has to make the appointment within 3 months after the IND has taken a decision on your application.
Biometrics
The child must provide biometric data during the appointment at the Dutch representation. The child will put a signature and the Dutch representation will take fingerprints. The child also needs to bring 1 new passport photo. Go to netherlandsworldwide.nl for information on requirements for ID photos.
Valid passport required
The child'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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7. Collect residence permit open minusWhen the residence permit is ready at an IND desk, you will receive a letter. You must make an appointment to collect it. Make an appointment to collect the residence document.
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8. Collect residence permit open minusWhen the residence permit is ready at an IND desk, you will receive a letter. You must make an appointment to collect it. Make an appointment to collect the residence document.
Application forms
You can submit this application online. You must have DigiD with SMS verification and internet banking (iDEAL).
Online application form child under 18
Written application forms
Online application form child under 18
Written application forms
The residence permit
Find out what else you need to know about the residence permit.
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.