Residence permit for foster child

Last update: 12 January 2024

To be able to live with you in the Netherlands, your foreign foster child needs a residence permit. Find out what the requirements are and how to apply for the residence permit.

Requirements

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  • Your foster child was already part of your family in its country of origin

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  • Your foster child was in its country of origin not yet part of your family

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Process and costs

The following requirements apply to you and your foster child:

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Application forms

Download the right form. Fill in the form and send the application by post.

The residence permit

Other things you need to know about the residence permit:

TB test

Did you write down at the time of the application that your foster child will take a 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 appointment:

Working with the residence permit

It says on the back of your foster child’s residence permit whether the child may work. Whether or not the child may work depends on your work rights:

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

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

  • You have a residence permit as a highly skilled migrant, researcher, or you are the holder of a European Blue Card. Your foster child is free to work. Your foster child’s residence document reads in Dutch Arbeid vrij toegestaan. TWV niet vereist. (Free to work. Work permit not required.)
  • You have a residence permit for study. Your foster child is not allowed to work. Your foster 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 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. What if you do not? Then you can get an administrative fine.  

Validity of the residence permit

The period of validity of your foster child’s residence permit depends on your situation. Do you have a temporary residence permit? Then the end date of your foster 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? Your foster child’s residence permit is valid for 5 years.

Other applications

Replacement of residence permit

Has the residence permit been damaged, lost or stolen? Then have the residence permit replaced. Go to the web page residence permit damaged or change of personal details or residence permit lost or stolen.

Extend residence permit

Will your foster child’s residence permit expire soon? Then you can extend the residence permit.

Apply for a different residence permit

Has your foster child had a residence permit for 1 year for residence as a family member or relative? Then you can change their residence permit to the residence permit on independent humanitarian non-temporary grounds

Permanent residence permit

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