Residence permit for minor child to stay with parent
Requirements, process and costs
These are the steps in the application process for the residence permit:
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1. Check requirements For you and your child the following requirements apply:
Dutch nationality or Dutch residence permit
You have the Dutch nationality. Or you have a valid Dutch residence permit.
Waiting period
Do you have a residence permit and a civic integration obligation (in Dutch: inburgeringsplicht) 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 in the following situations:
- It is not in the best interest of the child to wait for a year.
- The child of your foreign partner is coming to the Netherlands at the same time as your partner.
Bringing your child is not possible
Bringing your child to the Netherlands is not possible if you have one of these residence permits:
- Au pair
- Cultural exchange
- Working holiday
- Work experience
- Seasonal work
Valid passport
Your child has a valid passport, And you have a valid passport or identity card.
Your child is a minor
Your child is under 18 years of age.
Your child is part of your family
Your child is part of your family and was also part of your family while living abroad. This means that your child does not live independently and does not provide for themselves. Your child also does not have their own family. By this, we mean that the child is not married and does not live together with a partner, married or unmarried.
Is the child not your child? But the child from a previous relationship of your partner? Then the child is considered part of the family of the partner for whom you are the sponsor.
You have custody of your child
Read more information about parental custody and guardianship on Rijksoverheid.nl.
Is the child not your child, but a child from a previous relationship of your partner? Then the child is considered part of the family of the partner for whom you are the sponsor. In that case, the parent (your partner) must have custody of the child.
Consent of the parent remaining behind
Is there another parent of the child who also has custody of this child? And is that parent remaining in the country of origin? Then that parent staying behind must give consent for the child to leave for the Netherlands.
Living together
The child is going to live with you in the Netherlands. You register the child at your address.
Income
You meet the income requirements. Do you want to know if you meet the income requirements? Then take the income test.
Sponsor
You declare on the application form that you are the sponsor for the child. The sponsor is the parent who brings the child to the Netherlands.
Are you not the parent of the child? But requesting residence for a child from a previous relationship of your spouse or partner? Then your spouse or partner (the parent of the child) fills in the declaration.As a sponsor, you have duties and obligations and responsibilities.
Tuberculosis (TB) test
After coming to the Netherlands, your child will undergo a medical examination for tuberculosis (TB). Your child does not need to undergo a TB test in the following situations:
Your child has the nationality of a country listed in the Appendix:
- Your child already has a valid residence permit in the Netherlands and is applying for a different residence permit.
- Your child was born in the Netherlands and has always lived here.
- Your child had a TB examination in the Netherlands less than 6 months ago.
- Your child is coming to the Netherlands with a long-term EU resident permit. Or you have a residence permit for long-term EU residents. And your partner is living with you in the other EU country.
No danger to public order or national security
Your child does not pose a threat to public order or national security. If your child is older than 12 years, you must submit a filled in Appendix: Antecedents Certificate with the application. In this declaration, your child must indicate whether they have ever committed a criminal offense or crime.
Authorisation from partner if you are not the parent of the child
Do you want to apply for a residence permit for your foreign partner? And are you also bringing over the minor child from the previous relationship of your partner at the same time? Then you can also apply for the residence permit for the minor child on behalf of your partner. For this, you need the Appendix: Certificate of non impediment from your foreign partner.
Different requirements may sometimes apply to Turkish citizens and their family members. Read more on the page Turkish citizens and living in the Netherlands.
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1. Check requirements For you and your child the following requirements apply:
Dutch nationality or Dutch residence permit
You have the Dutch nationality. Or you have a valid Dutch residence permit.
Waiting period
Do you have a residence permit and a civic integration obligation (in Dutch: inburgeringsplicht) 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 in the following situations:
- It is not in the best interest of the child to wait for a year.
- The child of your foreign partner is coming to the Netherlands at the same time as your partner.
Bringing your child is not possible
Bringing your child to the Netherlands is not possible if you have one of these residence permits:
- Au pair
- Cultural exchange
- Working holiday
- Work experience
- Seasonal work
Valid passport
Your child has a valid passport, And you have a valid passport or identity card.
Your child is a minor
Your child is under 18 years of age.
Your child is part of your family
Your child is part of your family and was also part of your family while living abroad. This means that your child does not live independently and does not provide for themselves. Your child also does not have their own family. By this, we mean that the child is not married and does not live together with a partner, married or unmarried.
Is the child not your child? But the child from a previous relationship of your partner? Then the child is considered part of the family of the partner for whom you are the sponsor.
You have custody of your child
Read more information about parental custody and guardianship on Rijksoverheid.nl.
Is the child not your child, but a child from a previous relationship of your partner? Then the child is considered part of the family of the partner for whom you are the sponsor. In that case, the parent (your partner) must have custody of the child.
Consent of the parent remaining behind
Is there another parent of the child who also has custody of this child? And is that parent remaining in the country of origin? Then that parent staying behind must give consent for the child to leave for the Netherlands.
Living together
The child is going to live with you in the Netherlands. You register the child at your address.
Income
You meet the income requirements. Do you want to know if you meet the income requirements? Then take the income test.
Sponsor
You declare on the application form that you are the sponsor for the child. The sponsor is the parent who brings the child to the Netherlands.
Are you not the parent of the child? But requesting residence for a child from a previous relationship of your spouse or partner? Then your spouse or partner (the parent of the child) fills in the declaration.As a sponsor, you have duties and obligations and responsibilities.
No danger to public order or national security
Your child does not pose a threat to public order or national security. If your child is older than 12 years, you must submit a filled in Appendix: Antecedents Certificate with the application. In this declaration, your child must indicate whether they have ever committed a criminal offense or crime.
Authorisation from partner if you are not the parent of the child
Do you want to apply for a residence permit for your foreign partner? And are you also bringing over the minor child from the previous relationship of your partner at the same time? Then you can also apply for the residence permit for the minor child on behalf of your partner. For this, you need the Appendix: Certificate of non impediment from your foreign partner.
Different requirements may sometimes apply to Turkish citizens and their family members. Read more on the page Turkish citizens and living in the Netherlands.
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2. Collect documents Would you like to know which documents you need to submit the application? Then answer a few questions and get your document overview.
Go to questions for your document overview
Have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.
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2. Collect documents Would you like to know which documents you need to submit the application? Then answer a few questions and get your document overview.
Go to questions for your document overview
Have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.
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3. Apply You 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 You can submit this application online or in writing by post.
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4. Pay for application The application costs . 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 The application costs . 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 The 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 The 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 You 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 You 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 The 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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8. Collect residence permit When 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 minor child with parent
Written application forms
Online application form minor child with parent
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.
To apply for extension, please use the following form:
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.