Residence permit for partner
Watch video: How do I apply for a residence permit for a family member?
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Video title is visible in animation: How do I apply for a residence permit for a family member?
Voice-over: You would like a family member to come and live with you in the Netherlands.
Your family member needs a residence permit for this.
You can apply for one from the IND, the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service.
To travel to the Netherlands, your family member also
often needs a provisional residence permit called an MVV.
You can request the residence permit and MVV at the same time.
There are a lot of things to arrange when making an application.
So it’s very important to be well prepared. That’s why we
are going to talk you through all the necessary steps.
Step 1. Take a look at the conditions on our website www.ind.nl.
For example, your family member often has to first pass an exam about the Netherlands
and the Dutch language, called the civic integration exam, at a Dutch embassy abroad.
Step 2. Collect all the necessary documents. On our website you can
see which documents you need to submit with your application.
Start early, because sometimes this can take a long time - for example, because you need to obtain documents from abroad.
These documents often have to be officially stamped. And you need to have them translated.
Step 3. Complete the application form. You can do this online.
On our website we take you through the questions step by step.
This is often quicker and easier than completing a written application.
To submit a written application, you need to print the form and complete the application yourself.
Check your application. Before submitting your application, check whether you have filled everything in and attached all the documents.
In this way you can prevent your application from being delayed. Submit the online application with all the scanned documents on www.ind.nl.
Or post your written application by regular mail with all the accompanying photocopies and attachments.
Step 4. Pay for the application. Applying for a residence permit costs money. On our website you can see how much you need to pay.
Are you applying online? Then you will pay right away. Are you using the printed application form?
Then we will notify you a little later how much you need to pay. Step 5. Wait for a decision.
As soon as we have received your application, you will receive a confirmation letter.
This states how long the IND can take to consider your application. This is known as the decision period, which is 90 days.
The IND sometimes needs the full decision period in order to take a decision regarding your application.
We may also need you to provide additional information. If so, you will receive a letter about this.
The letter will also explain that the decision period will be extended.
Step 6. The decision. We have taken a decision. Has your application been denied?
If you do not agree, you can apply for review. Is the decision positive?
Then you will receive a letter from us to collect the residence permit or MVV.
Submit an application? Visit our website www.ind.nl.
text in animation: Submit an application? Visit ind.nl.
- Download in MP4 HD format MP4 HD | 84.2 MB
Video title is visible in animation: How do I apply for a residence permit for a family member?
Voice-over: You would like a family member to come and live with you in the Netherlands.
Your family member needs a residence permit for this.
You can apply for one from the IND, the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service.
To travel to the Netherlands, your family member also
often needs a provisional residence permit called an MVV.
You can request the residence permit and MVV at the same time.
There are a lot of things to arrange when making an application.
So it’s very important to be well prepared. That’s why we
are going to talk you through all the necessary steps.
Step 1. Take a look at the conditions on our website www.ind.nl.
For example, your family member often has to first pass an exam about the Netherlands
and the Dutch language, called the civic integration exam, at a Dutch embassy abroad.
Step 2. Collect all the necessary documents. On our website you can
see which documents you need to submit with your application.
Start early, because sometimes this can take a long time - for example, because you need to obtain documents from abroad.
These documents often have to be officially stamped. And you need to have them translated.
Step 3. Complete the application form. You can do this online.
On our website we take you through the questions step by step.
This is often quicker and easier than completing a written application.
To submit a written application, you need to print the form and complete the application yourself.
Check your application. Before submitting your application, check whether you have filled everything in and attached all the documents.
In this way you can prevent your application from being delayed. Submit the online application with all the scanned documents on www.ind.nl.
Or post your written application by regular mail with all the accompanying photocopies and attachments.
Step 4. Pay for the application. Applying for a residence permit costs money. On our website you can see how much you need to pay.
Are you applying online? Then you will pay right away. Are you using the printed application form?
Then we will notify you a little later how much you need to pay. Step 5. Wait for a decision.
As soon as we have received your application, you will receive a confirmation letter.
This states how long the IND can take to consider your application. This is known as the decision period, which is 90 days.
The IND sometimes needs the full decision period in order to take a decision regarding your application.
We may also need you to provide additional information. If so, you will receive a letter about this.
The letter will also explain that the decision period will be extended.
Step 6. The decision. We have taken a decision. Has your application been denied?
If you do not agree, you can apply for review. Is the decision positive?
Then you will receive a letter from us to collect the residence permit or MVV.
Submit an application? Visit our website www.ind.nl.
text in animation: Submit an application? Visit ind.nl.
Dutch national lived with partner in another EU country
Dutch law applies to Dutch nationals who have their partners come to the Netherlands. Other requirements may apply to Dutch nationals who have lived with their partner in another EU country. Read more about Dutch nationals and EU law.
Requirements
These requirements apply to you and your partner.
- Your partner meets the general requirements that apply to everyone.
- You have a long-term, exclusive relationship with your partner. Or you are married or in a registered partnership.
- Both of you are 21 years old or more.
Were you already married to your partner when both of you still lived abroad? And is your marriage valid under private international law? Then you are 18 years old or more. - Your partner is going to live together with you in the Netherlands. Your partner will register at your address.
- You have Dutch nationality or you have a valid Dutch residence permit.
Do you have a residence permit on non-temporary humanitarian grounds? Or a residence permit as an economically inactive long-term EU resident? Then you first need to live for at least 1 year in the Netherlands with a valid residence permit. This does not apply if you are now living abroad and are coming to the Netherlands together. Or if it is in the interest of your minor children that your partner already comes to the Netherlands now.
Do you have a residence permit for exchange, seasonal work, or to gain work experience? Then you are only staying in the Netherlands for a short time. Your partner cannot come to join you in the Netherlands. - You meet the income requirements. Do you want to know whether your income is sufficient? Take the income test.
- You declare that you are your partner’s sponsor. The sponsor is the person with whom the foreign partner will live.
- Your partner has passed the civic integration exam abroad. This is not needed if your partner does not have to take the exam. This requirement does not apply if your partner does not require a Provisional residence permit (MVV ).
Different requirements may apply to Turkish citizens and their family members.
You are a sponsor with a valid residence permit
When you have a valid Dutch residence permit, the following rules apply:
- You cannot have your partner come if you have a residence permit for one of these purposes of stay:
- Au pair
- Working Holiday
- Cultural exchange
- Work experience (intern or apprentice)
- Seasonal work
- Do you have a residence permit on non-temporary humanitarian grounds? Or a residence permit as an economically inactive long-term EU resident? Then you must have lived for at least 1 year in the Netherlands with a valid residence permit. This does not apply in the following situations:
- You are now living abroad and are coming to the Netherlands together with your partner.
- It is in the interest of your minor children that your partner already comes to the Netherlands now.
Do you have a residence permit for another purpose of stay? In that case you can have your partner come immediately.
Process and costs
These are the steps in the application process for the residence permit.
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1. Check requirements open minus -
1. Check requirements open minus -
2. Collect documents open minus -
2. Collect documents open minus -
3. Apply open minus -
3. Apply open minus -
4. Pay for application open minus -
4. Pay for application open minus -
5. Wait for decision on application open minus -
5. Wait for decision on application open minus -
6. Decision on application open minus -
6. Decision on application open minus -
7. Collect MVV and travel to the Netherlands open minus -
8. Collect residence permit open minus -
7. Collect residence permit open minus
Application forms
You can submit this application online. You must have DigiD with SMS verification and internet banking (iDEAL).
Online application form for a residence permit to stay with a spouse, registered or unmarried partner
Written application forms
Online application form for a residence permit to stay with a spouse, registered or unmarried partner
Online application form to change to a residence permit to stay with a spouse, registered or unmarried partner
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 partner will take a TB (tuberculosis) test? Then make an appointment at the Public Health Service (in Dutch: Gemeenschappelijke Gezondheidsdienst or GGD). Do this within 3 months after your partner has received their residence permit. Take with you to the appointment:
Working with the residence permit
It is stated on the back of your partner’s residence document whether your partner is allowed to work. This depends on your employment rights.
You are a Dutch national
On the back of your partner’s residence permit is stated: ‘free to work, work permit not required’ (in Dutch: arbeid vrij toegestaan. TWV niet vereist). The abbreviation TWV stands for tewerkstellingsvergunning, which means work permit in Dutch.
You have a residence permit
Your partner often has the same employment rights as you. In the following cases your partner will have different employment rights:
- Your partner is free to work if you have one of these residence permits:
- highly skilled migrant
- holder of a European Blue Card
- intra-corporate transfer
- researcher within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/801
- essential personnel start-up
- You have a residence permit for ‘work as a self-employed person’ (in Dutch: arbeid als zelfstandige). Your partner is free to work, also as a self-employed person.
- You have a residence permit for study. Your partner is not allowed to work.
- You have a single permit (in Dutch: gecombineerde vergunning voor verblijf en arbeid or GVVA) for residence and work. Your partner is only allowed to work if the employer has a TWV.
Legal obligations
A sponsor has an obligation to provide information and an obligation to keep and retain records. Your partner has an obligation to provide information. Read more about the legal obligations of a foreign national and sponsor of family member.
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 partner’s residence permit depends on your situation. Do you have a temporary residence permit? Then the end date of your partner’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 partner’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 partner’s residence permit been damaged, lost or stolen? Then apply to have the residence permit replaced. Visit the web page residence permit damaged or change of personal details or residence permit lost or stolen.
Extend the residence permit
Will your partner’s residence permit expire soon? Then your partner can apply for regular temporary residence permit extension.
Apply for a different residence permit
Does your partner want an independent residence permit? See if your partner can change their residence permit to the residence permit on humanitarian non-temporary grounds.
Permanent residence permit
Does your partner have a residence permit for 5 years for residence as a family member or relative? Then your partner can apply for a permanent residence permit.