Residence with your minor Dutch child (Chavez)

These requirements apply to you and your child:

• You are the parent of a minor Dutch child (your child is under 18 years old). You may also be the step-parent, foster parent or NIDOS-appointed foster parent of the child.
• You are not a danger to public order and safety.
• You do not have the nationality of a European Union (EU) or EEA Member State or Switzerland: you are a non-EU parent. Nor do you have lawful residence in any of these countries.
• You have a valid passport or other travel document with which you can prove your identity.
• You care for your child and are responsible for their upbringing. You may do so together with your child’s other parent. If you only help with your child’s care and upbringing now and then, this is not sufficient.
• Your child is heavily dependent on you. This means that if you do not obtain a residence document, your child will have no choice but to leave the EU together with you.
• Your child lives in the Netherlands and is registered in the Personal Records Database (in Dutch: Basisregistratie Personen or BRP). This is the population register of the municipality where your child lives.

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• 1. Check requirements open minus

  A valid provisional residence permit (MVV) is needed for this application

  Make sure you meet the requirements.
   

• 1. Check requirements open minus

  Make sure you meet the requirements.

• 2. Collect documents open minus

  The application form lists which documents you need. Collect all documents before you apply. 

  Have official documents from abroad legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.

• 2. Collect documents open minus

  The application form lists which documents you need. Collect all documents before you apply.

  Have official documents from abroad legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.

• 3. Travel to the Netherlands open minus

  Go to the Visa Advisor of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and see if you need a visa for the Netherlands. 

  Visa needed

  First apply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for visa facilitation. State in the visa application that you want to live with your Dutch child who is a minor, in the Netherlands.

  No visa needed

  To travel to the Netherlands, you need these documents.

  • A valid passport or other travel document.
  • Documents proving that you are the parent of your minor Dutch child. For example, their birth certificate, deed of recognition or adoption papers.
• 4. Apply open minus

  Download the application form, complete it in writing and send it by post.

• 5. Pay for application open minus

  The application costs € 69,00. For an explanation see the web page about Fees: application costs.

  After we have received your application, you will get a letter telling you how you can pay.

• 6. Wait for decision on your application open minus

  You may wait in the Netherlands for the decision.

  You will get a letter stating whether you may work during the application process. You can show this letter to employers. The letter temporarily replaces the residence sticker in your passport.

  Follow your application in My IND.

• 7. Decision on application open minus

  You will receive the decision in a letter. The decision will be positive or negative.

  • Positive decision: you will get a residence document.
  • Negative decision: you will not get a residence document. You can object against this decision. 
• 8. Collect residence document open minus

  When the residence document is ready at an IND desk, you will receive a letter. You must make an appointment to collect it. Make an appointment to collect your residence document. 

Working with your residence document

You are free to work in the Netherlands. Your employer does not need a work permit (in Dutch: tewerkstellingsvergunning or TWV). On the back of your residence it says in Dutch Arbeid vrij toegestaan, TWV niet vereist (Free to work. Work permit not required).

Other applications

Replace residence document

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

Renew residence document

Will your residence document expire soon? Then you can renew the residence document. Please use the form:

Application for a residence document as a caring parent of a minor Dutch child 6550 (PDF, 331.11 KB)

Not possible to obtain permanent residency or get Dutch citizenship

You cannot get permanent residency with a residence document for residence with a minor Dutch child. Nor can you get Dutch citizenship.

 Has your child turned 18 and do you want to stay in the Netherlands? Then see if you meet the requirements for a different residence permit.

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