Residence with your minor Dutch child (Chavez)
Requirements
These requirements apply to you:
- 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. Nor do you have lawful residence in any of these countries.
- You have a valid passport or other travel document with which you can show your identity.
- The Dutch child under 18 already lives in the Netherlands or is going to live with you in the Netherlands.
Additional requirements for parent of a Dutch child under 18
Are you the parent of a Dutch child under 18 (a minor)? Then the following requirements also apply:
- 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 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.
Additional requirements for parent of a Dutch child under 18
Do you have another non-Dutch child under 18 (a minor)? And this is a (half)brother or (half)sister of your Dutch child under 18? Then the following requirements also apply:
- The (half)brother or (half)sister is going to live with you and your Dutch child under 18 in the Netherlands.
- The (half)brother or (half)sister is part of your family.
- The (half)brother or (half)sister is your biological child. Or your child by law.
- You have custody of the (half)brother or (half)sister. Read more about parental responsibility on Rijksoverheid.nl.
- Is there a parent of the (half)brother or (half)sister who is staying behind in the country of origin? And does that parent have custody? Then that parent needs to give permission for the departure of the (half)brother or (half)sister to the Netherlands. Sometimes permission is also required from the government of the country of origin. For example, if this is laid down by law in the country of origin. Or, if the parents or legal representatives have died or cannot be found.
- You take care of the (half)brother or (half)sister and are responsible for their upbringing.
- One of the following situations applies to you:
- You have a residence permit EU as a caring parent of a Dutch child under 18.
- You have a facilitation visa. With this visa, you may apply in the Netherlands as a caring parent of a Dutch child under 18.
- You have another valid Dutch residence permit
- The (half)brother or (half)sister strongly depends on you. This means that if the (half)brother or (half)sister does not get a residence document, you and your Dutch child under 18 have no choice but to leave the European Union (EU) together with the (half)brother or (half)sister.
Process and costs
The process for the application for the residence document consists of these steps:
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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 application form lists which documents you need. Collect all documents before you apply.
Have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.
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2. Collect documents open minusThe application form lists which documents you need. Collect all documents before you apply.
Have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.
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3. Travel to the Netherlands open minusGo to the Visa Advisor on Netherlandsworldwide.nl and check 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.
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4. Apply open minusDownload the application form, complete it in writing and send it by post.
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5. Pay for application open minusThe application costs € 81,00. For all fees and exceptions, visit our web page Fees: application costs.
After we have received your application, you will get a letter telling you how you can pay.
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6. Wait for decision on application open minusThe IND must make a decision within 6 months. This is called the decision period. 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.
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7. Decision on application open minusYou 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.
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8. Collect residence document open minusWhen 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.
Application forms
Download the correct written application form.
Written application forms
The residence document
What else you need to know about 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).
Validity residence document
The period of validity of the residence document is usually 5 years. Your residence document will expire sooner in the following situations:
- You are the parent of a minor Dutch child: your residence document expires on the day your Dutch child turns 18
- You are the (half) brother/(half) sister of a minor Dutch child: your residence document expires on the day that the Dutch child or you yourself turn 18.
Type of residence document
The residence document is type Family members EU/EEA, residence document for family members of Community nationals.
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 for the parent or for the (half) brother or (half) sister:
You have to pay for the application. Find out what amount you have to pay on the web page Fees: application costs (under 'Costs residence permit: Family'). After you have submitted the application, you will receive a letter explaining how you can pay
De aanvraag kost geld. Kijk voor het bedrag dat u moet betalen op de pagina Leges: kosten van een aanvraag.Dan krijgt u een brief waarin staat hoe u kunt betalen.
Permanent residence permit
Have you had a residence document as a family member of a minor Dutch child for at least 5 years? Then you may be able to apply for a permanent residence permit. Does your decision regarding your Chavez permit state that you have temporary residence? You are still able to apply for the permanent residence permit. The IND knows that your stay is non-temporary according to EU rules.
End of residency when the minor Dutch child turns 18
Has the Dutch child or the (half)brother or (half)sister of the Dutch child turned 18? Then the right of residence of you or the (half) brother / (half) sister ends automatically. Do you want to stay in the Netherlands after the right of residence has expired? Then check if you meet the requirements for a different residence permit.