When will the IND start with my application for family reunification?

When the IND starts with your application depends on the date of your application. And it depends on the family members for whom you applied for family reunification. Many applicants for family reunification are currently awaiting a decision. The IND can decide more quickly on applications from some family members. Because the IND can decide more quickly on applications that require less investigation, we divide the applications into groups. This way, we can start assessing applications faster.  It also makes the estimate of when it will be your turn more accurate.

1.    Family reunification applications on which the IND decides more quickly

The IND will process the following applications more quickly:

1. You have only applied for family reunification for your partner together with your biological children under the age of 18. Your biological children were under 18 years on the day you entered the Netherlands.
2. You were single and under the age of 18 when you applied for asylum. You have applied for family reunification for the following family members:
   • Your both parents, without other family members.
   • Your both parents together with biological brothers and/or sisters under the age of 18. Your siblings were under 18 years of age on the day you applied for family reunification.

In most cases, the IND does not need to conduct any additional investigation for these applications. This is because the identity and family relationship can be quickly established with documents.

Waiting time for family reunification applications on which the IND decides more quickly

The table below this paragraph shows your waiting time. Find the month of your application for family reunification in the first column. The second column shows when the IND expects to start with your application.

Example of calculating the waiting time for a application for family reunification 

You submitted your application for family reunification in November 2024. The IND processes your application in January 2026. Has this month passed and have you not yet received a letter? Then you can call the IND. Following this example, you can call the IND by February 2026.

2.    Other family reunification applications

You do not fall into the first group and have applied for family reunification for the following family members:

• Your child over 18.
• Your foster or adopted child.
• Your partner without children.
• Your biological child under 18 without other family members. For example, because your partner is staying behind.
• Your brother and/or sister without your parents.
• Only one parent, without other family members.
• Other family members.

The IND often has to investigate the family relationship more thoroughly for these applications. Because this takes more time, it will take longer before we can decide on your application.

Waiting time other family members

The table below this paragraph shows your average waiting time. Find the month of your application for family reunification in the first column. The second column shows when the IND expects to start with your application.

Example of calculating the waiting time for a application for family reunification 

You submitted your application for family reunification in October 2024. The IND processes your application in November 2027. Has this month passed and have you not yet received a letter? Then you can call the IND. Following this example, you can call the IND by December 2027.

It is possible that someone who applied for family reunification after you will be processed before you. The time the IND takes to make a decision is different for each application. The following factors may affect your waiting time: 

• The IND can decide quicker when the applications are complete. An application is complete if we have received all the documents needed to establish the identity and family ties (relationship) with your family members.
• It is possible that further investigation may be necessary during the processing of the application. For example, if identity documents or other documents needed to establish the family relationship are missing. In that case, the IND may conduct a DNA test or an interview with you and your family member.
• In exceptional cases, we process applications that are urgent due to special circumstances sooner. For example, in the case of serious medical problems affecting a family member.