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Asylum family reunification — minor child

NetherlandsFamily

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

Official link

Which family relationships qualify?

Biological or adopted children under 18 of a person holding a Dutch asylum residence permit; the child must be part of the family and must already have been part of the family before the sponsor entered the Netherlands.

See recorded sources

Who may sponsor or bring the family member, and what immigration/citizenship status must that person hold?

The sponsor must hold an asylum residence permit granted by the IND (as a refugee under the Geneva Convention or with subsidiary protection); the application is only for family members of asylum permit holders, and the sponsor declares in the application form that they are the sponsor who brings the family member to the Netherlands.

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What is important for proving marriage, partnership, parentage, custody, dependency or another qualifying relationship?

An original document proving the family relationship (for example a birth certificate) and a document showing the sponsor has parental authority over the child; originals proving family ties must already be in the Netherlands at application. A child aged 15 or older also submits the Questionnaire family relationship child (7647) and the Declaration of civil status (7609). If a parent is not coming, that parent's identity document, proof of their relationship to the child and their permission (appendix 7148, or 7649 if they cannot give it) are needed. With no or insufficient documents the IND may carry out more investigation, such as a DNA test or an interview.

See recorded sources
  • https://ind.nl/en/residence-permits/asylum/asylum-family-reunification
    An original means of evidence showing your family relationship. For example a birth certificate. A document showing you have parental authority over the child.
  • https://ind.nl/en/residence-permits/asylum/asylum-family-reunification
    The IND will need to examine some documents. These are documents that prove family ties, such as a birth certificate or marriage certificate. Therefore, it is important that your documents are already in the Netherlands when you submit your application.
  • https://ind.nl/en/residence-permits/asylum/asylum-family-reunification
    Is your child 15 years or older? Submit the following appendices: Questionnaire family relationship child 7647(PDF, 202.75 KB) Appendix Declaration of civil status 7609(PDF, 158.56 KB) Extra documents if a parent is not coming to the Netherlands with your child A copy of a supporting document showing the identity of the parent remaining behind. A supporting document showing the family relationship between the child and the parent remaining behind. For example a birth certificate. The parent must give permission for your child to travel to the Netherlands. Include the following appendix: Appendix Declaration of the parent remaining behind 7148(PDF, 164.55 KB) Is the parent unable to give permission? Include the following appendix: Appendix Statement regarding the absence of the Declaration of consent of the parent remaining behind 7649
  • https://ind.nl/en/residence-permits/asylum/asylum-family-reunification
    Does your family member have no, or not enough documents? Then the IND may carry out more investigation. For example, a DNA test or an interview with you and with your family member.

What important financial, accommodation, insurance or maintenance responsibilities apply?

If the sponsor has subsidiary protection, additional requirements apply: sufficient independent, long-term income on which taxes and contributions are paid, housing, and a 2-year waiting period counted from the asylum permit decision until the IND decides on the family reunification application. The official source does not state an insurance requirement or any support requirement for sponsors with refugee status.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • page lists income/housing only for subsidiary-protection sponsors; it is silent on insurance and on any support requirement for refugee-status sponsors

How does the application work at a high level, what rights does the family member receive, how long does the status last, and how can it become independent or longer-term where officially stated?

A sponsor with refugee status must apply within 3 months of receiving the asylum residence permit. The sponsor (preferred by the IND) applies for the MVV and residence permit at the same time, online or by post; the family member may also apply at the Dutch embassy or consulate. The IND must decide within 9 months. The family member collects the MVV within 3 months of the decision, travels within 90 days and reports to the IND within 3 days of arrival. The family member receives a derivative asylum residence permit that depends on the sponsor's permit and can be withdrawn if the family relationship ends; it allows work without a work permit and is valid for a maximum of 3 years, depending on the sponsor's document. The family member may apply on their own for an independent asylum residence permit.

See recorded sources

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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