Asylum family reunification — partner

You can only apply for family reunification for the following family members: Your partner, to whom you are legally married.

Family relationship Your family member is part of your family. Your family member was also part of your family before you entered the Netherlands.

Do you want to apply for family reunification for other family members? Then you have to apply for residence under article 8 of the EHCR.

This application is only for family reunification. You can only submit this application for your family members if you have an asylum residence permit.

Asylum residence permit You have received your asylum residence permit from the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND).

Declaration sponsor You declare that you are a sponsor for your family member in the application form. The sponsor is the person who brings the family member to the Netherlands.

You can get an asylum residence permit for 2 reasons: Refugee: you are a refugee under the Geneva Convention. You are personally at risk of persecution in your country. For example, because of your race, religion or political opinion. Subsidiary protection: you fled for another reason. For example, because of war.

An original means of evidence showing your marriage. For example a marriage certificate.

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.

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.

Do you have subsidiary protection? Then 3 additional requirements will apply: You must have sufficient independent, long-term income. This means your income is high enough and you receive it for a long enough period. And that you pay taxes and contributions on the income. You must have housing. A waiting period of 2 years applies.

This starts from the date of the decision granting you an asylum residence permit and continues until the IND makes a decision on your application for family reunification.

Do you have a refugee status? Then you have to apply for family reunification within 3 months after you have received your asylum residence permit.

The IND prefers that you submit the application for your family member. You apply for the MVV and the residence permit at the same time. You can apply online or by post. Your family member may also apply themselves at the Dutch embassy or consulate abroad.

The IND must take a decision within 9 months.

Your family member has to collect the MVV within 3 months after the IND has taken a decision on your application.

Your family member must travel to the Netherlands within 90 days. After arriving in the Netherlands, your family member reports within 3 days to the IND for registration at the IND.

Your family member will receive a derivative asylum residence permit. This means that the residence of your family member depends on your asylum residence permit. The IND can withdraw your family member’s residence permit if there is no longer a family relationship with you.

Your family member may also apply for asylum in the Netherlands on their own. The IND then assesses whether your family member has a right to an independent asylum residence permit.

Your family member may work in the Netherlands with a temporary derivative residence permit. Their employer does not need a work permit

Your family member’s residence document is valid for a maximum of 3 years. This depends on your residence document.

You were 18 years or older when you applied for asylum. Are you applying for your married partner or biological or adopted child? Then the application is free.