+91 93273 48650
+91 93273 48650

Our Services

Visa & Immigration

Netherlands Family Reunification Visa

The Netherlands Family Reunification Visa allows the spouse, registered partner, or minor children of a sponsor legally residing in the Netherlands (a Dutch citizen or a foreign national with a valid Dutch residence permit) to join them. Family members apply for a provisional residence permit, the MVV (Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf), at the Dutch embassy or consulate in their country of residence, while the sponsor in the Netherlands manages much of the supporting documentation on their behalf. Once the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) approves the application, the family member travels to the Netherlands on the MVV and registers to receive their residence permit. As with every Netherlands Visa category, the final decision on approval rests solely with the IND.

Eligibility

You may apply for a Netherlands Family Reunification Visa if:

  • You are the spouse, registered partner, or minor child (under 18) of a sponsor who is a Dutch citizen or holds a valid Dutch residence permit.
  • Your sponsor is 21 years or older (18 or older if married) and has sufficient, sustainable, and self-supporting income.
  • Your marriage or registered partnership is legally recognised (religious marriages are usually not recognised on their own), or, where unmarried, you can demonstrate a long-term and exclusive relationship.
  • You are 21 years or older (for partner applications) and hold a valid passport, or can demonstrate that obtaining one is not possible.
  • You have passed the Civic Integration Exam Abroad (Basisexamen Inburgering), unless you qualify for an exemption.

Exemptions from the Civic Integration Exam Abroad apply to nationals of the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and the United Kingdom, as well as citizens of the EU, Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein, and spouses/partners of Highly Skilled Migrants, regardless of nationality.

Government Visa Fees

CategoryFee
MVV and residence permit (combined application, regular applicants)Approximately €350 per family member
Family member of a Turkish citizen (spouse, registered partner, or (grand)child/(grand)parent)Reduced rate — conditions apply
Citizens of San Marino and Israel (Benelux Treaty)Exempt from the MVV fee

Fees are reviewed and may change on 1 January each year. Fees are non-refundable, whatever the decision on the application.

Netherlands Visa Processing Time

Processing times vary considerably depending on the sponsor’s status and the completeness of the application. As a general benchmark, the IND aims for a decision within 6 to 12 weeks once the file is complete, though overall timelines — including document preparation, the MVV appointment, and the IND decision — commonly range from 2 to 9 months, and in some cases longer. Once approved, the embassy typically issues the MVV within about 2 weeks, after which the family member must register with the IND within 2 weeks of arrival in the Netherlands.

Required Documents Checklist

Valid passport of the applicant (family member)
Completed and signed MVV/residence permit application form
Marriage certificate or registered partnership document, legalised (apostille or Consular Legalisation) and translated where required
Proof of the sponsor's residence status in the Netherlands (Dutch passport, or copy of Dutch residence permit)
Proof of the sponsor's sufficient, sustainable income (employment contract valid for at least 1 year, payslips)
Civic Integration Exam Abroad certificate, unless exempt
Antecedents Certificate (Appendix Antecedents Certificate), for public order screening
Declaration of Relationship and Questionnaire for Residence with Partner, for unmarried partners

Step-by-Step Application Process

Confirm the sponsor meets the income, age, and residence status requirements.
Gather civil documents (marriage/partnership certificate) and have them legalised and translated as required.
The family member completes the Civic Integration Exam Abroad, unless exempt, at a Dutch embassy or consulate-general.
Book an appointment at the Dutch embassy or consulate in your country of residence to submit the MVV application.
Book an appointment at the Dutch embassy or consulate in the family member's country of residence to submit the MVV application.
The embassy forwards the application to the IND, which reviews it and issues a decision.
Once approved, collect the MVV sticker at the embassy, providing biometrics.
Travel to the Netherlands and register with the IND within 2 weeks of arrival to receive the residence permit.

Important Notes

The sponsor must show sufficient, sustainable, and self-supporting income — this is one of the most closely scrutinised aspects of the application.
The Civic Integration Exam Abroad is mandatory before the MVV can be issued, unless the applicant qualifies for an exemption.
Family members cannot legally work in the Netherlands until their residence permit is approved, except in specific pathways (e.g. spouses of Highly Skilled Migrants, who may have work rights from arrival).
Civil documents must generally be legalised (apostille or Consular Legalisation) and officially translated — incomplete or incorrect documentation is a common cause of delay.
Unmarried partners must demonstrate a long-term, exclusive relationship through specific IND forms and supporting evidence.
Fees are non-refundable regardless of the outcome.

Why Choose Shivansh Consultants

Applying for a Netherlands Family Reunification Visa requires accurate documentation, proof of family relationship, and compliance with the immigration requirements prescribed by the Dutch authorities. At Shivansh Consultants, we provide personalized guidance and end-to-end support, assisting you with visa application forms, relationship documents, sponsor documentation, financial evidence, accommodation details, travel insurance (where applicable), and all required supporting paperwork. Our experienced consultants carefully review your application to help minimize errors and delays while ensuring your documentation is complete and meets the applicable visa requirements. We are committed to delivering transparent, reliable, and client-focused assistance throughout your Netherlands Family Reunification Visa application process. While the final decision on visa approval rests solely with the Dutch immigration authorities, our goal is to help you submit a complete, accurate, and well-prepared Netherlands Family Reunification Visa application with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can be sponsored under Netherlands family reunification?
A sponsor's spouse, registered partner, or minor children (under 18) can generally be sponsored, provided the sponsor is a Dutch citizen or holds a valid Dutch residence permit and meets the income and age requirements.
How much income does a sponsor need for family reunification?
The sponsor generally needs sufficient, sustainable income sufficient to support the family, based on current IND income norms (reviewed periodically) — confirm the exact current threshold on the IND website, as it is updated regularly.
How much does the Netherlands Family Reunification Visa cost?
The combined MVV and residence permit fee is approximately €350 per family member for regular applicants, with reduced rates or exemptions for specific categories such as Turkish family members, or citizens of San Marino and Israel.
v
How long does Netherlands family reunification take?
Processing commonly takes 2 to 9 months in total, factoring in document preparation, the Civic Integration Exam Abroad, the MVV appointment, and the IND's decision period.
Do I need to pass an exam before joining my family member in the Netherlands?
Most applicants must pass the Civic Integration Exam Abroad before the MVV can be issued, though several nationalities and specific relationship categories (such as partners of Highly Skilled Migrants) are exempt.