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Visa & Immigration

Netherlands Spouse Visa

The Netherlands Spouse Visa allows the foreign husband or wife of a sponsor living in the Netherlands to join them, through the MVV (provisional residence permit) and residence permit process administered by the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). The exact route and requirements depend on the sponsor’s status: a Dutch citizen sponsoring a non-EU spouse follows the standard family reunification rules; a non-EU sponsor with a Dutch residence permit (for example, a Highly Skilled Migrant) follows a similar route, though certain permit types unlock immediate work rights for the joining spouse; and where the sponsor is an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen (not Dutch) who has lived in the Netherlands with the couple for at least several months, EU free-movement rules may offer a faster verification route instead. As with every Netherlands Visa category, the final decision on approval rests solely with the IND.

Eligibility

You may apply for a Netherlands Spouse Visa if:

 

  • Your marriage is legally recognised (religious marriages alone are usually not sufficient).
  • Your sponsor is 21 years or older, is Dutch or holds a valid Dutch residence permit, and has sufficient, sustainable, self-supporting income.
  • You are 21 years or older and hold a valid passport, or can demonstrate that obtaining one is not possible.
  • You have passed the Civic Integration Exam Abroad, unless exempt.
  • You and your sponsor intend to live together once you arrive in the Netherlands.

 

If your sponsor is an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen (not Dutch) and you can establish at least several months of cohabitation together in the Netherlands, a faster EU law verification route may be available instead of the standard MVV process — this is worth discussing with an adviser given the potentially significant time savings.

Government Visa Fees

CategoryFee
MVV and residence permit (combined application, regular sponsor)Approximately €350
Family member of a Turkish citizenReduced rate — conditions apply
EU law verification route (non-Dutch EU/EEA/Swiss sponsor)Different, generally lower fee structure — confirm current amount with the IND

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

For the standard MVV and residence permit route (Dutch citizen sponsor, or non-EU sponsor with a Dutch residence permit), the overall process — document preparation, the Civic Integration Exam Abroad, the MVV appointment, and the IND decision — typically takes around 6 to 12 months in total. Where the sponsor holds a residence permit as a Highly Skilled Migrant, the spouse’s residence card can include immediate work rights once granted. The EU law verification route, where applicable, is generally faster, often around 4 to 6 months overall, with work rights potentially available within 2 to 3 months of application via an endorsement sticker.

Required Documents Checklist

Valid passport of the spouse applying
Completed and signed MVV/residence permit application form
Marriage certificate, legalised (apostille or Consular Legalisation) and translated where required
A single status certificate (proof the applicant was not already married) — must not be older than 6 months at the date of application, also legalised
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)
Civic Integration Exam Abroad certificate, unless exempt
Antecedents Certificate, for public order screening

Step-by-Step Application Process

Confirm which route applies — Dutch citizen sponsor, non-EU sponsor with a Dutch residence permit, or EU/EEA/Swiss sponsor under EU law verification.
Gather your marriage certificate, single status certificate, and other civil documents, legalised and translated as required.
Complete the Civic Integration Exam Abroad, unless exempt.
Book an appointment at the Dutch embassy or consulate in your country of residence to submit the MVV application.
The embassy forwards the application to the IND for review and a decision.
Once approved, collect the MVV sticker and travel to the Netherlands.
Register with the IND and the local municipality to receive your residence permit.

Important Notes

The sponsor's income must be sufficient, sustainable (generally confirmed by an employment contract valid for at least 1 year), and self-supporting.
If your sponsor holds a Highly Skilled Migrant permit, your residence card may include the annotation "Arbeid vrij toegestaan" (work freely permitted), allowing you to work from day one.
Under the standard Dutch citizen sponsor route, and most non-HSM sponsor cases, you generally cannot work until your residence permit is approved.
If your sponsor is an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen (not Dutch) and you have lived together in the Netherlands for a qualifying period, ask about the EU law verification route, which can be significantly faster.
Civil documents (marriage certificate, single status certificate) must be properly legalised and translated — this is one of the most common sources of delay.
Fees are non-refundable regardless of the outcome.

Why Choose Shivansh Consultants

Applying for a Netherlands Spouse Visa requires accurate documentation, proof of a genuine marital 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, marriage certificates, 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 Spouse 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 Spouse Visa application with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much income does my Dutch spouse need to sponsor me?
Your sponsor needs sufficient, sustainable income based on current IND income norms, confirmed by an employment contract valid for at least 1 year at the time of application — check the IND website for the exact current amount, as it's reviewed periodically.
Can I work in the Netherlands while my Spouse Visa is being processed?
Generally not, under the standard route — you must wait until your residence permit is approved. An exception applies if your sponsor holds a Highly Skilled Migrant permit, in which case your residence card may allow immediate work rights.
How much does the Netherlands Spouse Visa cost?
The combined MVV and residence permit fee is approximately €350 for regular applicants, with different rates for specific categories such as Turkish family members or the EU law verification route.
How long does it take to join a spouse in the Netherlands?
The standard route typically takes 6 to 12 months in total. The EU law verification route (where the sponsor is a non-Dutch EU/EEA/Swiss citizen) is generally faster, often 4 to 6 months.
Do I need to take an exam before joining my spouse?
Most applicants must pass the Civic Integration Exam Abroad before the MVV is issued, with exemptions for certain nationalities (including the US, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, UK, EU/EEA/Switzerland) and for spouses of Highly Skilled Migrants.