Family reunification and family formation
There are two ways to bring your partner or children from abroad to the Netherlands: family reunification and family formation. Do you have an asylum residence permit, do you live in the Netherlands and do you want your family to come to the Netherlands? This is called family reunification. Your family already existed before you came to the Netherlands. Do you have an asylum residence permit, do you live in the Netherlands and do you want to bring your partner from abroad to the Netherlands to form a family together? This is called family formation. Your family will only be formed after you came to the Netherlands.
Step-by-step plans (4)
Apply for family reunification within 3 months of your residence permit
5 Steps
1
2
3
4
5
Apply for family reunification more than 3 months after you have received your residence permit
5 Steps
1
2
3
4
5
Family reunification with your parents, siblings or adult children
6 Steps
1
2
3
4
+2
Family formation
4 Steps
1
2
3
4
Information

Moving after family reunification
Article

After family reunification, you may be able to get your own residence permit
Article

Divorce in the Netherlands if you have an asylum residence permit
Article

In these special situations, the IND processes applications for family reunification more quickly
Article

This is what you can do if the IND is late in deciding your asylum case
Article

Here is how to find free or affordable legal support in the Netherlands
Article
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