Apply for family reunification within 3 months of your residence permit

This step-by-step plan tells you how to apply for family reunification. This must be done within 3 months after you receive your residence permit. This is officially called 'gezinshereniging nareis asiel' (asylum family reunification post-entry).
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Source: VluchtelingenWerk Nederland
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Applying for family reunification with the IND

Last updated: 28/10/2024, 10:16

If your family members meet the conditions for family reunification, you can start an application for family reunification with the IND. On this page you can read what you have to do for this.

You start your application within 3 months of receiving your asylum residence permit

By starting your application in advance within 3 months, you ensure that you can apply as a 'nareis asiel' (post-entry asylum) application. With this application, you have to meet less stringent requirements. And it is usually free of charge.

For your application, you will need many documents about your family members. Even if you do not yet have all the necessary documents, you can submit an application for family reunification to the

Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND)
. You must then later provide as many documents as possible that prove your family relationship.

Online: 'Aanvraagformulier gezinshereniging nareis' (application form for family reunification post-entry)

Via the IND website you can fill in the online application form for family reunification post-entry. For this you need DigiD.

Written: 'Aanvraagformulier gezinshereniging nareis' (application form for family reunification post-entry)

Via the IND website you can download the application form for family reunification post-entry. When you have filled it out completely, send it to the IND.

Support in applying for family reunification

Applying for family reunification can be complicated. Your contact at

VluchtelingenWerk Nederland (VWN)
or your social worker from another organisation can support you with this.

This is what VWN can do for you

Your contact at VWN can:

  • Provide information on the family reunification process.

  • Assist you in completing the application form.

  • Liaise with the IND on your behalf during the family reunification process.

  • Assist you in answering questions from the IND about your family relationship.

  • Sometimes VWN can help with a contribution from the

    Dutch Refugee Fund
    . This will reimburse part of your family members' travel expenses.

  • Assist you in practical matters as soon as your family members have arrived in the Netherlands and there is housing for you in the municipality. For example, in applying for benefits and allowances. Or in taking out health insurance and It registering with a general practitioner, dentist and school.

  • If your application for family reunification has been rejected and you want to appeal, VWN can help you find a lawyer.


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