The IND may send you a letter about your application for family reunification
If you have applied for family reunification and the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) has not yet made a decision, you may get a letter from the IND. This letter has information about the waiting period and what happens next with your application.
There are long waiting periods at the IND
The waiting time for family reunification is very long. It now takes an average of 20 to 24 months for the
The IND may soon send you a letter to inform you about the long waiting times. This letter explains the status of your application and what you can expect. Please note: this letter does not mean your application is already being processed.
You will receive a new letter from the IND when it is your turn. This letter explains the next steps and whether the IND needs additional information.
This is how long family reunification takes
The IND website has information about your application
If you want to know how long it will take to process your application, please check the IND website. The website contains an overview of the expected month the IND will process your application. This is based on the date on which you submitted your application.
When will the IND start processing my application for family reunification?
Declaring the IND in default will not cause the IND to process your application sooner
If the IND takes too long to process your application for family reunification, you can give the IND "in gebreke stellen" (notice of default). This means you officially ask the IND to make a decision within 2 weeks. Normally, the IND should then work faster on your application. If this does not happen, you may be able to go to court.
But right now, the IND does not process applications if you declare the IND in default. Not even if you are proven right by a judge. The IND now processes applications in order of entry. The applications that wait the longest are reviewed first. Filing a notice of default or going to court does not change this order.
You may be able to get money as compensation for the excessive wait, but this will not make your application go any faster. Do you still want to put the IND in default? Only do this if your application is complete. Your contact at
Here is what you can do if the IND is late in deciding
Make sure your application is complete
Make sure your application is complete when the IND begins processing your application. A complete application will be processed faster. Otherwise, the IND may have to request additional documents from you, which takes extra time. Therefore, submit all documents and forms on time.
A sample letter about family reunification applications sent by the IND:
