How to apply for the Netherlands family visa in 2021?

You do not need a family visa to visit your relative in the Netherlands for the short term. When you stay up to 90 days, you could use a Netherlands tourist visa or visitor visa. The two visas allow you to stay with your relative. But bear in mind that not everyone needs a visa to visit relatives in the Netherlands. You could be exempt from a Netherlands short-stay visa. If you are among the exempted countries whose citizens don’t need a short-stay visa, then you can visit your relatives in the Netherlands without a visa for up to 90-day stays.

But, if you want to visit your relative for the long term or stay permanently, you need a Netherlands family visa. Apart from the visa, you need a Residence Permit as well. Yet, the rules change for various nationalities.

EU, EEA, and Switzerland citizens

Providing that you are a citizen or a national of the EU, EEA, and Switzerland, you do not need a family visa. You won’t need a Residence Permit either. However, you just need to register with the officials. Remember that you have to register with the officials for long stays.

Non-EU, EEA citizens, and Switzerland citizens

There are two possibilities for this group. First, your relative is from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, but you are not. In this incident, you have to apply for Verification against EU law. The application will pave the way for Residence Permit.

Second, you and your relative are not from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland. In this case, you have to apply for both the Netherlands family visa and Its Residence Permit.

The formula can be like this:

EU, EEA, Switzerland ciitzens= no visa, Verification against EU law.

Non-EU, EEA, Switzerlan ciitzens = Family visa, Resience Permit.

Are you Eligible to Apply for the Netherlands family visa?

Not everyone is eligible for a Netherlands family visa. Only a few relatives are eligible to apply for it.

Spouse or law partner

The eligibility principles for spouses are as follows:

• The partner living in the Netherlands must cover you.
• The sponsor must prove to have enough funds to cover your stay.
• It is mandatory that the sponsor holds a valid Residence Permit. The Residence Permit must hold validity at the time of application.
• You are eligible if the sponsor is a Dutch national.
• The couple must both be at least 21.
• It is mandatory that you live with a partner in the Netherlands.
• The couple must prove their long-term, steady relationship.

Minors under 18

The minor child must fulfill the following conditions to be eligible:

• The sponsor must have full responsibility for taking care of the child. If one of the parents will not move, a Permission leave (consent letter) from him/her is required.
• The child must live with the sponsor after entering the Netherlands.
• The sponsor must have lived in the Netherlands for at least one year. The residency must have been under a legal residence permit.
• The child may not be married.
• The age restriction for the child is 18.
• The child must live with the sponsor after entering the Netherlands. The child may not live independently.
• The sponsor must prove financial independence to support the child.

To move to the Netherlands as a lawyer, read our article.

Can I Bring a foster child to the country?

If the child is a close family member and does not have anyone to take care of them. The following family members could bring their relative minors:

• Grandparent
• Sibling
• Uncle
• Aunt
• Half sibling
• Sister-in-law
• Brother-in-law

The eligibility principles for bringing a foster child to the Netherlands are as follows:

• The people who are responsible for the child permit the child to move to the Netherlands.
• The sponsor must be able to provide appropriate living conditions for the child. It includes education.
• The child could not suffer from any:
  • Serious health issues.
  • Infectious disease
  • Psychological problems

He/she must not be a threat to the public either.

• The sponsor must have a valid Residence Permit. You may not bring someone with a short-stay visa.
• Children must be younger than the consent age (18).
• The sponsor must hold responsibility and care for the child.
• The sponsor must have enough funds to cover the child’s expenses.

Parent of a minor Dutch child

Your child is a citizen of the Netherlands, but you are not. In this situation, you want to join him/her. You have to comply with the following conditions:

• The child must rely on you for a living. If you do not move to the Netherlands, the child must leave.
• You must be responsible for the child in the Netherlands. When you move, you have to take responsibility and take care of the child.
• The parent could not be a member of the:
  • EU
  • EEA
  • Switzerland
• The resident child must not be 18 years old.
• The relationship between the parent and the child must be:
  • Foster parent
  • Step-parent
  • Biological parent

Requirements for Netherlands Family visa

The requirements for the Netherlands family visa come in two parts; the sponsor and the guest.

Guest moving to the Netherlands

Passport

A passport or travel document is mandatory. It must possess validity for over one year, at least.

Civil status

The formal document proves the relationship between the sponsor and the guest. Such documents are different for each family member:

• Birth certificate for the child
• Marriage certificate for spouse
• Certificate of registered partnership

Health certificate

Provide a document that proves you are in full health. You must not pose a risk to the public or have a contagious disease.

Health insurance

Having health insurance valid in the Netherlands and the EU is a must.

Clean record certificate

Provide a certificate from the Police that you have no criminal record.

Tuberculosis test

You might have to pass a TB test. It is up to the officials decision.

Sponsor’s requirements

Residence Permit

The sponsor living in the Netherlands must provide a copy of his/her Residence Permit. It must hold validity for over a year.

Declaration letter

The sponsor must state his/her support for the guest in a letter. Also, the sponsor must confirm the relationship in the letter.

Proof of income

The sponsor must have enough funds to cover the guest. He/she must state its informal document. One of the following items is acceptable:

• Pay slips
• Bank statements
• Work contract showing the salary

The mentioned requirements are a general set of requirements. The Dutch authorities could ask for additional documents. Bear this point in mind. If they do so, obey them and provide whatever they require.

Application Process for Netherlands Family visa

The application process for the Netherlands family visa might be a bit complicated. But, you just need to be a bit focused. Your nationality is a crucial point in the process. Follow the guideline to know the process for a Netherlands family visa:

Step 1. Do You need a visa?

It is a key question that many people do not know. But the point is many do not ask it. As explained above, not every country needs a family visa for the Netherlands. The EU, EEA, and Switzerland nationals are free of it. They have permission to go to the Netherlands and apply for its Residence Permit. If you are not among them, read the below instructions.

Step 2. Are you eligible for a Netherlands family visa?

Do you need a visa? Fine, but are you eligible for it or not? The officials have put requirements on the Netherlands family visa. You have to comply with every one of them. If not, do not waste your time. If you want to make real sure, contact the Dutch embassy in your home country.

Step 3. MMV

MMV is Netherlands long-stay visa. It also gets called:

• An authorization for a temporary stay
• A Dutch provisional residence permit

When you want to stay longer than 90 days in the Netherlands, you need a long-stay visa.

Often when you want to apply for a Netherland Residence permit, you might have to apply for a long-stay visa. It depends on your nationality.

You will need a Netherlands long-stay visa or MMV unless you fall in one of the following groups:

• You apply for a Netherlands startup visa.
• You have held an EU Blue Card for at least 18 months.
• EU, EEA, and Switzerland citizens.
• The citizens of the following countries:
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • Canada
  • Japan
  • Monaco
  • Vatican City
  • United States of America
  • South Korea
• You have a valid Residence Permit issued from another Schengen Country.

If you need a Long-stay visa, apply to the Dutch embassy or consulate in your home country. First, download the application form from the embassy’s website. You could get it from the IND website too. Gather the requirements. Then make an appointment with them and get there on time. Bring all the requirements to the Dutch embassy. Complete the procedures with the Embassy and wait for processing. When you received the visa, you can move to the Netherlands. There you can apply for the Residence Permit to the IND.

I do not Need a Long-stay visa

When you do not need a long-stay visa, your sponsor can directly apply for a Netherlands Residence Permit. You have to send the requirements to your sponsor. He/she submits the requirements to the IND. They will process the application and decide on it. When they issue the Residence Permit, you can move to the Netherlands.

The issued residence permit will be valid as long as your sponsor is valid.

Do you have permission to work under a Netherlands family visa?

The answer depends on your and your sponsor’s condition. If your sponsor has to apply for a work permit, you have to apply for it. But, if your sponsor’s Residence Permit allows work, you can work without a work permit.

Netherlands family visa Validity

The validity of your visa/permit depends on your sponsor. You can stay in the Netherlands as long as your sponsor can stay. The top validity of the residence permit would be five years. After it, you can change your condition.

Let’s sum up…

This article brought you all you should know about the Netherlands family visa. It explained who is eligible for a family reunification visa, the requirements, the application process, FAQs, and a lot more.

Do you wish to know more about Netherlands visas? Visit the left sidebar. You can find different types there.

Providing that you have personal experience or knowledge about Netherlands visas, share them with us in the comment section. Visa applicants will appreciate your worthy tips.