Family reunification and family formation
Step-by-step plans (4)
Apply for family reunification within 3 months of your residence permit
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
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).
Apply for family reunification more than 3 months after you have received your residence permit
Family reunification with your parents, siblings or adult children
Family formation
Information
Moving after family reunification
If your family members come to the Netherlands and you have a home that is too small to live in together, the municipality will arrange another home for you. In this article you can read how this works.
After family reunification, you may be able to get your own residence permit
Did you come to the Netherlands because your family member applied for family reunification for you? Then you will not receive your own residence permit, but a residence permit linked to that of your family member. You can apply for your own permit. You can read more about it on this page.
Divorce in the Netherlands if you have an asylum residence permit
Do you want a divorce from your partner? You can get divorced in the Netherlands, but how that works depends on your personal situation. Divorce can, for example, have consequences for your residence permit and your stay in the Netherlands. Read here how divorce works.
In these special situations, the IND processes applications for family reunification more quickly
Do you want to apply for family reunification for family members who are still abroad? If so, it often takes a long time for the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) to make a decision. In some special situations the IND can process your application faster. This article explains how that works.
This is what you can do if the IND is late in deciding your asylum case
The IND must decide on your asylum application in time. If the IND does not decide on time, you can officially ask the IND to make a decision within 2 weeks. This is called "notice of default".
Here is how to find free or affordable legal support in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, there are several ways to get free or low-cost legal help. For example, you may have questions about your asylum procedure or need help if you have problems at work or with your home. Read here where you can go for legal help.
Do you have a tip for the website?
Let us know what you're still missing or if there's anything you can't find. Based on your suggestions, RefugeeHelp can make this page even better. Please note that this form is for suggestions about the website – not for personal questions or requests. You will not receive a response to your suggestion. Please note: This form is not for personal questions. You will not receive a response.