Applying for 'family reunification for asylum seekers (post-travel)' at the IND
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Do your family members meet the conditions for family reunification? Then you can start an application for family reunification with the IND. In this step you will read what you need to do to do this.
You start your application within 3 months of receiving your asylum residence permit
1. You have refugee status
By starting your application within three months, you will ensure that you can submit it as an 'asylum post-travel' application. This is important if you have a refugee asylum residence permit.
If you apply for 'asylum post-travel' – that is, within three months – you will have to meet less strict requirements. And it is free of charge.
It is therefore very important that you submit your application within three months.
2. Do you have subsidiary protection status?
Do you have a
You can only submit your application after two years. Your application will then be processed in the order in which it is received.
You will need a lot of documents relating to your family members for your application. Even if you do not yet have all the necessary documents, you can still submit your application for 'family reunification for asylum seekers (post-travel)' to the
You can submit your application online (through the IND website) or on paper by post
You can complete the online application form for 'family reunification for asylum seekers (post-travel)' via the
You will need an email address to apply online. The IND will use this email address to send you a confirmation once you have submitted the form.
When applying online, you must upload the documents and their translations yourself. Once you have completed all the questions and uploaded your documents, submit the form by clicking the submit button.
You will receive a digital confirmation of receipt for your online application at your email address.
If you wish to submit your application by post, you must download the application form for ‘family reunification for asylum seekers (post-travel)’ from the IND website in
If you are sending the forms by post, you can fill them in online first and then print them out
Once you have completed the application form and the supporting documents online, print them all out. Sign the application form. Then send the completed application form, together with the supporting documents for each family member and copies of all the documents, to the IND.
So please do not include any original documents with the application form; only copies.
Are you submitting your application by post? Make a copy of the application documents before you send them off. Keep your copies in a folder.
Please note: It is important that you send your application, along with all copies of the documents, by registered post to the IND. The IND’s address is given on the form. You can post it by registered post at a PostNL branch near you. This costs around 12 euros.
If you send your application by registered post, you will receive proof that your parcel has been sent. You will also receive confirmation when the IND has received the parcel. This way, you can be sure that your application has reached the IND.
Add the ‘bewijs van verzending’ sticker (proof of dispatch) to your ‘Aanvraag GH’ folder (family reunification application).
Confirmation of receipt
After a few weeks, you will receive a written confirmation of receipt at your home address. This confirms that the IND has received your applications for ‘family reunification for asylum seekers (post-travel)’. It does not matter whether you submitted the application online or by post.
In the confirmation of receipt, you will also see that the IND has issued each of your family members with a personal
The confirmation of receipt also states the date by which the IND must decide on your applications.
Do you already have a BSN and a
The confirmation of receipt also includes guidance from the IND on sending original documents with translations (the translation must be attached to a copy of the document) to the
Once the assessment is complete, TOED will send the documents to the IND office so that you can collect them there.
Please note: never send original identity documents by post. You and your family members will need these to prove your identity.
Support from VluchtelingenWerk Nederland (VWN) in applying for family reunification
You must apply for ‘family reunification for asylum seekers (post-travel)’ yourself if you are still living in a reception centre.
It is understandable that you still have questions about the procedure for ‘family reunification for asylum seekers (post-travel)’. You may need to apply for a postponement. Or you may need to specify a different embassy due to travel difficulties. There may also be a medical emergency involving your family members.
If you have any questions or if there are any changes, please contact the IND. From 1 December 2025, there will be a dedicated 'family reunification for asylum seekers’ telephone number' that you can call: 088 043 04 00.
You have a home in the municipality
Do you already have your own home in the municipality? If so, VWN or your social worker from another organisation can assist you with ‘family reunification for asylum seekers (post-travel)’.
Your contact at VWN in the municipality can:
Provide information on the family reunification procedure.
Help you fill in the application form.
Liaise with the IND on your behalf regarding 'family reunification for asylum seekers (post-travel)'.
Help you answer questions from the IND regarding your family relationship.
Sometimes VWN can help with a contribution from the
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
If your application for 'family reunification for asylum seekers (post-travel)' has been rejected and you want to appeal, VWN can help you find a lawyer.