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Gezinshereniging op luchthaven Schiphol.

Source: Selma van der Bijl

This is what you need to arrange when your family member comes to the Netherlands

Last updated: 11/22/2023, 1:53 PM
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If your application for family reunification has been approved, your family member may come to the Netherlands. Read here what you have to do.

Your family member needs to pick up a visa

The

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Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND)
instructs the Dutch embassy in your family member's country to prepare a visa for your family members. If there is no Dutch embassy in that country, the Dutch embassy in a neighbouring country must do so. The visa is called a (permit for temporary stay).

Usually your family member must pick up the MVV within 3 months after the positive decision of the IND. Sometimes this period can be extended to 6 months and in special circumstances to 9 months. For example, if the embassy is difficult to reach.

The positive decision from the IND contains instructions on how your family member can pick up the MVV. The decision also contains instructions on how your family member can travel to the Netherlands and what your family member should do once in the Netherlands.

You may need to make arrangements for a reception centre

If you do not have suitable housing yet to live with your family member, after you have made an appointment with the IND, you can also immediately make arrangements for a reception centre at the

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Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA)
. Usually your family member can enter the COA reception centre one day before the IND appointment.

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Step-by-step plan

Apply for family reunification within 3 months of your residence permit