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Article

Applying for family reunification under Article 8 ECHR with the IND

Last updated: 16/12/2025, 08:06

Do your family members meet the conditions for family reunification under Article 8 ECHR? If so, you can submit an application for family reunification under Article 8 ECHR to the IND. On this page you can read what you have to do to do this.

You can apply for family reunification under Article 8 ECHR in 2 ways

The application for family reunification on the basis of

is not subject to a 3-month deadline for submission, but you often have to submit the application at the same time as an application for post-travel. You often want to bring your family member to the Netherlands as soon as possible.

There are 2 ways to submit the application for family reunification under Article 8 ECHR: online or by post. The online form does not require

. On the website go to the page Application forms for asylum family reunification and choose the option 'Online application for a provisional residence permit - asylum family reunification Article 8 ECHR'.

By post: download the 'Aanvraagformulier verblijfsvergunning gezinshereniging asiel' (application form for asylum family reunification residence permit).

If you prefer to fill out the application by hand and send it by post, you can do so. On the IND website you can download the application form. It is the written form B07009.

It is confusing that this application form is called 'application for an asylum family reunification asylum residence permit' because you can also use this form for an application for a family reunification Article 8 ECHR (i.e. for family reunification with your brothers, sisters or (foster) parents or adult children). There is only 1 written form that you can download. So this form is both for applying for post-travel family reunification (with your partner and minor children) and family reunification based on Article 8 ECHR (with your adult children, brothers sisters or (foster) parents.

After you click on form B07009 on the IND website, it opens. You can now download it by clicking on the download sign at the top right of your screen (this is to the left of the print sign). You can now fill it out on the computer and then print it or print it out right away and fill it out with pen. Please note that for each family member you want to bring to the Netherlands, you must also fill out several appendices. You will find the attachments for each family member at the bottom of the downloaded form. Once you have completed the application form and the appendices for each family member, print everything out. Sign the application form and send everything to the IND. You send the copies of all required documents and the translations of the documents to the IND as well. Please note: do not send original documents with the application form, only copies.

Please note: It is important that you send this application with all forms and copies of documents with your signature on them to the IND. The address to send it to is on the form. You can send it by registered mail to a PostNL point in your area.

This costs around 12 euros. You will receive proof that your package has been sent and confirmation when the package has been received by the IND. So you know for sure that your application has arrived at the IND.

A few weeks after submitting the application, you will receive a confirmation of receipt from the IND

The IND confirms that your applications for family reunification have been received. The IND has given your family members each a personal

and has assigned a case number to each family member's application. In the confirmation of receipt, the IND tells you the latest date by which the IND must decide on your applications.

In the confirmation of receipt, you will also find explanations from the IND for sending your original

(please note: do not send passports or identity documents). And translations (the translation is attached to a copy of the document). You must send these to the
. This IND office will asses your original documents for authenticity. Send your original documents with signature to TOED as well, including the attachment from the confirmation of receipt on which your information is listed. Only with that attachment can TOED register, assess and process the documents in your file.

After the assessment, TOED sends the documents to the IND office, where you can pick them up again.

Please note: never send original IDs in the post. You and your family members need these to identify yourselves.

Support in applying for family reunification

Applying for family reunification can be complicated. Your contact at

, your social worker from another organisation or a lawyer can help you with this.

This is what VWN can do for you:

Your VWN contact at a reception centre can:

  • Assist you in finding a lawyer to file the application for family reunification under Article 8 ECHR.

Your contact at VWN in the municipality can:

  • Provide information on the family reunification process.

  • Assist you in completing the application form.

  • Liaise with the IND on your behalf during the family reunification process.

  • Assist you in answering questions from the IND about your family relationship.

  • Sometimes VWN can help with a contribution from ‘’ the

    . This part of your family members' 'legeskosten' (legal fees) or travel expenses will be reimbursed.

  • 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 allowances. Or in taking out health insurance and It registering with a general practitioner, dentist and school

  • Has your application for family reunification been rejected and you want to appeal? Then VWN can help you find a lawyer.


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