This is how long family reunification lasts

Have you applied for family reunification within 3 months of being granted an asylum residence permit? Then the IND starts assessing

Has the

If all your information is complete, the IND takes an estimated 4 weeks to decide. This is about a month. 

Does the IND want to ask you more questions? Or does the IND think you should take a DNA test? Then the IND will take an estimated 16 more weeks to decide. This is about 4 months.

Is your file incomplete and does the IND want to do additional research? Then the IND will take an estimated 20 more weeks to decide. This is about 5 months. 

So in total, it will take between 20 and 24 months for the IND to make a decision on your application for family reunification.

Does the IND decide that your family member may come to the Netherlands? Then your family member has 3 months to pick up a

Sometimes your family member has 6 months to pick up an MVV. For example, if your family member has difficulty travelling to a Dutch embassy due to war. You can discuss this with the IND.

First, by law, the IND had to make a decision within a maximum of 3 months of the application. But in 2022, the Dutch government decided that the IND could take 6 months

From 1 December 2025,

It is understandable if you still have questions about the family reunification procedure. Perhaps it is necessary to request a postponement. Or it is necessary to specify another embassy because of travel issues. There may also be a medical emergency involving your family members. If you have questions or there are changes, contact the IND. As of 1 December 2025 there is a 'telefoonnummer gezinshereniging asiel' (phone number for asylum family reunification) that you can call: 088 - 043 04 00. You can find the number from 1 December on the page 'Bellen met de IND

Please note: Did you send your application for post-travel family reunification to the IND before 1 December 2025? And do you need support answering a letter from the IND or something else? If so, VWN can still support you temporarily (until June 2026). You can make an appointment via RefugeeHelp for the digital consultation hour of VWN.

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 support you with family reunification.

Your contact at VWN in the municipality can:

• Provide information on the family reunification procedure.

• Help you in completing the application form.

• Contact the IND on your behalf regarding family reunification.

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

• Sometimes VWN can help with a contribution from the

  Dutch Refugee Fund
  . Then part of your family members' travel expenses will be reimbursed.

• Support you in practical matters once your family members have arrived in the Netherlands and there is housing for you in the municipality. For example, when applying for benefits and

  allowances
  . Or when buying health insurance and registering with a general practitioner, dentist and school.

• If your application for family reunification has been rejected and you want to appeal, VWN can help you find a lawyer.

If the IND takes too long to process your application, you can declare the IND in default. This means that you officially indicate that the IND must make sure that they fulfill their agreements in time and make a decision about your family reunification. You can also get support from VWN.