Family Reunification Lawyer

Advice or proceedings? Ask for a free introductory meeting.

Experienced in Dutch immigration and residence permit law

Law & More prepares family reunification applications for a spouse, registered or unmarried partner or minor child who wants to join a sponsor living in the Netherlands, and acts when the IND refuses. We work for sponsors, family members and employers of internationals, throughout the Netherlands and in Dutch and English. The first step is a free introductory meeting in which we test the relationship, the ages and the income against the conditions.

Clients rate Law & More 9.6 out of 10 on Klantenvertellen, the Dutch review platform (81 reviews, as of October 2026).

What can we help you with?

bringing a spouse or registered partner to the Netherlands;
residence for an unmarried partner in a durable and exclusive relationship;
residence for a minor child, including questions of parental authority;
assessing whether the sponsor's income meets the requirement;
the entry visa (mvv) and the civic integration examination abroad;
legalisation, apostilles and translations of foreign certificates;
family members of a highly skilled migrant;
an objection or appeal after a refusal; see objections against IND decisions.

Who qualifies for family reunification?

The spouse or registered partner, the unmarried partner in a properly attested durable and exclusive relationship, and the minor child who belongs to the sponsor's family can qualify (Article 3.14 of the Aliens Decree 2000). For partners, both the incoming partner and the sponsor must be 21 or older.

Residence as a family member is granted under Article 3.13 of the Aliens Decree 2000. A marriage or registered partnership must be valid under Dutch private international law. Unmarried partners must both be unmarried and not so closely related that Dutch law would bar a marriage.

A minor biological or legal child qualifies if the child actually belongs to the sponsor's family, already did so in the country of origin, and is under the sponsor's lawful authority. The age limit of 21 applies to the incoming partner under Article 3.14 and to the sponsor under Article 3.15; it does not apply to minor children.

What income does the sponsor need?

The sponsor must have sustainable and independent means of support of at least the statutory minimum wage including holiday allowance (Articles 3.22 and 3.74 of the Aliens Decree 2000). This is where most applications run into trouble.

The second paragraph of Article 3.22 makes an exception for a sponsor who has reached the state pension age or is permanently and fully unfit for work. Whether income counts as sustainable and independent depends on the nature and duration of the employment and on the source of the income. Current reference amounts are published on ind.nl.

We build the income file: which components count, and which documents the IND expects from an employee or from a self-employed sponsor. If the requirement is not met today, the question is often one of timing and evidence. In particular cases the right to family life can be relied on.

Do you need an entry visa and a civic integration exam?

Many nationalities need a provisional residence permit (mvv) to enter the Netherlands; that application is combined with the application for the residence permit and is usually filed by the sponsor. Where the mvv requirement applies, the IND in principle also expects the basic civic integration examination abroad to have been passed.

Whether you are exempt from the mvv depends on nationality and residence situation. The examination is arranged through DUO and taken at a Dutch embassy or consulate, and exemptions exist. We map out which foreign certificates are needed, how they must be legalised or given an apostille, and which translations are required. We also guide the family member through the exam registration and the embassy appointment for the mvv and biometrics.

How long does the IND take, and what if it refuses?

The IND decides within 90 days, extendable by up to six months where advice or investigation by third parties or the public prosecution service is needed (Article 25 of the Aliens Act 2000). An objection or appeal must be lodged within four weeks (Article 69).

If the decision period is exceeded, the IND can be given written notice of default. After a refusal we lodge the objection, prepare the hearing and, if needed, appeal to the court. Once the permit is granted we also look ahead to renewal, a change of residence purpose and continued residence; see our immigration practice.

How does working with Law & More work?

Introductory meeting: we discuss the family situation and the sponsor's position, free of charge.
Advice and cost estimate: we test the relationship, ages, authority and income against the conditions, name the weak points and estimate the costs.
Application: we draft the application and the sponsor's declaration, file them and answer questions from the IND.
Decision, objection or appeal: we review the decision and, after a refusal, lodge an objection or appeal.

What does a family reunification lawyer cost?

The introductory meeting is free of charge. After that we work on an hourly basis, and we agree the rate and the expected effort with you in advance.

Lawyer: 250 to 350 euros per hour, excluding VAT.
Partner: 300 to 400 euros per hour, excluding VAT.
One-off advice meeting without further assistance: 300 euros including VAT.

Law & More does not work on legal aid (toevoeging). Legal aid exists through the Legal Aid Board (Raad voor Rechtsbijstand), but we do not work on that basis. IND fees, legalisation costs and translation costs are charged separately; current IND fees are published on ind.nl.

Who handles your case?

Your case is handled by Ruby van Kersbergen and Michelle Marjanovic. You can read more about their background on our team page.

Which related services may be relevant?

Your question may touch on other areas as well. These pages explain how we can help.

Frequently asked questions

Do both partners have to be 21?

Yes. Article 3.14 of the Aliens Decree 2000 sets the age limit for the incoming partner and Article 3.15 for the sponsor in the Netherlands. The limit does not apply to minor children. If one of you is not yet 21, waiting is usually the safer course, because an application filed too early will be refused.

What if I do not meet the income requirement?

Article 3.22 requires sustainable and independent income at the level of the minimum wage including holiday allowance, with an exception for sponsors who have reached the state pension age or are permanently and fully unfit for work. If you do not meet it today, the question is often one of timing and evidence. In particular cases the right to family life can be relied on.

Can an unmarried partner apply?

Yes, if the relationship is durable and exclusive and properly attested, both partners are unmarried, and there is no close family relationship that would bar a marriage under Dutch law. Evidence of cohabitation and contact carries weight here, so it is worth collecting it before the application is filed.

How long does it take?

The statutory period is 90 days, extendable by up to six months. Actual processing times per procedure are published on ind.nl. If the period is exceeded, the IND can be given notice of default, after which an appeal for failure to decide in time becomes possible.

Can I object if the application is refused?

Yes, within four weeks of notification of the decision. That deadline is strict: a late objection is in principle inadmissible. If the objection is rejected, an appeal to the court is possible, again within four weeks. Send us the decision itself as soon as you receive it.

Do you handle asylum cases?

No. Law & More does not handle asylum cases. For an asylum procedure, contact the Juridisch Loket or VluchtelingenWerk Nederland; during the asylum procedure you are entitled to a lawyer through the Legal Aid Board.

In doubt about your position? Tell us about your situation. We will let you know within one working day what your options are. Use our contact form, call +31 40 369 06 80 or e-mail info@lawandmore.nl.

Law & More, Marconilaan 13, 5612 HM Eindhoven (+31 40 369 06 80) and visiting location Pietersbergweg 291, 1105 BM Amsterdam (+31 20 369 71 21). Available Monday to Friday 08:00-22:00, Saturday and Sunday 09:00-17:00.

This page provides general information and does not replace advice on your specific situation.