Netherlands Child Residence
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See if you're a match →This route is for minor children joining a Dutch or lawfully resident parent in the Netherlands.
- Age
- For children under 18
- Parent
- Parent must usually be Dutch or hold a qualifying Dutch residence permit
- Household
- The child must usually live with the parent and be part of the family household
- Consent
- Parental authority and consent requirements can matter
Summary
The Netherlands has a family residence route for children under 18 who will live with a parent in the Netherlands.
The parent must usually be Dutch or hold a qualifying Dutch residence permit. The child generally must be part of the family household, live with the parent, and have the required parental authority and consent documents.
Eligibility
You may be a fit if:
- The child is under 18.
- The child's parent is Dutch or has a qualifying Dutch residence permit.
- The child will live with that parent in the Netherlands.
- The child is part of the family household.
- Parental authority and consent requirements can be documented.
- The sponsoring parent meets the income and sponsor requirements.
What This Route Allows
The child can live in the Netherlands with the parent. Work rights later depend on the child's age and the type of permit held by the sponsoring parent.
What This Route Is Not
This is not a general route for adult children. It is also not usually available when the parent's status is a short-term or exchange category that cannot sponsor child residence.
Next Steps
- Confirm the child's age and family relationship.
- Confirm the parent's Dutch nationality or residence permit type.
- Check whether the parent can sponsor a child under that status.
- Gather birth, custody, consent, identity, residence, and income documents.
- Apply through the appropriate IND family route.