Eligibility quiz
Are you and your partner married, in a registered partnership, or in an unmarried partnership?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in the Netherlands
You can live with your partner in the Netherlands while you meet the conditions.
Permission normally lasts five years if your partner is a Dutch citizen or has permanent residence; otherwise it normally ends with your partner’s temporary permit.
You can register at your municipal address.
Study in the Netherlands
As a lawful resident, you can ordinarily study in the Netherlands, subject to the education provider’s rules and any tuition or funding rules.
Student finance is not automatic.
Work in the Netherlands
Your work rights depend on your card: partners of Dutch citizens normally work freely; partners of students cannot work.
Partners of highly skilled migrants, EU Blue Card holders, intra-company transferees, qualifying researchers, start-up essential staff and self-employed people can work freely.
Partners of self-employed people can also be self-employed; partners of combined permit holders need an employer with a work permit.
Travel and return
You can travel abroad and return to the Netherlands with a valid passport or other travel document and residence card, subject to entry and visa rules.
You may need a return visa when coming back from outside the Schengen area.
How to apply
From outside the NetherlandsFrom outside the Netherlands
Find your consulate
Find the Dutch embassy or consulate in the country where you live or the country of your nationality. If neither has one, find the nearest Dutch embassy or consulate.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Dutch embassy or consulate serves your city for a partner residence permit application?”
Register for the exam
Unless you are exempt, register and pay for the Civic Integration Exam Abroad with DUO. Contact the Dutch embassy or consulate to arrange to take it.
Register for the examSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I register and pay for the Netherlands Civic Integration Exam Abroad for a partner residence permit?”
Take the exam
Unless you are exempt, take the Civic Integration Exam Abroad at the Dutch embassy or consulate and wait for your result. If you pass, apply for your long-stay visa within one year of the result.
Arrange your examSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I arrange the Netherlands Civic Integration Exam Abroad for a partner residence permit?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the partner residence permit application.
See required documentsDownload the application form
Download form 9511 for your partner residence permit application.
Download the formSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I download Netherlands IND form 9511 for a partner residence permit?”
Fill in the form
Fill in the application form and have your partner complete and sign the sponsor declaration.
Get form helpSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in Netherlands IND form 9511 for a partner residence permit?”
Book an appointment
Book an appointment at the Dutch embassy or consulate to register your long-stay visa and residence permit application.
Book an appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book an appointment at a Dutch embassy or consulate to apply for a long-stay visa and partner residence permit?”
Go to your appointment
Bring your completed form, passport photograph, valid passport and required documents to the appointment. The embassy or consulate will register your application, take your fingerprints and signature, and return the form with proof of receipt and your V-number.
Prepare for appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “What do I bring to a Dutch embassy or consulate appointment for a long-stay visa and partner residence permit?”
Mail your application
Send the registered form and your documents to the IND at the address on the form within three weeks of the date entered by the embassy or consulate. Your partner can instead start the same application online with DigiD or by sending the appropriate partner form to the IND.
Get the mailing addressPay the application fee
Pay the €254 fee using the instructions the IND sends after receiving your application.
Find payment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the Netherlands IND partner residence permit fee after applying by post?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the IND to decide and respond if it asks you for more information or documents. You can follow your application in My IND with DigiD.
Follow your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I track my Netherlands IND partner residence permit application in My IND?”
Collect your visa
If your application is approved, collect your long-stay visa, called an MVV, at the Dutch embassy or consulate named in your application.
Arrange visa collectionSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect a Netherlands MVV after approval of my partner residence permit?”
Travel to the Netherlands
Use your long-stay visa to travel to the Netherlands and join your partner.
Plan your arrivalSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I travel to the Netherlands with an MVV for a partner residence permit?”
Once in the NetherlandsOnce in the Netherlands
Give your biometrics
If the IND tells you that your fingerprints, photo or signature are still needed, book an appointment and go to an IND desk or service point.
Book biometricsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book a Netherlands IND biometrics appointment for a partner residence permit?”
Register your address
If you will stay for more than four months, register at the town hall where you live with your partner. Bring your legalised and translated birth certificate; you will receive a citizen service number, called a BSN.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Where do I register my address in your city after receiving a Netherlands partner residence permit?”
Get health insurance
Take out health insurance after you start living in the Netherlands.
Find health insuranceSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get health insurance in the Netherlands after receiving a partner residence permit?”
Collect your residence card
When the IND says your residence card is ready, book an appointment and collect it. The card shows that you have permission to live in the Netherlands with your partner.
Book card collectionSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book an appointment to collect my Netherlands partner residence permit card?”
Take your TB test
If you submitted a declaration that you will take a TB test, book an appointment with the public health service and complete the test within three months of receiving your residence permit. You can then continue living with your partner under your permit.
Arrange your TB testSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I arrange a TB test after receiving a Netherlands partner residence permit?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificate *
Bring your birth certificate when you register with the municipality.
* Only if you register with a municipality after arriving and will stay more than four months.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationRelationship evidence *
Write a detailed account of your relationship with your partner. Add varied, dated evidence such as photographs, messages, travel tickets or money transfers.
* Only if you are unmarried.
Single-status declarations *
Get your single-status declaration from your country of origin; it must be no more than six months old. If you live in another country where you may stay for more than three months, also get a declaration from there. Your partner must also provide a declaration unless they have permanent residence or an asylum residence permit.
* Only if you are unmarried.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Keeping your permission
Keep a valid travel document, live with your partner and extend your permission before it expires.
Report address changes, departure, separation, no longer living together or a change in your partner’s status to the IND within four weeks.
Keep your main home in the Netherlands: over six continuous months abroad in a calendar year, or, in some cases, over four in each of three successive years, may count as moving away.
Dutch language and society
Some holders must learn Dutch and about Dutch society and complete civic integration within three years.
Exemptions include EU and EEA citizens and some other nationalities, under-18s, people at retirement age and some people with qualifying Dutch education or temporary purposes.
Permission can end
Your permission can end at expiry or be withdrawn if you separate, stop living together, move your main home abroad or no longer meet the conditions.
It can also be withdrawn or extension refused for false or withheld information, public order or security concerns, unlawful work, insufficient means or failure to cooperate with medical requirements.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
MVV naar Nederland 🇳🇱
Facebook group for people living in the Netherlands interested in Dutch visas (English & Dutch)
Request to joinEU Freedom of Movement Support Initiative
English Facebook group for people living in the Netherlands interested in Dutch visas
Request to joinAmecan -USA Canada Australia Europe Japan-Visitor & Student Visa Specialist
English Facebook group for people living in the Netherlands interested in Dutch visas
Join on FacebookConsultation
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