Income not sustainable
Contract under 12 months with no history, or self-employment under 18 months.
The fix. Wait for a 12-month contract or 3 years of history; highly skilled migrants are exempt.
Netherlands partner and family residence permit for Indian spouses and children
Spouses, registered and unmarried partners and children under 18 of an Indian living in the Netherlands apply through the sponsor for the combined entry visa and residence permit (TEV): EUR 254 per person in 2026, with the sponsor showing independent income of at least EUR 2,294.40 gross a month excluding holiday allowance (EUR 2,337.00 from 1 July 2026) for at least twelve months ahead. Partners of highly skilled migrants, Blue Card holders and researchers are exempt from the civic integration exam abroad and are decided within two weeks; partners of other residents sit the EUR 150 exam at the embassy in New Delhi and wait up to 90 days. Family members have free access to the labour market, and Indian certificates need the MEA apostille.
Netherlands Partner and family residence permit: quick answers
Who qualifies as a family member? The spouse, registered partner or unmarried partner in a durable exclusive relationship (both aged 21 or over for partners, 18 for spouses) of a Dutch national or a resident with a non-temporary permit (highly skilled migrant, Blue Card, work, study for certain cases, permanent residence), and minor children of either partner with the other parent's consent. Parents and adult children qualify only in exceptional cases under Article 8 ECHR. Both partners must sign the relationship declaration, and a marriage in India must be registered and apostilled.
What does it cost? EUR 254 per family member for the IND application covering the MVV and the residence permit in 2026, paid by the sponsor. Partners who must take the civic integration exam abroad pay EUR 150 at the embassy (plus about EUR 100 for the self-study package); family members of highly skilled migrants, Blue Card holders, researchers and students are exempt. The MEA apostille costs about INR 50 per document plus agency fees, and the tuberculosis test is free.
How long does it take from India? Two weeks for family members of highly skilled migrants and other recognised-sponsor employees, filed together with or after the worker; up to 90 days (typically six to twelve weeks) for partners of Dutch nationals and other residents, after the civic integration exam is passed. The embassy issues the MVV within about ten days of the approval letter, and the residence card is ready within two weeks of arrival. Allow three to six months including the exam.
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Entry visa (MVV) plus residence permit for stay with a partner or parent, matching the sponsor's permit (5 years for partners of Dutch nationals) |
| Government fee | EUR 254 per person in 2026; civic integration exam abroad EUR 150 where required |
| Processing | 2 weeks via a recognised sponsor; up to 90 days otherwise; MVV within about 10 days |
| Sponsor's income | EUR 2,294.40 gross a month excluding holiday allowance (1 Jan to 30 Jun 2026); EUR 2,337.00 (1 Jul to 31 Dec 2026); 12 months ahead |
| Civic integration exam abroad | Required for partners of Dutch nationals and most residents; exempt for families of highly skilled migrants, Blue Card holders, researchers and students |
| Work rights | Free access to the labour market (arbeid vrij toegestaan) |
| Documents | MEA apostille on marriage and birth certificates; relationship declaration; antecedents certificate |
| Verified | 29 Oct 2026 against ind.nl fees and required amounts for 2026 |
Who qualifies, and how the income and integration tests work
| Sponsor | Income test | Civic integration exam abroad | Decision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highly skilled migrant, Blue Card, researcher | Met by the sponsor's own salary threshold | Exempt | About 2 weeks (recognised sponsor) |
| Other work permit or self-employed resident | EUR 2,294.40 / EUR 2,337.00 a month, independent and sustainable for 12 months | Required (unless exempt by nationality or diploma) | Up to 90 days |
| Dutch national or permanent resident | EUR 2,294.40 / EUR 2,337.00 a month (minimum wage); 12 months ahead or 3 years' history | Required for partners aged 18 to 65 | Up to 90 days |
| Student | Study norm plus the family norm; rarely met | Exempt | About 2 weeks |
The income test is the statutory minimum wage including holiday allowance, expressed by the IND as EUR 2,294.40 gross a month excluding holiday allowance for January to June 2026 and EUR 2,337.00 from July, from employment with a contract of at least twelve months (or a flexible contract with three years of history), self-employment with eighteen months of accounts, or a combination; highly skilled migrants meet it automatically. The sponsor must also not have received social assistance in the last three years.
Partners of Dutch nationals and of most residents aged 18 to 65 sit the civic integration exam abroad (basisexamen inburgering buitenland) at the embassy in New Delhi: three computer-based parts testing spoken Dutch at A1, reading and knowledge of Dutch society, EUR 150 per attempt with a self-study package from DUO. Family members of highly skilled migrants, Blue Card holders, researchers and students are exempt because the sponsor's stay is classed as temporary, which is why most Indian families in the Netherlands never take it. Indian marriage and birth certificates need the MEA apostille and an English, Dutch, French or German translation; unmarried partners prove a durable relationship with cohabitation and contact evidence.
Fees and what they cover
| Item | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IND application: MVV + residence permit, per family member (2026) | EUR 254 | Paid by the sponsor; not refunded |
| Civic integration exam abroad | EUR 150 per attempt | Partners of Dutch nationals and most residents; exempt for HSM families |
| DUO self-study package | About EUR 100 | Optional but recommended |
| MEA apostille | INR 50 per document plus agency fees | Marriage and birth certificates |
| Translation | INR 500 to 1,500 per page | Into English, Dutch, French or German if needed |
| Tuberculosis test | Free at the GGD | Within 3 months of arrival |
| Dutch health insurance | About EUR 150 a month per adult | Mandatory on arrival |
Vistolane shows the EUR 254 IND fee per person as listed and the exam, apostille and translation costs separately.
How the application runs, step by step
- Legalise the relationship documents. MEA apostille on marriage and birth certificates; translation if not in English; relationship declaration signed by both partners.
- Pass the civic integration exam abroad, if required. Book at the embassy in New Delhi; EUR 150; results in about 8 weeks; exempt for families of highly skilled migrants, Blue Card holders, researchers and students.
- Sponsor files the TEV application. On the IND portal (recognised sponsor) or by post with the income documents (contract, payslips, employer declaration or accounts); pay EUR 254 per person.
- IND decision and MVV. 2 weeks via a recognised sponsor, up to 90 days otherwise; collect the MVV at the embassy or consulate within 3 months; sticker in about 10 days.
- Arrive and register. BSN at the municipality within 5 days, residence card at the IND desk, TB test, health insurance; civic integration in the Netherlands within 3 years for partners of Dutch nationals and permanent residents.
Timeline for an Indian family
| Stage | Typical time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Apostille and translation | 2 to 4 weeks | In India |
| Civic integration exam abroad | 4 to 10 weeks including preparation | Where required |
| IND decision | 2 weeks (recognised sponsor) or up to 90 days | Income and relationship checks |
| MVV at the embassy | About 10 days | Book on approval |
| Arrival to residence card | 1 to 2 weeks | BSN, card, TB test |
Families of highly skilled migrants usually file together with the worker and travel together within four to eight weeks of the contract; partners of Dutch nationals should plan three to six months.
After arrival: work, school, integration and settlement
Family members receive permits endorsed 'arbeid vrij toegestaan' and may take any job or start a business without a work permit; children attend Dutch schools free and the family must hold Dutch health insurance within four months. Permits are renewed with the sponsor's (partners of Dutch nationals receive five years), and after five years a partner can apply for permanent residence or an independent permit, earlier after the relationship ends in some cases.
Partners of Dutch nationals and permanent residents must complete civic integration in the Netherlands within three years (B1 Dutch under the 2022 Act); families of highly skilled migrants are exempt until they apply for permanent residence or citizenship, when the A2 or B1 diploma is required. Naturalisation after five years requires renouncing Indian citizenship unless married to a Dutch national.
Document checklist: relationship
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| Marriage certificate with MEA apostille | Registered in India; translated if not in English |
| Relationship declaration | Signed by both partners (IND form) |
| Evidence of a durable relationship (unmarried partners) | Cohabitation, joint finances, contact |
| Birth certificates of children with MEA apostille | Other parent's consent and ID if not travelling |
Sponsor
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| Residence permit or Dutch passport | Non-temporary purpose |
| Income: contract, 3 payslips, employer declaration | EUR 2,294.40 / EUR 2,337.00 a month for 12 months; or 3 years' history; or 18 months of accounts |
| Sponsor declaration (appendix) | IND form |
| Civic integration exam result (partner) | Where required |
Family member
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| Passport valid for the permit | Copy of all pages |
| Antecedents certificate | Signed |
| Photo meeting Dutch requirements | Supplied to the sponsor |
Why applications on this route get refused, and the fix
Exam not passed
Partner failed or skipped the civic integration exam abroad.
The fix. Prepare with the DUO package and retake; check whether the sponsor's status gives an exemption.
Relationship not evidenced
Unregistered marriage or thin evidence for unmarried partners.
The fix. Register and apostille the marriage, or compile cohabitation and contact evidence.
Certificates not legalised
No apostille or translation.
The fix. Apostille through the MEA and translate; Vistolane arranges both.
Child's other parent's consent missing
Minor filed without the non-travelling parent's signed consent.
The fix. Obtain the consent with ID, or a custody order.
Official sources
Questions, answered
How much is a Netherlands dependent visa for Indians?
EUR 254 per family member in 2026 for the IND application covering the MVV and residence permit, plus EUR 150 for the civic integration exam abroad where required; families of highly skilled migrants are exempt from the exam.
What income does my sponsor need for a Netherlands partner visa?
EUR 2,294.40 gross a month excluding holiday allowance from January to June 2026 and EUR 2,337.00 from July, independent and sustainable for 12 months; highly skilled migrants meet it through their own salary threshold.
Do I need to take the Dutch civic integration exam abroad?
Yes if your partner is a Dutch national, permanent resident or regular worker and you are aged 18 to 65; no if your partner is a highly skilled migrant, EU Blue Card holder, researcher or student.
Can my spouse work in the Netherlands on a family permit?
Yes. Family permits carry free access to the labour market, so your spouse may take any job or start a business without a work permit.
Does Vistolane handle Netherlands family visas?
Yes. Vistolane arranges the apostille and translations, prepares the sponsor's income file and the relationship declaration, books the exam and the MVV and shows the EUR 254 IND fee as listed.