Best Dependent Visa Lawyers in Beilen

About Dependent Visa Law in Beilen, Netherlands

In the Netherlands, what many people call a dependent visa is legally a residence permit for family reunification or family formation. If you live in or around Beilen in the municipality of Midden-Drenthe and you want your spouse, registered or unmarried partner, or minor child to live with you, Dutch immigration law sets out the conditions. The Immigration and Naturalisation Service, known as the IND, decides on applications, while your local municipality handles registration after arrival.

Family members of Dutch nationals and non-EU residents generally use Dutch national rules. Family members of EU or EEA or Swiss citizens can often use EU free movement rules. The route you choose affects the conditions, documents, and timeline.

Most applicants from outside the EU need a provisional residence permit called an MVV to enter, often through a combined entry-and-residence procedure known as TEV. After arrival, family members register locally, provide biometrics to the IND, and receive a residence card. The permit length, work rights, and renewal rules depend on the sponsor and the family relationship.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Many family applications are straightforward, but legal help can be crucial in situations that carry risk or complexity. You may benefit from a lawyer if any of the following apply.

You or your partner are not married or registered and must prove a durable and exclusive relationship with evidence of cohabitation or regular visits and communication.

The sponsor has non-standard income, is self-employed, recently changed jobs, works on flexible or temporary contracts, or has income below the required threshold. Proving sustainable and sufficient income can be challenging.

There is a prior immigration refusal, visa overstay, removal order, or criminal record that could trigger inadmissibility or extra scrutiny.

Children are involved, especially stepchildren, adopted children, or children where the other parent must give consent for relocation.

The sponsor holds a student permit, is an asylum status holder, or is an EU citizen using EU law. Each situation has different conditions and work rights.

There is a need for an exemption from the civic integration exam abroad or the TB test, or there are medical or humanitarian factors.

You want to appeal a refusal, respond to an IND request for information, or request a provisional measure if separation would cause hardship.

You are facing relationship breakdown, domestic violence, or the death of the sponsor and need advice on retaining or changing your residence right.

Local Laws Overview

Eligibility. Spouses, registered partners, unmarried partners, and minor children commonly qualify. In limited cases, adult dependent children or parents may qualify under strict criteria. Partners must normally be at least 21 years old for national family rules.

Sponsor requirements. The sponsor in the Netherlands usually must have lawful residence, intend to live together at the same Dutch address, and have sufficient and sustainable income. Income is measured against the legal minimum wage and must be durable, often shown through an employment contract and recent payslips or confirmed long-term self-employment. Some categories have different income rules, especially under EU free movement law.

MVV and TEV. Many nationals need an MVV entry visa. The combined TEV application allows the sponsor in the Netherlands to apply both for entry and residence in one procedure. Some nationalities are exempt from the MVV requirement and can apply from within the Netherlands if lawful presence allows.

Civic integration exam abroad. Spouses and partners from non-exempt countries generally must pass the basic civic integration exam at a Dutch mission before the MVV is issued. Children are usually exempt. There are medical and hardship exceptions in limited cases.

Biometrics and TB test. After arrival, the family member provides biometrics to the IND and may need to take a TB test with the local public health service. Exemptions apply for many nationalities and categories.

Municipal registration in Beilen. After arrival, the family member must register in the Municipal Personal Records Database at the municipality of Midden-Drenthe to obtain a BSN number. Bring passports and proof of lawful residence and housing, such as a rental contract or permission from the main occupant.

Processing time and fees. The statutory decision period is commonly up to 90 days, but backlogs can extend the timeline. Government fees apply and change annually. Fee reductions or exemptions exist in certain situations.

Validity and renewal. Family permits are typically tied to the sponsor and the relationship. Keep your registration current, maintain health insurance, and apply to renew before expiry. After several years of lawful residence, some people can apply for permanent residence or naturalisation if they meet integration and other conditions.

Work and study. Work rights appear on the residence card as a labor market annotation. In many cases, partners may work without a work permit, but rules vary, particularly for family members of students. Children can attend school once registered locally.

Travel. A valid residence card plus passport allows short stays in other Schengen countries, subject to the 90-180 day rule. Keep your Dutch address registration and residence card valid to avoid issues when reentering.

Local logistics. People living in Beilen often use regional IND service points for biometrics and card pickup by appointment. International welcome centers in the North and IND desks in nearby cities commonly serve residents of Drenthe. Always follow the instructions on your IND decision letter for where to go.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can be sponsored as a dependent

Commonly eligible family members include a spouse or registered partner, an unmarried partner in a durable and exclusive relationship, and minor children. Adult children or parents are only eligible in narrowly defined situations with strict dependency proofs. Age and relationship evidence requirements apply.

Do we need to be married

No. Unmarried partners can qualify if the relationship is genuine, exclusive, and durable. You must usually show a history of living together or regular in-person visits, communication records, and an intention to live together at the same Dutch address.

Do I need an MVV to enter the Netherlands

Many non-EU nationals need an MVV entry visa issued by a Dutch embassy or consulate. Some nationalities are exempt. If you need an MVV, your sponsor typically files a combined TEV application in the Netherlands first, and you collect the MVV once approved.

What income does the sponsor need

The sponsor normally must have sufficient and sustainable income at or above the legal minimum for the household size. This is proven with a contract and recent payslips, or reliable self-employment evidence. Exceptions or alternative proofs may apply under EU law or for certain categories.

Is the civic integration exam abroad required

Spouses and partners from non-exempt countries typically must pass the basic exam before the MVV can be issued. Children are generally exempt. Some applicants can get exemptions based on education, integration, or medical reasons.

How long does the application take

The IND usually decides within 90 days, but timelines vary based on workload and case complexity. Plan for several months from filing to arrival, especially if an MVV is required.

Can I work in the Netherlands as a dependent

Work rights depend on your specific residence category and will be shown on your residence card. Many partners have open labor market access, but some categories, such as family of students, can face restrictions. Always check the annotation on your card.

What documents should we prepare

Expect to provide passports, legalized and apostilled civil status documents such as marriage or birth certificates, proof of relationship and cohabitation or regular contact, sponsor income and employment records, housing proof, and health insurance. Non-Dutch documents often require official translations.

What if our application is refused

You usually have the right to file an objection and submit additional evidence within a set deadline. In some cases you can appeal to a court if the objection is rejected. A lawyer can assess the refusal grounds and the best strategy.

What happens if we separate or if the sponsor loses status

Because family permits are tied to the relationship and sponsor, separation or loss of the sponsor’s status can affect the dependent’s right to stay. There are protections in certain circumstances, such as after a long relationship, in cases of domestic violence, or for parents of Dutch children. Seek legal advice promptly.

Additional Resources

Immigration and Naturalisation Service IND for applications, biometrics, decisions, and residence cards.

Municipality of Midden-Drenthe for registration in the BRP, BSN issuance, and address updates after you move to or within Beilen.

International Welcome Center North in the Northern region for practical settling-in support and certain IND services by appointment.

Public Health Service GGD Drenthe for TB testing where required and general public health matters.

DUO for information on the basic civic integration exam abroad and integration requirements after arrival.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs embassies and consulates for MVV visa issuance and exam administration outside the Netherlands.

The Legal Aid Board and Het Juridisch Loket for information about legal aid and low-cost legal guidance if you qualify.

Next Steps

Clarify your route. Determine whether you will apply under Dutch national family rules or under EU free movement rules. Your nationality, your sponsor’s status, and where you live now will guide this choice.

Check eligibility and timelines. Confirm that the relationship meets the legal definitions and that the sponsor meets residence and income conditions. If an MVV is required, plan for the basic civic integration exam abroad and embassy processing time.

Gather documents early. Order official, recent civil status documents and arrange legalization or apostille and certified translations. Collect sponsor income proofs, housing documents, and relationship evidence such as joint leases, travel stamps, and communication logs.

Coordinate local logistics. Plan for municipal registration in Midden-Drenthe soon after arrival, secure health insurance, and book any required TB test with the local public health service.

Seek legal advice where needed. If you face complex facts such as non-standard income, past refusals, stepchildren, or potential exemptions, consult a lawyer experienced in Dutch immigration and family reunification. Bring all documents and timelines to your intake meeting.

Submit a complete application. Incomplete filings cause delays. Respond promptly to any IND requests for additional information and keep copies of everything you submit.

Prepare for arrival. Once approved, arrange travel, collect the MVV if applicable, and attend your IND biometrics and card pick-up appointments as scheduled. Register in Beilen, obtain your BSN, and review the labor market annotation on your residence card before starting work.