Netherlands · Family reunification
Join Your Partner in the Netherlands
Your partner already lives in the Netherlands. Here's how the family reunification visa gets you there, and lets you work once you arrive.
Move to be with your spouse or partner, then build your own life once you land.
The basics
One sponsor, one relationship, one permit
The Netherlands lets you join a spouse, registered partner, or unmarried partner living there. Your partner sponsors you: they apply to the IND, prove the relationship is real, and show they earn enough for you both. As a U.S. citizen you skip the MVV visa and settle the permit after you arrive.
The numbers that decide it
~2,300 euro/mo
Gross income your sponsor must earn
Full Dutch minimum wage
21+
Minimum age for both of you
On the filing date
90 days
The IND's legal decision window
Often faster online
Work freely
No separate work permit once approved
Any job or freelance
Your career
You're free to work, hunt, or freelance
Once your permit is granted, your card reads "work freely permitted," so you can take any job, freelance, or start a business, no work permit needed. You're not tied to one employer like work-visa holders are. The catch: you can't work until it's approved, so plan for one income during the wait.
Family Reunification Visa (Partner/Spouse Route)
Join a spouse, registered partner, unmarried partner, or parent who is a Dutch citizen or holds a valid Dutch residence permit (including Highly Skilled Migrant status). Most Americans apply through the combined entry-visa + residence-permit ("TEV") procedure, filed by the Dutch-based sponsor with the IND. The sponsor must meet a minimum income threshold and prove the relationship is genuine and durable; U.S. nationals are exempt from the mandatory pre-departure civic integration exam and from needing the MVV entry visa itself, though a residence permit is still required.
- Government cost
- $290
- Processing time
- ~90 days
- Timeline
- Up to 90 days for an IND decision (often faster for complete online applications), plus up to 3 months to collect the entry visa and travel
- Difficulty
- Easy
Key requirements
- A sponsor in the Netherlands who is a Dutch national or holds a valid Dutch residence permit (e.g., Highly Skilled Migrant, EU Blue Card)
- A genuine, durable relationship: marriage/registered-partnership certificate (apostilled + sworn-translated) or proof of a committed unmarried partnership
- Sponsor income at or above the IND threshold — about €2,337/month gross (partner sponsor, H2 2026), reassessed each January and July
- Both partners generally 21+ (18+ if married while both living abroad)
- Suitable housing, with both partners registered at the same municipal address
- Valid passport for both sponsor and applicant (6+ months validity at entry-visa collection)
- U.S. citizens are exempt from the civic integration exam abroad and from needing the MVV entry visa (residence permit still required)
Before you commit
The parts people trip on
The relationship test is strict: you need an apostilled, sworn-translated certificate, and the IND rejects anything that looks like a sham. Both of you must be 21 and share a registered address. Housing is the real headache, since the rental market is tight and pricey. The entry exam is waived for Americans, but Dutch still comes later for permanent residence.
Scouting Trips
See the Netherlands like a local before taking the leap.
- We walk neighborhoods
- Meet local experts
- Tour healthcare facilities
- Explore housing options
- Help you understand what daily life actually feels like
You're not alone
Real people who've done this move
Expatsi works with vetted Netherlands experts who help with paperwork, housing, and finding work.
Jana Sanchez
Career Coaching
A career coach for Americans in Europe, focused on the job market and work permits.
GTFO Tours - Netherlands
Netherlands Tours, Visas & Relocation
Relocation coaches who handle housing, schools, healthcare, and spouse employment.
Michelle Pomlade
Netherlands Local Guide
An American who made the move herself and builds you a pre-move checklist.
Where couples actually settle
Rotterdam
Modern and affordable
Bold architecture, a big port economy, and rents below Amsterdam.
Utrecht
Central and walkable
Canals, students, and trains to anywhere in under an hour.
The Hague
Jobs and the coast
Government, international courts, and the beach fifteen minutes away.
Common questions
Can this visa lead to permanent residence?
Yes. After five years of continuous legal residence, you can apply for permanent residence or Dutch citizenship, as long as you meet the language and civic integration requirements. After the relationship period, you may also qualify for your own independent permit.
Can I work in the Netherlands on this visa?
Yes, once your permit is approved. Your residence card reads "work freely permitted," which means any job, freelancing, or your own business, with no separate work permit. You just can't work while the application is still being decided.
How much does my partner need to earn to sponsor me?
Your sponsor needs a stable, independent income of at least the full Dutch minimum wage, roughly 2,300 euro a month gross in 2026. The figure resets every January and July, and the income has to be expected to last at least 12 more months. You can't combine both of your incomes for the first permit.
Do I need to pass a Dutch exam before I move?
No, U.S. citizens are exempt from the civic integration exam abroad and don't need the MVV entry visa either. You'll still need a residence permit, and you'll integrate in Dutch later if you want permanent residence or citizenship.
Do unmarried or same-sex partners qualify?
Yes. The Netherlands recognizes marriages, registered partnerships, and durable unmarried relationships, and same-sex couples get the exact same treatment. Unmarried partners sign a relationship statement and show the relationship is genuine and lasting.
How long does the IND take to decide?
The IND has a legal limit of 90 days, and complete online applications are often faster. Build in extra time to gather apostilled documents and sworn translations before you file, since missing paperwork is the most common reason for a delay.
Ready to close the distance?
Speak to an Expatsi advisor about next steps.
Why not you?