Family reunification refused in the Netherlands: what can I do?
First identify which application IND refused and the remedy stated in the decision. Refusal of an MVV for asylum family reunification (nareis) can be challenged by objection; this differs from a court appeal against refusal of your own asylum application. Match each refusal reason to your response and evidence and protect the stated deadline.
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Detailed explanation, checklist and sources
On this page
1. Identify the application and procedure
This page concerns a first refusal of Dutch family reunification. Record whether it concerns an MVV for nareis, regular residence with a partner or another family route. Your residence status and application date may matter. IND specifies an objection for a refused nareis MVV. If your objection has already been refused, or this is your own asylum application, a court appeal may be the route; do not use an objection letter for that.
2. Record the deadline and any urgency
Keep the entire decision, attachments and evidence of notification. Copy the response deadline and correct recipient from the decision. An appointment, telephone call or new application does not automatically protect that deadline. If someone must leave the Netherlands or cannot await the procedure here, seek specialist help immediately and discuss interim relief; IND says to act within 24 hours in that situation.
3. Separate the refusal reasons
List each reason separately: for example identity, family relationship, missing documents, application timing or a condition for this residence route. Income conditions for regular partner applications do not automatically apply in the same way to nareis. Record the precise passage and rule IND uses. Where nareis rules changed, have status, application date and transitional rules assessed; this preparation does not decide which rules apply to your family.
IND · Gezinshereniging asiel en documenten ↗
4. Link each reason to evidence
For each point write what IND concludes, what you believe is different and which document supports it. Examples include a certificate already submitted, a translation, receipt or requested additional document. Check IND requirements for the particular country and procedure. If you cannot obtain a document, explain why and the efforts made; do not invent evidence or assume an alternative will automatically be accepted.
5. Prepare the correct response
If objection is the correct route, the letter needs your name and address, date, the decision challenged, reasons and signature. Include a copy of the decision and relevant evidence following current IND instructions. The draft below helps organise your response; it is neither filed nor legally approved. Have the procedure, grounds and any required authorisation checked. Keep sending proof; downloading a draft does not protect a deadline.
6. Check receipt and follow-up
Check the acknowledgement and answer requests for additional information within the stated time. Keep refusal, response and evidence together. If the objection is refused too, immediately read the appeal instructions. Our assistance request can seek assessment by a suitable partner; submitting it does not mean someone is handling the case. Agree explicitly who will take each step and when.
Draft objection to a first refusal
Use only if your decision specifies objection to IND. Complete every field and ground and have the draft checked, including whether a Dutch translation is needed. Not for a court appeal. This download neither sends anything nor protects a deadline.
Edit your draftWord
Your edits stay on this page and are not automatically saved or sent. Complete every placeholder.
Does “asylum” mean I must immediately appeal a nareis refusal?
Not simply because of that word. IND specifies objection for a refused MVV for nareis. This differs from a court appeal against refusal of your own asylum application. Read the remedy instructions in your decision and have uncertainty assessed immediately.
Documents to prepare
Prepare your next stepFill in and save · Word
Tick what you have checked or collected. Note what is missing and take your overview to a meeting.
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Item 1 / 8 · Where do you stand with this item?
Application type, residence status and application date
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Your timeline and evidence
List events and contacts. Note where you keep the evidence; no upload is needed.
What goes in my timeline?
Record what happened, when, the response and where to find the letter, message or photo. Mark uncertain dates.
Is my evidence sent?
No. You only note where it is kept. No files are uploaded or sent automatically.
How do I save my timeline?
Your entries are not saved automatically. Choose Save and continue later to store this preparation, including your timeline, in My overview. Wait for confirmation and save new changes again. You can also download a Word file without an account.
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0 / 8 · Checked or collected
For each event, note the date, what happened and where the evidence is kept. Example: 3 October — letter received — correspondence folder.
Describe the solution you would like, such as an explanation of a deduction and repayment of the outstanding amount.
For example: which document is missing, who can provide it and what should I do first?
Record the date and its source. If unknown, note this and check promptly. This tool does not calculate or monitor deadlines.
After your conversation
These are your own notes. Confirm agreements with the other person; these notes do not prove their agreement.
This is your preparation, not a submitted request, objection or legally reviewed document. A tick records only your own progress. Check the procedure and deadline in the original letter.
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Clear entries
Download anything you want to keep first. Clearing cannot be undone.
- Application type, residence status and application date
- Full decision, notification and response deadline
- Each refusal reason and your specific response
- Evidence for each reason, translations and missing documents
- Correct recipient, filing route and any authorisation
- Sending proof, acknowledgement and agreed next step
Contact with a lawyer
You can use the chat and information without a phone number. A contact request requires a phone number, a verified email address and your wish for telephone contact. Our team assesses which partner fits your question. Data is shared only under the stated consent procedure. A partner or engagement is not guaranteed.
View the current application processSources
Need personal assistance? Request a lawyer through our chat. We explain the next step; submitting a request does not engage a lawyer. The links below support the legal information.
IND · Bezwaar en beroep ↗IND · Gezinshereniging asiel en documenten ↗Rechtspraak · Gewijzigde nareisregels en oudere aanvragen ↗IND · Verblijfsvergunning voor partner ↗Sources may be in Dutch. General information about Dutch law, not individual legal advice.