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.
The short version with the price card and checklist is on the Netherlands family visa route page. This article is the long version: who counts as family, how the income test and the exam work, which documents need the apostille, the timeline and the reasons applications are refused.
Who qualifies for a Netherlands family visa?
The Netherlands family visa for Indians covers 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, permanent residence, and study in limited cases), and minor children of either partner with the other parent's consent. Parents and adult children qualify only in exceptional cases under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Both partners sign the IND relationship declaration, and a marriage in India must be registered and apostilled.
| 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 |
Most Indian families in the Netherlands fall into the first row: the worker holds the permit described in the Netherlands highly skilled migrant guide, the family is filed with or after the worker through the recognised sponsor, and nobody takes the exam.
How does the income test work?
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. It must be independent and sustainable: 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, because their own threshold is far higher. The sponsor must also not have received social assistance in the last three years, and the amount does not rise with the number of children, unlike the Italian and Spanish tests.
What is the civic integration exam abroad, and who is exempt?
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 before the permit is granted: 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 for about EUR 100 and results in about eight weeks. 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. Partners of Dutch nationals and permanent residents then complete civic integration in the Netherlands within three years at B1 Dutch under the 2022 Act.
Which documents need the apostille?
Indian marriage and birth certificates need the apostille of the Ministry of External Affairs and a translation into English, Dutch, French or German if not already in one of those languages. Unmarried partners prove a durable relationship with cohabitation, joint finances and contact evidence; a child travelling without the other parent needs that parent's signed consent and ID or a custody order. Each family member signs an antecedents certificate and supplies a photo meeting Dutch requirements.
How much does it cost?
| 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 on the Netherlands destination page.
How does the application run?
- Legalise the relationship documents: MEA apostille on marriage and birth certificates, translation if not in English, and the 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 eight weeks; exempt for families of highly skilled migrants, Blue Card holders, researchers and students.
- The sponsor files the TEV application on the IND portal (recognised sponsor) or by post with the income documents (contract, payslips, employer declaration or accounts) and pays EUR 254 per person.
- The IND decides in two weeks via a recognised sponsor or up to 90 days otherwise; collect the MVV at the embassy or consulate within three months, sticker in about ten days.
- Arrive, register for a BSN within five days, collect the residence card at the IND desk, take the TB test and arrange health insurance; partners of Dutch nationals and permanent residents start civic integration in the Netherlands.
How long does it take?
| 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. The processing times page tracks the current IND turnaround.
What happens after arrival?
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. Families of highly skilled migrants are exempt from civic integration 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.
Why are Netherlands family visas refused, and what fixes each reason?
Income not sustainable. A contract under twelve months with no history, or self-employment under eighteen months. Wait for a twelve-month contract or three years of history; highly skilled migrants are exempt.
Exam not passed. The partner failed or skipped the civic integration exam abroad. Prepare with the DUO package and retake; check whether the sponsor's status gives an exemption.
Relationship not evidenced. An unregistered marriage or thin evidence for unmarried partners. Register and apostille the marriage, or compile cohabitation and contact evidence.
Certificates not legalised. No apostille or translation. Apostille through the MEA and translate; Vistolane arranges both.
Child's other parent's consent missing. A minor filed without the non-travelling parent's signed consent. Obtain the consent with ID, or a custody order.
How Vistolane files it
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. Start with the free eligibility check or the Netherlands family visa route page. Families comparing European options can read the Germany spouse and family reunion visa guide and the Italy family reunification guide.
