Netherlands Family Reunification for Nigerians

Route overview

Who this route is for

Nigerians preparing to join a spouse, registered partner, unmarried partner, parent, or minor child in the Netherlands where the sponsor is Dutch or has a Dutch residence permit and the official IND category fits.

Who this route is not for

People whose relationship category is unclear, whose sponsor status is uncertain, whose Nigerian civil documents have name or date conflicts, or whose situation needs regulated legal advice before using an IND form.

Choose your situation

Pick the category closest to your situation.

Eligibility overview

The IND family route is based on the relationship category, sponsor status, valid passports, income where required, public-order checks, and the correct MVV or residence-permit process. Nigerians usually need to treat the MVV and residence permit as one combined entry-and-residence process unless the IND source says another route applies.

Step-by-step preparation

1. Identify the exact IND family category before choosing a form.
2. Confirm whether the sponsor applies in the Netherlands or the Nigerian family member applies themselves.
3. Check whether MVV, civic integration abroad, TB follow-up, and biometrics apply.
4. Collect relationship, sponsor-status, income, and family-role evidence from the current IND checklist.
5. Prepare Nigerian civil documents early, including legalization and translation where the official source requires it.
6. Check the latest IND form version, appendices, fees, and decision instructions before submission.
7. Keep a copy of every official page, form, and checklist used for the application preparation file.

Forms and documents

Official forms

• IND form 7518 – Application for the purpose of residence of family members and relatives (sponsor)
• IND partner online application where the sponsor uses DigiD
• IND B07001E – residence with married or registered partner
• IND B07002E – residence with unmarried partner
• IND B07004E – minor child to stay with parent
• IND 9511 or 7525 – foreign national application where the family member applies themselves

Required appendices

• Appendix Antecedents Certificate 7601 for foreign nationals aged over 12 where required
• Appendix TB test referral form 7604 where a TB test is required
• Appendix Civic integration examination abroad 7606 where exemption or dispensation is claimed
• Appendix Declaration of civil status 7609 where the IND child/partner route requests it

Document requirements

Usually involved: valid passport, proof of relationship, marriage or registered partnership certificate, unmarried partner evidence, birth certificate, parental authority or consent evidence for children, sponsor residence or nationality evidence, income evidence where required, official translations and legalization where required, and the current IND form or online checklist.

Nigerian-specific issues

Nigerian documents need careful consistency before submission. Marriage certificates, NPC birth certificates or birth attestations, age declarations, single-status or unmarried certificates, affidavits, change-of-name evidence, custody orders, consent from the parent remaining in Nigeria, and court documents may matter depending on the IND category. NetherlandsWorldwide confirms that Nigerian documents for use in the Netherlands must be legalised by Nigeria MFA, and English documents do not usually need translation for the Netherlands.

Common mistakes

• Using a sponsor form when the foreign national must use a different IND form.
• Missing the MVV logic for a Nigerian applicant outside the Netherlands.
• Treating a traditional or informal relationship document as enough without checking the IND evidence list.
• Skipping civic integration abroad where the IND says it applies.
• Forgetting the Antecedents Certificate for an applicant older than 12.
• Submitting unlegalised, incomplete, or inconsistent Nigerian civil documents.
• For child routes, missing parental authority, custody, or consent evidence.
• Paying anyone before checking the current IND source and form version.

Official sources

IND – Residence permit for partner ↗IND – Residence permit for minor child to stay with parent ↗IND form 7518 – Application for family members and relatives, sponsor ↗IND – Translation and legalisation of documents ↗NetherlandsWorldwide – Legalisation of documents from Nigeria ↗IND – Civic Integration Exam Abroad ↗

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