🎉 Moving to the Netherlands with Your Partner? Here’s My Experience with the Dependent Visa Process

First of all—congratulations!
Whether you’re planning or already in the middle of moving to the Netherlands with your partner, you’re about to take a big, exciting step. I remember going through this process for my wife and, honestly, I had more questions than answers at the start. I spent hours browsing the internet, reading outdated forums, and dealing with a lot of uncertainty.

That’s exactly why I’m writing this blog—to save you time, reduce confusion, and share my personal journey so you can move forward with more clarity and confidence.

⚠️ Disclaimer

I’m not a visa or immigration consultant. I’m simply sharing my experience as a non-EU (Indian) resident navigating the process. Please consult with IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service) or a qualified immigration lawyer for official guidance.

💡 Understanding the Basics of Dependent Visa

When it comes to applying for a dependent visa to the Netherlands, there are usually two ways this happens:

You file the application yourself
Your employer (or your partner’s employer) files it on your behalf

On top of that, there are two categories of applicants:

Those who need an MVV sticker to enter the Netherlands
Those who don’t need MVV

Let’s start with the MVV part, as that caused the most confusion for me.

🚪 What is MVV, and Do You Need It?

The MVV (Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf) is a long-stay entry visa. Whether your partner needs it depends on their nationality and residence status.

✅ No MVV Required

If your partner is already an EU resident (not just a tourist or visitor), they usually don’t need an MVV.
This was the case for my wife—she had EU residency, so she was able to directly enter the Netherlands and collect her residence permit (RP card) after arrival.

❌ MVV Required

If your partner is not an EU resident (for example, an Indian national living in India), they’ll most likely need an MVV sticker in their passport before they can travel to the Netherlands.

💡 When in doubt, reach out to IND for clarification. They are helpful and will guide you correctly.

📋 Documents You’ll Need

You can find the official checklist by visiting the IND website. You’ll answer a few questions and get a personalized list.

At a high level, here’s what you’ll need:

Your passport + your partner’s passport
Copy of your Dutch residence card
Employment contract or statement from your company
Proof of visa application fee (paid by you or your company)
Marriage certificate (apostilled or legalized)
IND-specific signed forms

You’ll probably already have most documents. The only major task is handling the marriage certificate—and this is where things can get tricky.

💍 Marriage Certificate Legalization – My Experience

Being from India, I had my marriage certificate apostilled in India—which is necessary. But here’s the catch:

If your apostille is older than 6 months, the Dutch system may not accept it as valid.
In that case, you’ll need to get it attested at the VFS center in the Netherlands.

Here’s how that worked for me:

I booked an appointment with VFS Netherlands
Submitted my apostilled (but laminated!) marriage certificate
They initially hesitated due to lamination (tip: avoid lamination altogether)
After discussions and calls to the Indian Embassy, VFS accepted it with a condition—it would be attested only after embassy approval
A week later, I received the attested document by post

📝 Note: You don’t get a new certificate—just an attestation on the existing document. So plan ahead, because this process takes time.

🧾 Other Notes

No one has asked me for a birth certificate so far (just FYI).
Always keep digital copies of all documents—Google Drive or Dropbox works well.

🧠 Filing Options: Self vs. Company

🧍 If You’re Filing Yourself:

You handle the application, documents, and payment
Fee (as of now): €207

🏢 If Your Company Is Filing:

They’ll usually manage everything, including legal support
You just need to submit your documents on time
They typically cover the cost too
Much easier and less stressful

⏱ How Long Does the Process Take?

Here’s a rough timeline based on my experience:

Step	Time Estimate
Apostille/Legalization in India	2–3 weeks
Attestation at VFS Netherlands (if needed)	1 week (after appointment)
VFS Appointment for Document Submission	Depends on slot availability
Embassy sends attested documents to your address	Within 1 week
IND Processing for RP (via MyIND)	4–12 weeks
MVV Appointment in India (if applicable)	Up to 1 month
Passport with MVV delivered	Within 1 week

If your spouse is already working in the EU, they can skip MVV and some of these steps.

🛬 Arrival in the Netherlands

Once your partner’s visa is approved and they arrive, the final step is to collect the residence permit (RP card) from the local IND office.

That’s it—you’re now officially reunited in the Netherlands. 🎉
Enjoy the journey ahead!

🤝 Final Thoughts

Moving abroad as a couple is a big decision and comes with its fair share of logistics—but it’s also deeply rewarding. I hope sharing my journey helps you feel a little less overwhelmed and a lot more prepared.

If you found this blog helpful, feel free to explore my other posts where I share:

Travel tips across Europe
Money-saving tricks in the Netherlands
Dutch bureaucracy survival guides

🛑 One Last Reminder

Again, this is based on my personal experience as an Indian professional in the Netherlands.
For anything official—always consult IND or a certified immigration expert.

If you have questions or want to share your experience, drop them in the comments. I’d love to hear from you!

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