IND takes steps to expedite family reunification procedures

An asylum seeker with a residence permit can bring his family members – partner, spouse and children – to the Netherlands. The application for family reunification must be reviewed by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (De Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst, IND) within six months.

What's the problem?

The IND currently decides on one-third of applications from family members after the six-month statutory deadline. Refugees forced to be separated from their children more than a year.

Last week, the Refugee Agency (Vluchtelingenwerk) sharply criticized the "strict and unrealistic requirements" in the family reunification procedure. Thousands of people are in uncertainty because after six months they still do not know if their family members are allowed to come to the Netherlands or not.

In reply IND employees spoke about the reasons for the delays, among which:

• Lack of a complete package of documents. To process the application, it is necessary to provide documents from the authorities of the asylum seeker's country of origin. The more complete the package of documents for the application, the faster the processing. For example, using official and unofficial documents, one can prove an identity or a family connection. However, there are often difficulties in requesting such documents, in particular due to the bureaucracy in the country of origin of the person.
• Increase in the number of applications. Over the past months Family reunification applications have risen sharply to an average of 250 per week. Much more was received than expected. This is partly because the IND is receiving more asylum applications and is granting them more often than before. The coronavirus has also played a role. Due to travel restrictions, it was not always possible for family members to obtain the required entry visa to the Netherlands (temporary residence permit) from the Dutch embassy abroad. Applications that could not be submitted due to travel restrictions over the past two years are being submitted now, so there is a queue.

What will be the easing? 

The Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) promises to take measures that will ultimately help speed up the decision-making process on the possibility of reuniting an asylum seeker with his family, as well as make the procedure more accessible. For example, in the case of minor children, the service may appoint conducting a DNA test or an interview instead of completely rejecting the application in the absence of the necessary official documents.

From now on, more consideration will be given to administrative practices in the country of origin of the asylum seeker, such as the presence of bureaucracy. There are less stringent requirements for evidence of a biological or family connection. Some additional investigations are limited. In particular, the person will necessarily be checked only from the point of view of public order and national security.

The IND is temporarily suspending certain additional tests, such as a DNA test, if a biological link between parents and children has already been proven in some other way. The Organization expects that these relaxations will save time for approximately 9000 pending applications.

In general, IND officials promise to be more flexible in handling evidence of family ties so that family reunification decisions can be made more quickly.