Family reunification

There are many different ways to reunite with family members. Depending on your situation, the rules differ. For example, you have different procedures with the following nationalities and situation:

• Union citizens (nationality of an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland)
• Non-union citizens (third country nationals)
• Dutch citizens
• Turkish nationality
• (Highly Skilled) Migrant Workers
• Family reunification for people with asylum permits (nareis)

The legal frameworks and thus the procedures differ for each category. For example, the Citizenship Directive applies to Union citizens and the third-country family members of Union citizens (RI 2004/38). While Turkish workers can invoke the Association Agreement Turkey (Ankara Agreement). The Family Reunification Directive applies to third-country nationals and Dutch nationals' third- country family members. While Article 8 ECHR may also apply. Article 8 ECHR procedures can be very complex. A lawyer can guide you through them.

There are different procedures regarding family reunification for people with asylum permits (nareis), foster children, adopted children and, for example, Dutch children of third country nationals (Chavez-Vilchez).

To find out which procedure you need to follow in order to be reunited with your family, we advise you to contact us.