Hi, 

What are the requirements for my girlfriend to live with me in the Netherlands? 

We are not married yet, she has a small business and a bit of money running through her bank account. 

I have a job paying above average and can show funds to fully support her. 

Can someone explain to me what needs to be done for her to obtain a long stay visa? 

 

Depends on the ultimate goal. This link shows the categories that should pretty much cover all sorts of visits but the end game of marriage, study and/or employment probably needs to be clear at the outset. I imagine the old "to see if it works out" sort of visitor is proscribed like most every other European country.

Why don't you check the webside of the Dutch embassy. There is a lot of information. Than see what you have on paperwork that you need. It will not be that easy, but can be done when you prepare yourself. If any questions , just pm me.

Good luck.

On 8/20/2017 at 6:31 AM, NanLaew said:

Depends on the ultimate goal. This link shows the categories that should pretty much cover all sorts of visits but the end game of marriage, study and/or employment probably needs to be clear at the outset. I imagine the old "to see if it works out" sort of visitor is proscribed like most every other European country.

 

We have been together for 12 years and I had to leave Thailand about 2 months ago to work in the Netherlands. The ultimate goal is marriage of course. 

We couldn't get married as I only got a 6 weeks notice to leave Thailand which wasn't enough to request all documents from the Netherlands and have them translated to Thai. 

If she comes on a tourist visa to the Netherlands, can we get married in the Netherlands and she can 'extend' or change her visa within the Netherlands to a long stay visa? 

Thanks a lot for your help

Marriage is not a requirement for partner immigration! The Dutch are fine with a 'durable and exclusive' relationship and a relationship can have be less than a year old asking as you make evident that the relationship is genuine.

 

What's your nationality?

You cannot convert a short stay (type C) visa into a residence permit if you are Dutch. As EU freedom if movement (directive 2004/38) wont apply to EU nationals who live in their own country. If you are say British or German this would be possible as EU law would apply. 

 

In any case I would suggest to let her visit for a short stay of up to 90 days first! See if she likes the country our shitty weather (it's much like the UK) etc immigration is not a small step or thing!

 

The best source is IND.nl and fill out the online tool and read the brochures.

 

If you are Dutch you may find the 'immigration Thai partner' guide useful found on thailandblog.nl (left side panel under 'dossiers'). 

 

Succes (nl) / success (eng)

To elaborate on my first reply:

It seems like you are a Dutchty too. In which case your partner would need to pass a civic integration and language exam (a1 level) at the embassy.

 

And you need to have a durable and sufficient income: for 12 whole months (and not a day less) or more you need to show what you will be employed by providing a contract that lasts 365+ days. A contract for a year will do, a contract that lasts indefinitely  (onbepaalde tijd, vast contract) makes things easier as you don't need to worry about being a day late and only having 364 days of employment left and thus failing the durable income requirement.

 

You have been together for a long time and you had to rush out of TH so I guess she has no real choice but to emigrate from TH and join you. You/she could apply for immigration straight away. However if still consider a short stay visa first (which could be harder to get as she need a to show reasons to return to TH and with immigration that does not come into play) . She could do a language course here in NL to prepare for her entry exam at the embassy and if she finds that NL is a place she absolutely hates to be you could see if you could change your plans and say migrate to the south of the EU or elsewhere in the world. But if you think immigration is the best step, go for it.