In this video, I answer a frequently asked question: Can my partner travel to the Netherlands during the MVV procedure?
Many people are told by the IND that this is not allowed, but the situation is more nuanced. The purpose of the MVV procedure is for the IND to assess whether all conditions are met before your partner comes to the Netherlands. For that reason, traveling during the procedure is often discouraged, but in practice it is usually not a problem.
Especially in the first weeks after submitting the MVV application, there is generally no issue, because the application has not yet been assessed on its merits. Even later in the process, it does not necessarily have to be a problem, as long as your partner is not trying to circumvent the procedure. If your partner has a valid visa or is not subject to a visa requirement, he or she may visit you in the Netherlands during the procedure.
Please note: if the application is approved while your partner is still in the Netherlands, he or she must still return to the Dutch embassy or consulate abroad to collect the MVV.
In short: staying in the Netherlands during the MVV procedure can, in certain circumstances, be a reason for the IND to reject an application. However, as long as you are not trying to bypass the procedure and you communicate clearly with the IND, there is usually no issue in practice.