For more information, see this guide to studying in Belgium. You will need to apply for a long-stay category D Belgian visa via the Belgian embassy or consulate in your home country (or from the local municipal administration offices if already in Belgium), submitting an application form along with the necessary accompanying documents. You can of course change your mind and withdraw your consent at any time, by returning to this site after clearing the cookies on your computer or device. As a precaution against the coronavirus, the application procedures have been adapted. Check application processing times – Immigration and citizenship. Non-Belgians who do not or no longer reside in Leuven must request renewal of their residence permit in the town or city hall of their municipality. You cannot leave the airport and enter Belgium. If you’re planning a move to Belgium, find out if you need a Belgian visa or permit to visit, live, work or study in Belgium. Applicants then go to a reception center during the application process. 5 Oct 17, BELGIUM
The situation. See the necessary steps in our checklist for after you move to Belgium. It takes around two weeks to manufacture and post a residence permit card. Your choices will not impact your visit. What is the update? The third-country national must apply for registration in the aliens’ register of his place of residence and the issue of a single permit within 8 working days of his entry into Belgium. The main difference is that you also must provide a letter of invitation along with proof of family relationship for relatives. 29 Jul 16, BELGIUM
Be aware that a family reunification procedure from Belgium takes time and will keep you stuck in Belgium. It is crucial to know for those who are planning to travel out of Belgium immediately after they have a confirmed appointment date for their eID. For example, whether you are coming to Belgium to work, study, or stay with a family member. 6 Feb 17, BELGIUM
The processing time for an extension of your residence card may take several weeks. Certain residents will also be able to apply for Belgian nationality if they fulfill certain conditions. You must provide relevant supporting documents (e.g., acceptance onto study program or proof of qualifications). Children adopted by parents born in Belgium or with Belgian citizenship automatically obtain Belgian citizenship. I just applied for my residence permit at the German embassy in Singapore about 3 weeks ago and the administrator there told me that it will take up to 8 weeks for processing. Which visa you apply for depends on the purpose for moving to Belgium. Who is affected: Foreign nationals applying for a single work-and-residence permit. Make sure to present the municipality with the following documents: a valid passport with the D visa issued by … What does the change mean? Further information is also available from the Belgian Immigration Office or a Belgian embassy. 25 Mar 16, BELGIUM
I came on student visa in Jan 2014 to do PhD in the university but changed my status to employee (w/ guest agreement) in July 2018 as I started working in the university and also paying taxes as soon as my status changed to employee. Once you live in Belgium for five years, you may qualify for permanent residency in Belgium. Let's See How to Get UAE Residence Visa - Process, Steps & Time frame +971 4 368 48 84 +971 58 662 19 ... a special document, called Entry Permit, is issued. For film crews, details of the film, film-maker credentials, and list of film crew members also need to be provided. The following types of immigrant Belgian visa are available. The file is then transferred to federal immigration authorities to determine entry eligibility and approve issuance of a visa by the appropriate Belgian consulate. 25 Feb 20, BELGIUM
This fee is in addition to the standard handling fee; pay this to the Belgian Immigration Office prior to making your application. NOTE: These settings will only apply to the browser and device you are currently using. This can be done by providing bank statements, pension statements or proof of income from real estate for the last six months. The exact process and requirements depend on where you are coming from, whether you are visiting EU/EFTA or non-EU/EFTA relatives, and how long you intend to stay. Besides registration, you will also need set up the necessary aspects for living in Belgium, such as a bank account, health insurance, and more. Citizens of the 25 other Schengen Area countries within the EU/EFTA can travel freely to Belgium without a passport. This site uses functional cookies and external scripts to improve your experience. For the 2018/19 academic year, this is €654 per month net; there are no outstanding criminal charges against your name. For non-EEA nationals, it is important to take this into account when planning a trip abroad, as you will need a valid residence document allowing you to re-enter … 4 Dec 19, BELGIUM
If you are relocating to Belgium or planning to come for a significant period of time (longer than a year), you will need to apply for a category D long-stay Belgian visa. For more information, see these guides for moving to Belgium to join a relative or spouse and getting married in Belgium. If they are granted refugee status, they will be given residency in Belgium for an unlimited period of time. As well as the standard short-stay visa requirements, applicants need to provide event information and evidence of skills or qualifications. IMPACT – MEDIUM What is the change? You do have to meet the conditions which that country has for the residence permit. Eight to 10 weeks for the federal immigration authorities to approve issuance of the visa. This is a requirement for non-EU/EFTA nationals but the same exemptions apply as for the tourist visa. As it is part of the Schengen Area, Belgium allows many EU residents passport-free travel into the country. You may be exempt from needing this visa if you are a family member of an EU/EFTA citizen. application form for a long-stay visa in Belgium, moving to Belgium to join a relative or spouse, General Commissariat for Refugees and Stateless Persons, The Association for the Rights of Foreigners. You can apply for this visa if: You must show evidence of your acceptance into a course at a recognized institution in Belgium, along with valid passport/ID and proof that you meet the above requirements. There are three temporary Belgian work visas. If you want to come to Belgium to visit family or friends, you’ll need this visa. Here is a list of the different short-stay Belgian visa types. Which cookies and scripts are used and how they impact your visit is specified on the left. The first step towards applying for asylum in Belgium is submitting an application to the General Commissariat for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRS). Holiday and family visit; Business visit; Stopover in the Netherlands; Costs; Forms and Brochures; Asylum. without recourse to the social assistance system of the host country) and fulfills some further requirements, as defined in Directive 2003/109/EC. This essential guide provided by Expat Management Group will help you find out which Belgian visa you need. This visa is necessary for short-term business-related trips to Belgium lasting less than 90 days. You must apply for an airport transit Belgian visa at least 15 days before your trip. You’ll need to take along your passport, work permit (if applicable) and passport photos. Updated 2021 salary thresholds for foreign work permit... COVID-19: Travel, visa and permit restrictions strengthened. The requirements, processes, and costs for the visitor Belgian visa are much the same as for the tourist visa. The standard fee for this visa is €60 but there are many exemptions. Here, they receive lodging, meals, and medical support. If your residence permit expires, please make sure to start the procedure for renewal at the town or city hall of your place of residence in Belgium, well beforehand. 12 Jun 18, BELGIUM
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Employers with inquiries for our services may contact us on 0344 991 A person may apply for Belgian citizenship or long-term residence in Belgium if he / she has lived in Belgium for five continuous years.After this period of time of living in Belgium, EU/EEA/Swiss nationals acquire permanent residence automatically, whereas the non-EU/EEA citizens should apply for it. Non-EU/EFTA nationals who want to start a business or set up as self-employed in Belgium need to apply for a professional card that acts as a permit to trade and carry out independent business activities. To find the details of your local town hall, you’ll need to contact the commune in which you’re living; click here for a full list of communes. This guide to visas in Belgium includes the following sections: Expat Management Group are immigration specialists with a global network of lawyers who will assist you with all your expatriation needs, whether you are a company bringing employees, would like your family to join you, or are considering getting a Belgian passport. Who is affected: Employers and non-EU nationals applying for work Read More Children also must provide a declaration of consent from parents as well as from their school. You can also always ask for information at the local Belgian embassy … Jeremy Fudge, Managing Partner. This does not apply to nationals of the Member States of the European Economic Area (in French or Dutch) or Swiss nationals. A shift of responsibilities from the Federal Ministry to local communal authorities for part of the process should decrease processing times during the next few months. Analysis & Comments: Employers need to take these increased processing times into account when planning new assignments and dealing with renewal applications. 19 Mar 14, BELGIUM
What does the update mean? For trips relating to study or educational purposes lasting less than three months, a short-term student visa can be applied for in much the same way as the tourist visa or other short-stay Belgian visas. Change residence permit; Costs; Forms and brochures; Other reasons; Short stay. The professional card is issued by the regional authorities. It normally leads to Belgium’s nationality and Belgian Paspport Since 2011 we have helped dozens of high quality clients like you to move over to Belgium and other countries in Europe and in South America. This is a visa for those wanting to receive medical treatment in Belgium and not stay longer than three months. Full details of all children attending, including photos, need to be provided in advance of the trip. 19 Sep 18, BELGIUM
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Both allow you to stay in Belgium indefinitely, working or otherwise, under similar conditions as Belgian citizens. If you’re coming to Belgium for longer than 90 days but don’t intend to stay permanently, you must apply for a long-stay (category D) non-immigrant visa based on the purpose of your stay. Legislation in the works for a single work... Work permit applicants experiencing processing delays, Fees increase for work permit holders, dependents. As of June, the Brussels region will also be able to grant a single permit for a period of three years if proper supporting documents are provided. Return visas are only granted in very specific cases, for medical, family or business-related reasons but not for holidays! I marked in bold the options which might apply to you; I understood that you already have an residence permit in Belgium, an other EU country. This site uses functional cookies and external scripts to improve your experience. Some non-EU/EFTA countries have agreements with Schengen Area states to allow their citizens visa-free stays of up to 90 days for tourism or business. The fee amount is between €62-358 depending on circumstances, although there are exempt categories such as children. Whereas the single permit is required for working and residence periods exceeding 90 days, work permit B can still be used for short working periods of up to 90 days. Belgium has seen an increase in the size of its migrant population over the last two decades. The duration of the right to residence for recognised refugees is 5 years. The Single Permit combines work and residence authorization into a single document, issued through a single … 4 Mar 15, BELGIUM
The single permit is then issued by the commune to authorize both work and residence and will be valid for up to three years, depending on the employment contract or assignment letter. A tourist Belgian visa allows visitors to stay in the country for a maximum of 90 days in a six-month period. 28 Oct 13. Current processing times: Four to six weeks for regional authorities to make a decision on employment authorization. All Rights Reserved. Belgian short-stay visas: less than three months in Belgium, Federal Public Service for Foreign Affairs, EU/EEA and Swiss nationals moving to Belgium, moving to Belgium to join a relative or partner, local Belgian municipal administration offices. The Federal Immigration Office in Belgium has announced a plan to reduce processing times of applications for single permits. Click below to consent to the use of this technology on our website – and don’t worry, we respect your privacy. Introduction This guide is aimed at employers. Those from EU countries that are not part of the Schengen Area (Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania, and the UK) need to show a passport but don’t need a visa. All nationals who wish to stay for more than 90 days in Belgium, need to apply for a visa D, unless if you are either a citizen of the European Union or a citizen of one of the following countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway and Switzerland. 17 Oct 18, BELGIUM
If you apply from within Belgium, you should do it through the local Belgian municipal administration offices/town hall (maison communale/gemeentehuis). 22 Mar 16, BELGIUM
Implementation time frame: Ongoing. Number of Blue Cards issued in 2018: 43. Rejected applicants will not be able to stay in Belgium and will be expected to leave within a specified period. For more information, see Expatica’s guide to work permits in Belgium and how to find a job in Belgium. See Expatica’s guides to starting a business in Belgium and becoming a freelancer in Belgium for more information. Around 150,000 people move to the country each year and approximately 25% of Belgian residents were foreign-born. Under certain circumstances, EU/EEA/Swiss citizens need to register at the local town hall (maison communale/gemeentehuis) when they arrive in Belgium. Currently, the processing time ranges from 30 to 85 days from the day the Immigration Office receives the visa application. Minimum salaries to increase in Flanders and Wallonia, No-deal Brexit contingency plan announced, Single-permit system to be introduced Jan. 1, New salary thresholds set for work permit holders, Flanders to introduce regional work permit. If a Belgian airport is your first or only transit airport, you can submit the application at the Belgian embassy in your home country. In January 2019, Belgium implemented the Single Permit scheme for foreign nationals seeking to work in Belgium for over 90 days. After your arrival in Belgium, you have eight working days to go to your local municipal administration office/town hall (maison communale/gemeentehuis) to be registered on the Foreigner’s Register and get your … 1 Mar 17, BELGIUM
Proposed law would increase administrative fees on foreign... Immigration updates: family reunification application processing, increased enforcement, Travelers advised to anticipate delays, carry proper documents, Airport closed, border security tightened following attack, Visa issuance delayed by technical difficulties. A long-term resident in the European Union is a person who is not a citizen of an EU country but has resided legally and continuously within its territory for five years with a means of support (i.e. National law foresees that the maximum processing time for issuing a Blue Card in Belgium is 90 days. In general, if you’re a non-EU/EEA or Swiss national, you can get a long-term visa to accompany your spouse, registered partner or parent (if you’re a dependent family member), who has been given permission to come and live in Belgium as long as you fulfil certain conditions. See here for a list of Belgian embassies and consulates around the world. Preference is given to those who can demonstrate ties to Belgium (e.g., family ties or having lived in the country before). EU and EEA nationals don't need to apply for residence permits in Belgium. Along with your application form, you must provide a valid passport/ID, two recent passport photos, proof of flight, travel insurance policy, and proof of the paid visa fee of €60. You can find out more information on intercountry adoption from the Central Federal Authority or from the regional Belgian authorities. You are advised to make your application at least four weeks before you plan to travel. Citizens of the European Union (EU) and the European Free Trade Association (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland) can travel freely to Belgium without a visa. 14 Feb 17, BELGIUM
You may need to apply for a visa or permit if you want to visit, live, find work, or study in Belgium. Source: Deloitte LLP. Under the new process, employers may submit a completed application with all supporting documentation to regional authorities, who issue a conditional work authorization. Non EU-nationals must register with their local commune within eight days of their arrival in … Background: In January, all three regions of Belgium introduced a single work-and-residence permit system under the European Union directive. It should be noted that it is not possible to obtain citizenship in Belgium by proving independent means. Apply at the Belgian embassy or consulate of your home country a minimum of 15 days prior to your visit. For more information, see our guide to Belgian citizenship. Non-EU students who want to study in Belgium for a period exceeding 90 days must apply for a student visa. Hello, I am a non-EU citizen and I have been living in East Flanders, Belgium for 5 and half years now. If you fall into one of these categories, please feel free to contact us for advice, although you may find that this guide answers many of your questions. Along with the visa application form, you’ll need to provide a valid passport/ID, two recent passport photos, flight details, health insurance details, proof of accommodation, and proof of financial means to support your stay. Third-country nationals (non-EU/EFTA citizens) will normally need a Belgian visa for any long-term stay (over 90 days) in Belgium. You currently have a permanent residence permit as a 'long-term resident-EC CE' issued by another EU member state. 11 Dec 19, BELGIUM
If you plan to work, you may need a residence permit even if … For a long-term work visa in Belgium, you must first find a job. 3 Jan 19, BELGIUM
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You may change your settings at any time. official meeting, consultation, or negotiation; your studies will be your main occupation during your stay in Belgium; you have sufficient resources to support yourself during your stay. The processes and costs for the business Belgian visa are the same as for the tourist visa. The country has an international reputation as the home of the European Commission as well as being a hub of economic activity. All non-Belgian inhabitants of Leuven who already have a residence permit, which will expire within 45-30 days. Salary threshold (EUR): 51 235 (Flanders) or 55 431 (other regions) Validity period: 1 to 3 years. Requirements are also the same but you will also need to provide a letter from your employer explaining the purpose of your trip, or an invitation letter from the organization in Belgium requesting your attendance. See the Expatica guide to moving to Belgium to join a relative or partner for more information. In this case, the processing time is longer, especially at certain times of the year (summer, school holidays, end of the year). All the information about visas for Belgium can be found on the web site of the FPS Foreign Affairs. After your arrival in Belgium, you need to register at the municipality of your place of residence within 8 working days. Asylum seekers will be interviewed about their application as part of the process. [1] The residence right for recognised refugees is limited to 5 years, which then becomes unlimited unless the CGRS takes a cessation or revocation decision on the status according to Article 55/3 or 55/3/1 of the Aliens Act. preferably 30-45 days before your residence card expires. working under an employment contract) must hold a work permit. You can apply for the professional card at the same time as making your Belgian visa application. The Immigration Office manages the country’s immigration policy, which is part of the Federal Public Service for Foreign Affairs. If you have a Schengen visa from another Schengen state, you can also stay in Belgium if you haven’t exceeded the 90-day allowance. In order to retire to Belgium, you will need to show that you are able to support yourself without working. For the time being, an overall processing time of up to four months should still be expected. ©2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden. You will also need to supply a letter explaining your reasons for relocating to Belgium. Belgium is a party to the Geneva Convention; all foreigners who enter the country have the right to apply for asylum. Having a residence permit as a long-term resident EC allows you to apply more easily for a residence permit in one of the other EU countries that also have this residence permit. The standard cost of a long-stay immigrant visa is €180 plus the same additional surcharges as the non-immigrant visas. EU and EEA citizens don’t need a work permit to work. The long-term Belgian visa for work purposes is known as a Category A work visa which allows the holder to work for any employer indefinitely. This procedure results in the Single Permit : a combined document which certifies the legal stay (for more than 90 days) and right to work in Belgium for third country nationals. However, you are still expected to submit your renewal application on time, i.e. A full list of the 61 countries this applies to is available here. Eight to 10 weeks for the federal immigration authorities to approve issuance of the visa. Belgium is taking steps to reduce processing times for Single Permit applications across the country. 2400 N. Glenville Dr., Bldg A, Richardson, TX 75082. 28 Dec 20, BELGIUM
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The system unifies work-and-residence permit procedures for non-EU/EEA workers across the EU. You should make the application at the Belgian embassy or consulate in your home country. When you arrive in Belgium you have three days to register your arrival at the municipal administration offices. This visa covers visits for artists, athletes, or religious leaders attending events and competitions in Belgium. If you are a Belgian national or a foreign resident living in Belgium who wants to adopt a child from overseas, you’ll need to apply for a category D long-term Belgian visa for the child. The cost of this Belgian visa is €60, but diplomatic passport holders are exempt from paying the fee. You’ll be issued with a Certificate of Registration, and either an A residence card if you are staying for a specific amount of time, or a B residence card if you are allowed to stay in Belgium indefinitely. 22 Oct 18, BELGIUM
Check what applies to your individual circumstances. Belgium had around 20,000 first-time asylum applicants from non-EU countries in 2018, the 8th highest in the EU. For the full list go to ind.nl page. The official visit visas for Belgium are necessary for those who have an official invitation for the purposes of an: Requirements and processes are largely the same as for the Belgian tourist visa. Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom. Generally, you will have to apply for this visa at the Belgian embassy or consulate in your home country. Expatica helps make your expat journey the experience you've always wanted. They will give you a document specifying when you have to leave Belgium. It is, therefore, best to apply for renewal between 30 and 45 days before the expiry date. They will give you a document specifying when you have to leave Belgium. If you’re a foreign student enrolled at a Belgian educational institution and have a valid residence permit, you can work during term time up to 20 hours a week, provided your work doesn’t interfere with your studies. For shorter stays under 90 days, residents of many countries must apply for a short-stay visa. You will also need to factor in application fees, which can be as high as €400,000. Anyone who plans to stay in Belgium for more than three months will be classified as a resident. For school trips and exchanges, schools or traveling parties from non-EU/EFTA countries can make a group application that exempts children in the group from having to make individual visa applications. You receive a temporary residence document (annex 49) pending the residence check to be executed by the authorities. In the Walloon region, the single permit can only be issued for a maximum period of one year, for the time being. Single Permit. STEP 2: you receive a residence permit : APPENDIX 9 (F CARD) An airport transit visa allows you to pass through the international transit zone while waiting for a connecting flight. The processing time, however, is very short and can take as little as three to four months. Add another three weeks of F Card processing time after the 6-months validity period of the Orange Card. How to apply for renewal? It is currently impossible to fast-track applications. It is expected that the ICT permit will be implemented in the Flemish and Brussels regions during the next few months. UK Residence Card Applications and Processing Times With UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) finding themselves inundated with applications for a UK residence card and certificate from EEA nationals and EEA family permit holders, it could be easy to assume that the application has fallen into a bottomless pit, only to be seen at some point in the distant future. A short-stay Schengen or C visa allows you to stay in the Schengen area – but not work – for up to a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period. 23 Nov 16, BELGIUM
The following non-immigrant Belgian visas are available. All third-country nationals wanting to visit Belgium for tourist purposes need this visa unless they are one of the 61 exempt countries. If treatment lasts longer than this, however, you must apply for a long-term Belgian visa. Visas can be issued for periods of up to five years although there is the possibility of renewing them. If the asylum case is rejected, an appeal can be lodged within 30 days. If you’re trying to apply for a work permit online in one of the below categories, you may have problems getting the right result. After arrival in Belgium, future residents must register within 8 working days of arrival with the population or aliens department of the municipality of residence. If you hold a Blue Card from another EU-member state, and have lived elsewhere in the EU for a certain period, this time can count towards your calculation of five years.