Where and how to apply

Decision

You can introduce a request for a single permit for residence and work through your employer or his agent. The application must be submitted to the department of economic migration of the region where your employer is based: Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels Capital Region or the German-speaking Community.

To apply for a single permit your employer or his/her agent needs to submit a number of documents, including proof of payment of the administrative feeSearch for available translations of the preceding linkEN••• (see ‘Documents required’). Your application is assessed by the competent regional authority and the federal Immigration Office.

The regional and federal authorities need to take a decision within 90 days.

If the regional authority grants an authorisation to work and the Immigration Office grants an authorisation to stay, you receive a decision granting you a single permit (annex 46) from the Immigration Office.

If one or both of the authorities fail to take a decision, you receive a certificate granting you a single permit (annex 47) from the Immigration Office.

If one or both of the authorities reject your application, you receive a decision rejecting your right of residence (annex 48).

D visa

To obtain a D visa to travel to Belgium, you need to present your annex 46 or 47 and international passport and submit a visa applicationSearch for available translations of the preceding linkEN••• to the Belgian diplomatic or consular postSearch for available translations of the preceding linkEN••• of your place of residence.

The authorities take your fingerprints and a digital photo.

You can check the status of your visa application online by entering your reference number and the location of the diplomatic or consular post.

Documents required

To apply for an authorisation to work and stay, your employer or his agent must submit:

• the completed and signed application form;
• a copy of the identity document of your employer or his/her agent;
• a copy of your higher education degree or result of your current studies;
• a copy of the training agreement;
• a copy of your international passport;
• proof of sufficient means of subsistence (if required);
• a certificate attesting to the lack of any convictions for crimes or offences under common law;
• a standard medical certificateSearch for available translations of the preceding linkEN•••;
• proof of health insurance;
• proof of payment of the administrative feeSearch for available translations of the preceding linkEN•••.

Further requirements

Single permit

After your arrival in Belgium, you need to register at the municipality of your place of residence within 8 working days.

You receive a temporary residence document (annex 49) pending the residence check to be executed by the authorities.

If the residence check is positive, the municipality issues a single permit for a limited period of time (A-card).

Duration of validity of permits/visas

The single permit for trainees is valid for a period of up to six months. In Flanders, your permit can be renewed once. In the other regions, your permit is not renewable.

Conditions for renewal

In Flanders, you need to apply for renewal at the latest 2 months before your single permit expires.

Appeals

If your application for authorisation to work has been rejected by the regional authority, your employer can appeal this decision before the competent appeal body within 30 days after you received the decision. You can lodge an appeal against this decision before the Council of State within 60 days after you received the decision.

If your application for authorisation to stay has been rejected by the Immigration Office, you can appeal this decision before the Council for Alien Law Litigation (CALL) within 30 days after you received the decision.

Change of status

If your personal situation or purpose of stay changes during your legal stay in Belgium, you can apply for most other statuses.

Family members

Your family members have a right to stay in Belgium if they meet the conditions for family reunificationSearch for available translations of the preceding linkEN•••.

Long-term residence

You can apply for EU long-term resident status after 5 years of uninterrupted legal stay in Belgium, provided you have sufficient, regular and stable means of subsistence and health insurance.

Stays for reasons of temporary nature are not taken into account.