Belgium Residence Permit: Conditions and Necessary Procedure

A Belgian residence permit is an official permit that allows non-Belgian citizens to live in Belgium. Citizens of foreign countries outside the European Union and European Economic Area who wish to reside in Belgium for more than 3 months must obtain a Belgian residence permit.

To obtain a residence permit, individuals must meet the conditions of working for a company, being self-employed, being an investor, receiving education or family reunification in Belgium.

What are the types of residence permits in Belgium?

The types of residence permits in Belgium are listed below.

Residence permit to work in Belgium
Residence permit in Belgium as an investor
Residence permit in Belgium as a student
Residence permit in Belgium as an intern
Residence permit in Belgium for family reunification

What are the conditions for obtaining a residence permit in Belgium?

The conditions for obtaining a residence permit in Belgium are listed below.

It is necessary to have a valid Belgian D visa (national visa).
It is necessary to have a job offer from a company operating in Belgium.
It is necessary to establish a business in Belgium as an investor.
It is necessary to have a letter of acceptance from an educational institution in Belgium for an education longer than 3 months.
It is necessary to be accepted as an intern by a Belgian company for more than 3 months.
It is necessary to plan to live with a family member who is a Belgian citizen or who has a legal residence permit in Belgium.

How to Get a Residence Permit to Study in Belgium?

It is possible to get a residence permit by studying in Belgium. In order to get a residence permit as a student in Belgium, a Belgian residence permit must be applied for after entering the country with a Belgian student visa.

The programs that you can apply to study in Belgium are listed below.

Belgium Erasmus student exchange program
Belgian public school undergraduate education
Belgian private educational institution undergraduate education
Language education in Belgium

How to Get a Residence Permit for an Internship in Belgium?

A residence permit can be obtained for an internship in Belgium. In cases where the internship in Belgium lasts less than 90 days, it is sufficient for the intern to obtain a Belgian internship visa. If the internship in Belgium lasts more than 90 days, a residence permit and a work permit must be obtained.

How to Get a Residence Permit to Start a Business in Belgium?

To start a business in Belgium, you need to have savings of between 350,000 and 500,000 Euros for 5 years. To get a residence permit by starting a business in Belgium, you need to apply for a professional card, which allows you to trade and carry out independent business activities.

To apply for a Belgian professional card, you must apply for a long-term Belgian business visa through the Belgian Embassy or Belgian Consulate (or through the local Municipality office if the person is already in Belgium) by sending an application form along with the documents required to establish a business in Belgium.

After obtaining the Belgian professional card, a business can be established in Belgium. The Belgian professional card is initially valid for a period of 1-5 years and has the same features as the Belgian residence permit.

How to Get a Residence Permit by Buying a House in Belgium?

It is not possible to obtain a residence permit by buying a house in Belgium. There is no golden visa application in Belgium.

How to Get a Residence Permit with a Work Permit in Belgium?

A Belgian work permit is a type of permit that non-EU citizens must apply for in order to work in Belgium. In order to apply for a Belgian work permit, a legal job offer must be received from a company in Belgium.

In order to obtain a Belgian work permit, a Belgian work visa must be obtained and the person must decide on the type of work permit that is suitable for him/her. There are three types of work permits in Belgium: Type A, Type B and Type C.

The Belgian Type A work permit is a type of work permit that allows you to work in Belgium indefinitely, for any employer, at any time and for any wage.

The Belgian Type B work permit is a type of work permit that allows working in Belgium for 1 year and holders can only work in the workplace and for the position specified in the application.

The Belgian C type work permit is a type of work permit that allows you to work in Belgium for a maximum of 1 year. In order to apply for a Belgian C type work permit, you must be a student, family member or person whose asylum process has not been completed with a temporary residence permit in Belgium.

How to Get a Residence Permit for Family Reunification in Belgium?

In order to obtain a family reunification residence permit in Belgium, it is necessary to go to Belgium with a Belgian family reunification visa.

After going to Belgium with a Belgian family reunification visa, within 3 months, you must go to the official authority in your place of residence and submit a valid passport or arrival declaration, rental agreement, health insurance, passport photo and pay the registration fee. After registering in Belgium, the person is given an orange card (Attestation d’immatriculation – Attest van immatriculatie). The Belgian orange card allows you to work until you receive a residence permit. After a maximum of 6 months after receiving the Belgian orange card, the official institution where you registered will call the person to receive the residence permit.

What are the documents required to obtain a Belgian residence permit?

In order to apply for a Belgian residence permit, a D type visa application must be made first. After obtaining a Belgium D type visa, entry to Belgium can be made. Within 8 working days after arrival in Belgium, it is necessary to go to the municipality’s population or foreigners office and register by presenting the necessary documents such as a D type visa and passport. After registration, the person is given a national number.

Two months after the entry registration to Belgium, the official institution where the person was registered will call the person to receive the residence permit. The municipality will issue an A card containing the Aliens Registry Certificate to the registered persons.

The documents required to apply for a Belgian residence permit are listed below.

Passport : To apply for a Belgian residence permit, the passport must have been issued within the last 10 years, be valid for at least 12 months from the date of application and have at least 2 blank pages.
ID card : A copy of your ID card must be submitted to apply for a Belgian residence permit.
Belgium visa application form : To apply for a Belgian residence permit, two application forms must be filled out completely and accurately and signed.
Belgian certificate of good conduct : In order to apply for a Belgian residence permit, a certificate of good conduct (extrait de casier judiciaire – uittreksel uit thet strafregister) must be submitted, not older than 6 months and covering the previous year.
Biometric photo : In order to apply for a Belgian residence permit, two biometric photos, 35 mm wide and 45 mm long, with a white background, taken within the last 6 months, must be included in the application file.
Health report : In order to apply for a Belgian residence permit, a health report issued within the last 6 months by a doctor recognized by the Belgian Embassy or Belgian Consulate must be submitted.
Documents proving the reason for going to Belgium : In order to apply for a Belgian residence permit; if family reunification is being done, family relationship documents must be submitted; if going for education, internship or business purposes; an invitation/acceptance letter must be submitted.
Sworn translator translations : To apply for a Belgian residence permit, all documents must be translated by a certified translator, unless they are already in French or Dutch.
Belgian visa fee payment receipt : A receipt must be submitted as proof of payment of the Belgian residence permit application fee.

Which countries can be visited without a visa by obtaining a residence permit in Belgium?

After obtaining a residence permit in Belgium, it is possible to go to Schengen countries with a passport.

Countries that can be visited without a visa with a Belgian residence permit are Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Italy, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Greece, Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechenstein.

How to Extend a Belgian Residence Permit?

To extend a residence permit in Belgium, a report must be made to the Leuven Stadskantoor (city office) at least 15 days before the residence permit expires. An appointment must be made before going to the City Office to extend the residence permit. When the appointment day comes, the Belgian residence permit can be extended by going to the City Office with documents such as passport, current residence permit, proof of financial capacity and registration certificate.

What are the Belgium Immigration Application Requirements?

Belgium immigration application requirements are listed below.

A family member, relative or spouse who is a Belgian citizen or has a Belgian permanent residence permit is required.
It is necessary to have a Belgian higher education (or equivalent) degree, have signed an employment contract for at least 1 year and earn at least 100% more than the average gross annual salary.
A cultural exchange with a Belgian family is required to improve language skills and learn about Belgian society.
Education at a Belgian educational institution is required.
It is necessary to study at an educational institution in Belgium within the framework of a student exchange program.
An internship is required in Belgium.
An immigration application can be made with the Belgian asylum status as a result of the candidate being subjected to racism or persecution in his/her own country.

How Can I Settle in Belgium?

The steps required to settle in Belgium are listed below.

A Belgium D type visa is required, which varies depending on the purpose of the application.
It is necessary to enter the country with a Belgium D type visa and make an official registration.
It is necessary to apply for a Belgian residence permit.
After obtaining a Belgian residence permit, one can live in Belgium for 1 year and the residence permit can be extended.
After living in Belgium with a temporary residence permit for 5 years, a permanent residence permit can be obtained.