Work In Belgium: All About Getting A Belgium Work Visa

The first step in obtaining a Belgium work visa is to find a job in Belgium. Because your work visa is related to your residence status, it is preferable if you are employed before applying for a residence or work permit in Belgium.

A work permit is required if you want to work in Belgium as a foreign worker under an employment contract. This rule applies to citizens of countries other than the European Union, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

To live and work in Belgium as a non-EU or EEA national, you must apply for a work permit. To enter Belgium, you must first apply for a long-stay visa, then once there, you must apply for a resident permit with employment privileges.

Citizens of the EU, EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway), and Switzerland are not need to obtain a visa or work permit to work in Belgium. Furthermore, nationals of the following countries can obtain a residence and work permit in Belgium without first applying for a visa:

• United States
• Japan
• Canada
• New Zealand
• Australia
• Israel

Working Holidays for Australia, Canada, and New Zealand

Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, and Canada aged 18 to 30 can apply for a working holiday visa. The primary purpose of this visa is to travel, but it also allows you to work in Belgium for a year without needing a work permit. The requirements for this one-year visa are:

• You must have enough money for the trip (at least €2,500).
• You must have a return ticket.
• You must have health insurance coverage for 365 days.
• You must have a certificate from your local police proving your good conduct.

Work Permit Types

There are three types of work permits for foreign nationals in Belgium:

• Work permit type A – To be eligible for this work permit, you must have held the type B permit for four years within a ten-year stay in Belgium. Type A permits are valid for an unlimited period.
• Work permit type B – For this type B permit, your employer should apply on your behalf for a particular position(that cannot be filled by a Belgian or EU national).
• Work permit type C – If you are a temporary visitor or an asylum seeker whose right to stay in Belgium is not permanent, and you want to work in Belgium, you will need a type C permit. It is valid for up to one year.

Requirements for a Belgium Work Visa

The required documents for a Belgium work visa include:

• Passport – You need to obtain a valid passport.
• Work permit – Before applying for a work visa, you should be employed in Belgium. The work permit will allow you to live and work in Belgium.
• Medical certificate – You need to prove that you do not have any health issues which can endanger public health.
• Proof of accommodation – You need to prove that you will have a place to stay in Belgium.
• Proof of financial means – You need to have proof that you are financially able to live in Belgium.
• Proof that you do not hold any criminal record – You should require a statement in the police station that you are free of any criminal conviction.

How to Apply for a Work Visa in Belgium?

The application process for a Belgium work visa is as follows:

• Find a job in Belgium.
• Apply for the work permit.
• Apply for a work visa.
• Travel to Belgium.

Step 1: Find a Job in Belgium

You must, of course, have a job as the initial stage in the process. You can hunt for work on Belgian job portals online. EURES, the European Job Mobility Portal, is an excellent starting point. Before you may apply for a work permit in Belgium, your employer must present you with an employment contract.

Step 2: Apply for the Work Permit

You have the right to apply for a work permit once you have been employed. You can apply in person at the Belgian embassy or consulate in your home country, or your employer can do so on your behalf at their local resident authority.

Step 3: Apply for a Work Visa

The work permit allows you to live and work in Belgium, but you must come on a D visa. You must apply for a long-stay visa before moving to Belgium, and your employer must apply to the Belgian immigration office for your work permit.

Step 4: Travel to Belgium

Once you have a job and a long-stay visa, you can travel to Belgium and apply for your work and residence permit at the local town hall. After four to five years of residence in Belgium, you will be granted permanent residency.

Belgium Work Visa Processing Time?

To obtain a work visa may take 8 to 10 weeks. It depends on the company you will be working for and your employer since he needs to apply for you.

How Much Does the Belgium Work Visa Cost?

The work visa cost €180. This fee includes all types of long-stay visas. The fee is per person and it is paid by your employer when submitting your visa application at the Belgian Immigration Office.

How to Get a Residence Permit for Work After You Enter Belgium?

After you arrive in Belgium, you must register with your local government or town hall in the foreigner’s registry. Then you must fill out an application for an ID card and produce your fingerprints. After you have met these conditions, you will receive your identity card, which will serve as your residency permission. Furthermore, if you are a professional worker with the necessary qualifications and wish to work in Belgium, you must apply for a Belgium Blue Card. The EU Belgium Blue Card is a residence permit provided to future academics seeking qualified employment in the EU.

Can I Bring My Family With Me?

Yes, after locating suitable lodging for yourself and your family, you may bring your family with you. You should be able to demonstrate your financial ability to sustain them. Your family members must apply for a family reunification visa type D at the Belgian embassy in their home country.

How Long Can I Work in Belgium With a Visa?

In most European countries, a work visa is valid for one year. However, in the majority of cases, you can prolong it. You can renew your work visa at your local city hall’s Immigration Office. After five years of living and working in Belgium, you will be able to apply for permanent residency or a work permit type A.

You can work and live in Belgium indefinitely with a work permit A as long as you have a job in Belgium.