After the CGRS or the CALL grants refugee status, the person concerned receives a refugee certificate. The person concerned must then apply to the municipality of their main residence to amend the national register on the basis of this certificate and issue them with an A card (limited stay) valid for 5 years.
After a period of 5 years from the lodging of the application for international protection which gave rise to the granting of refugee status, the recognised refugee is in principle admitted to stay for an unlimited period. For this purpose, an application for a B card (unlimited stay) must be submitted to the municipality of the main residence. The issuance of a B card always requires prior instruction from the Immigration Office.
If the CGRS or the CALL grants subsidiary protection status, the person concerned must present the decision of the CGRS or the CALL to the Immigration Service of the municipality of their main residence. The municipality will then issue an A card (limited stay) upon presentation of this decision. This card, valid for one year, can be extended twice by the municipality for two years each time, without prior instruction from the IO. The application to extend the A card must be submitted to the municipality of the main residence 30 to 45 days before the end of the validity period of the card.
After a period of 5 years from the lodging of the application for international protection which gave rise to the granting of subsidiary protection status, the beneficiary of this status is, in principle, admitted to stay for an unlimited period. For this purpose, an application for a B card (unlimited stay) must be submitted to the municipality of the main residence. The issuance of a B card always requires prior instruction from the Immigration Office.
Your child was not born in Belgium:
You must go with your child to the Immigration Office's registration centre (Rue Belliard 68, 1000 Brussels) to submit an application for international protection on behalf of the child. It is important that you bring all documents relating to your child and your case.
The registration centre is open from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) and does not operate on an appointment basis.
Please note: If both parents are residing in Belgium, both parents must be present to the extent possible.
If you have any questions, please contact: registration [at] ibz.fgov.be.
Your child was born in Belgium:
You must register the birth with the municipal administration. The administration will register your child in the National Register. Your child will be granted the right of residence on the basis of family reunification with you.
If you wish your child to be granted refugee status, you must submit an application for international protection. PLEASE NOTE: this procedure is carried out by appointment with the Administration Unit. Appointments can be made by telephone or e-mail (see below).
Important additions:
- If both parents have refugee status, the application must be submitted directly to the CGRS.
- If the mother has refugee status and no father is listed on the birth certificate, the application must also be submitted directly to the CGRS.
- If only the father has refugee status and is not listed on the birth certificate, the child must first be recognised before the application for the child can be registered.
Contact:
NL: asiel.administratie [at] ibz.fgov.be
Tel: 02/488.90.71
FR: asile.administration [at] ibz.fgov.be (asile.administration@ibz.fgov.be)
Tel: 02/488.90.73
As a beneficiary of international protection status, you are allowed to travel, provided you have the necessary identity and/or travel documents (depending on the country you wish to visit). Please note: a trip to your country of origin may have consequences for your international protection status. A return to the country you fled may be an indication that you do not or no longer need international protection. As a result, your international protection status may be withdrawn or annulled.
If you intend to return to your country of origin during your limited stay, you are legally obliged to report this to the municipal administration of your main residence.