Application for international protection

Anyone wishing to apply for in Belgium must present themselves in person to the Immigration Office (DVZ) as soon as possible, where the application will be registered. 

If the request is made to another authority that is not competent to register it, that authority will refer the applicant to the Immigration Office.  At the border, the application must be made in person to the border control authorities.  

The applicant who is already present on the territory must present themselves in person at the Immigration Office building (Rue Belliard/Belliardstraat 68, 1000 Brussels), with the exception of persons imprisoned or detained in a specific place. Next, with the help of an interpreter, if necessary, various administrative data are collected, biometric data are taken and an assessment is made of the procedural needs of the applicant for international protection. The language in which the procedure is conducted is determined at the time the application is lodged. A hearing is held at the Immigration Office. 

The Immigration Office will determine which EU-country is responsible for examining the application, on the basis of Regulation (EU) 2024/1351 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on asylum and migration management. 

  • If Belgium is not responsible for examining the application, a transfer decision will be notified. 
  • If Belgium is responsible for the application, the examination of the application will be continued in Belgium. 

For all administrative matters relating to residence documents, annexes, extension of documents (residence permit, registration certificate, annexes), registration of children born in Belgium during the procedure or after a status has been obtained, school trips, follow-up on decisions to withdraw or abrogate an international protection status, etc., applications are processed and followed up by the Immigration Office.

See also our FAQ and the websites of the following  authorities: