Authorisation to stay (9bis, 9ter)

As a general rule, a foreign national who wishes to stay in Belgium for more than 90 days must apply for authorisation at the Belgian diplomatic or consular post responsible for the place where they usually reside abroad. [Article 9 of the law of 15 December 1980]

This application for a residence permit takes the form of a type D application (national long-stay

an authorisation issued by a Member State or a decision taken by such State which is required with a view to entry for an intended stay in that Member State or in several Member States, or for transit through the territory of that Member State or several Member States.

).

Exceptionally, they may submit their application in Belgium in the following cases:

• When there are exceptional circumstances that justify the application being made in Belgium (Article 9bis of the law of 15 December 1980);
• For medical reasons (Article 9ter of the law of 15 December 1980);
• When they are already legally resident in Belgium (article 25/2 of the Royal Decree of 8 October 1981).