The sponsor is an adult and sedentary Belgian and the family reunion applicant is a third country national

The family member must submit their application for family reunification at the municipal administration of their place of residence. 

The municipal administration will issue an

application for a residence card as a family member of a European Union citizen or for a foreign identity card as a family member of a Swiss national.

upon presentation of proof that they are a family member of a Belgian national.

Unless exempted, they must also present proof of full payment of the fee.

Otherwise, the application is declared inadmissible.

If the applicant resides in the municipality (positive residence investigation), the municipal administration will issue a certificate of registration valid for 6 months, starting from the date indicated on

application for a residence card as a family member of a European Union citizen or for a foreign identity card as a family member of a Swiss national.

.

If the applicant does not reside in the municipality (negative residence investigation), the municipal administration will notify a decision refusing residence for more than 3 months with an

As a general rule, an order to leave the territory (OLT) is issued to foreign nationals whose application for residence has been rejected.

In addition, this order is also issued to foreign nationals :

• who are found to have expired the period during which they are authorised to reside in the country and who are, therefore, living illegally.
• who are found to have resided in the Kingdom without the required residence documents and/or means of subsistence. If the person concerned has already received an OLT, they will not receive a new one, but the OLT already issued will be confirmed.

(Annex 20). The procedure is complete.

The applicant must present proof that they meet the conditions for family reunification within 3 months from the date indicated in Annex 19ter.

If the documents are produced within the time limit, the municipal administration forwards the file to the Immigration Office.

If the documents are not presented within the time period, the municipal administration will notify a decision refusing residence for more than three months with an order to leave the territory (Annex 20). The procedure is complete.

_{Good practice:
Submit all documents at the time of application.}

The Immigration Office must make its decision within 6 months from the date indicated in Annex 19ter.

If the Immigration Office accepts the application, the municipal administration will issue the applicant with an F card.

If the Immigration Office refuses the application, the municipal administration will notify a decision refusing residence for more than 3 months with an order to leave the territory (Annex 20). The procedure is complete.