In the following situations the application for family reunion in Belgium can be submitted in Belgium:
- The person applying for family reunification is already authorised to stay in Belgium for a limited period of time (A or H card) and the conditions for family reunification are met.
- The person applying for family reunification is exempt from the visa requirement for a short stay in the Schengen area and the conditions for family reunification are met.
- The person applying for family reunification has received a visa to marry or cohabit legally in Belgium and they got married before the visa expired.
The procedure is as follows:
The family member must submit their application for family reunification at the municipal administration of the place of residence and present the following documents:
- proof of payment of the fee, unless they are exempt;
- the documents required for entry and stay in Belgium (passport, visa, residence permit);
- proof that they meet the conditions for family reunification.
Find out more: Conditions & supporting documents
If the applicant resides in the municipality (positive residence investigation), the municipal administration will consider the application and issue a certificate of receipt of an application for authorisation to stay (Annex 15bis). It will then forward the file to the Immigration Office.
If the applicant does not reside in the municipality (negative residence investigation), the municipal administration notifies a decision not to consider an application for authorisation to stay (Annex 15ter). The procedure is complete.
The Immigration Office must examine the admissibility of the application within 5 months of the date shown on Annex 15bis.
If the application is admissible, the municipal administration will issue a certificate of registration to the applicant.
If the application is inadmissible, the Immigration Office will issue a decision on the inadmissibility of an application for authorisation to stay (Annex 15quater). The procedure is complete.
If the application is admissible, the Immigration Office must take a decision within nine months of the date shown on Annex 15bis. If the file is complex, they may extend this period twice for a period of 3 months. In such cases, it will take its decision within a maximum of 15 months from the date indicated in Annex 15a (9 months + 3 months + 3 months).
If the Immigration Office accepts the application, the municipal administration will issue the applicant with an A card.
If the Immigration Office refuses the application, it will issue a decision to withdraw the residence permit with an order to leave the territory (Annex 14). The procedure is complete.