Work

 

Authorisation to work and reside in Belgium

Third-country nationals who have been granted authorisation to work in Belgium for more than 90 days must also be granted authorisation to reside in Belgium for more than 90 days.

• Work authorisation

Work authorisation in Belgium must be requested from the competent Region. 

For more information on the procedure to follow, the conditions to be met, the documents to submit and the processing time, visit the website of the competent Region: 

• _{Flemish Region:  https://www.vlaanderen.be/werken/in-vlaanderen-komen-werken}
• _{Brussels-Capital Region: http://www.bruxelles.irisnet.be}  
• _{Walloon Region http://emploi.wallonie.be (http://emploi.wallonie.be/home/travailleurs-etrangers/permis-de-travail.html)}
• _{German-speaking Community: http://www.dglive.be}  

• Authorisation to reside

The applicant must request authorisation to reside in Belgium from the competent embassy for the location where he/she resides abroad (

national long-stay visa (more than 90 days).

application).

If the third-country national authorised to work already legally resides in Belgium, he/she can submit his/her application for authorisation to reside to the municipal administration of his/her place of residence.

The decision is taken by the Immigration Office. 

A procedure that allows a foreigner to obtain a residence permit to join a family member legally residing in a country.

A third-country national authorised to work and reside in Belgium for more than 90 days may be accompanied or joined by his/her spouse or partner (partnership registered under a law) and minor children, under certain conditions.

The conditions and procedures for submitting a family reunification application are explained in the section dedicated to family reunification with a non-EU/EEA foreign national with limited residency.

Good to know: the procedure for granting a family reunification

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.

is facilitated for the spouse and minor child of certain categories of workers.

_{Categories of workers:}

• _{Highly qualified worker (no application for a posted worker);}
• _{Highly qualified worker - European blue card;}
• _{Intra-corporate transfer long-term mobility;}
• _{Researcher without a hosting agreement;}
• _{Researcher under hosting agreement;}
• _{Researcher with a long-term mobility hosting agreement;}
• _{Post-doctorate;}
• _{Professional athlete or coach;}
• _{International agreement.}

_{First administrative provision aimed at facilitating family reunification: expanded means of evidence}

_{The spouse/partner and minor child must prove that all the conditions for family reunification with a foreign national authorized to reside in Belgium for a limited period are met. However, proof that the worker will have adequate accommodation, health insurance and stable, regular and sufficient means of subsistence may be provided with supporting documents other than those generally required.}

• _{Adequate accommodation:  the spouse/partner and minor child may present any document that proves that the worker has, or will have, adequate accommodation to host his/her family in Belgium. For example, an employment contract with a housing clause, the employer's commitment to provide housing, a lease agreement (temporary housing), and a (hotel) apartment reservation.}

• _{Health insurance: the spouse/partner and minor child may present any document that proves that the worker has health insurance for him/herself and his/her family. For example, a clause in the employment contract stipulating that the employer agrees to take out health insurance for the worker and his/her family members.}

• Stable, regular and sufficient means of subsistence: the spouse/partner and minor child may present any document that proves that the worker has, or will have, means of subsistence at least equivalent to 120% of the amount referred to in article 14, § 1, 3°, of the Law of 26/05/2002 on the right to social integration, i.e. €2,131.28 (net amount per month) or, if the

  Since 03/01/2019, any citizen from a non-European country who wants to stay and work more than 90 days in Belgium must be a single permit holder. The employer must apply to the competent Region (=the worker’s principal place of work). The Immigration Office and the Region handle the request together and make a decision. If the request is approved, the worker will receive a document allowing him to stay more than 90 days in Belgium for work.

  was granted from August 18, 2025, any document that demonstrates that the worker has, or will have, an income at least equivalent to 110% of the Guaranteed Average Minimum Monthly Income (GAMMMI), i.e., €2,323.079, an amount increased by 10% for each additional family member dependent on the worker, whether that family member already legally resides with him/her in Belgium or is applying for family reunification. (See transitional provisions of the Law of July 18, 2025). For example, an employment contract with a salary clause, an employer's certificate explicitly mentioning the duration of the contract and stating the net monthly pay.

_{Second administrative provision aimed at facilitating family reunification: issuance of the visa without consulting the Immigration Office}

_{If all the conditions for family reunification are met, the Immigration Office authorises the embassy to issue the family reunification visa itself (‘automatic visa issuance’) to the spouse and minor children of a worker:}

• _{who belongs to one of the categories of workers mentioned above; or}
• _{who can prove, with supporting documents, that he/she will have a net monthly income that is higher than the minimum amount required for a third-country national authorised to stay for a limited period, i.e. €2,131.28 (net amount per month) if the single permit was granted before 18 August 2025 and €2,323.079, plus 10% for each additional dependent family member of the worker, if the single permit was granted from 18 August, 2025.}

_{Second administrative provision aimed at facilitating family reunification: issuance of the visa without consulting the Immigration Office}

_{If all the conditions for family reunification are met, the Immigration Office authorises the embassy to issue the family reunification visa itself (‘automatic visa issuance’) to the spouse and minor children of a worker:}

• _{who belongs to one of the categories of workers mentioned above; or}
• _{who can prove, with supporting documents, that he/she will have a net monthly income that is higher than the minimum amount required for a third-country national authorised to stay for a limited period, i.e. €2,131.28 (net amount per month) if the single permit was granted before 18 August 2025 and €2,323.079, plus 10% for each additional dependent family member of the worker, if the single permit was granted from 18 August, 2025.}

_{These two provisions apply only in the following circumstances:}

• The family unit already exists on the date the Immigration Office grants the single permit (

  Decision to grant a single permit/decision to grant an EU blue card/decision to grant a long stay permit or a visa for seasonal worker. You can find the annexes on our website (they are only available in French or Dutch). Go to the following section: Documentation>Legislation.

  of 47) to the worker; and
• _{The “single permit” and “family reunification” visa applications are submitted simultaneously, or the “family reunification” visa application is submitted within six months from the day the “single permit” visa is issued to the accompanied or joined worker; and}
• _{All the conditions for family reunification with a third-country national granted permission or authorization to reside for a limited period are met.}

_{Warning! The submission of the family reunification visa application to the Immigration Office remains mandatory in the following situations:}

• _{The worker being accompanied or joined does not belong to one of the categories of workers mentioned above and the applicant fails to prove, with supporting documents, that the worker will have a net monthly income at least equivalent to the reference amount stated above;}
• _{The "family reunification" and "single permit" visa applications are not submitted simultaneously, or  the "family reunification" visa application is not submitted within six months from the day on which the "single permit" visa is issued to the accompanied or joined worker;}
• _{Not all the conditions for family reunification with a third-country national granted authorization to reside for a limited period are met;}
• _{The applicant is the registered partner or an adult child of the worker, his/her spouse or registered partner;}
• _{The applicant is from Afghanistan, Syria or Palestine;}
• _{The applicant is flagged.}