Work / Employment in Belgium
One documented route of this kind in Belgium, with its conditions, documents, official government fees and process.
Single Permit (Combined Work and Residence Permit)
The single permit is the standard route for third-country nationals working in Belgium for more than 90 days. It combines work authorisation and residence into one document; the employer initiates the application with the competent Region.
- Processing time
- Approx. 4 months (regional + federal decision combined)
- Validity
- Up to 3 years (often aligned to the employment contract); renewable
- Language requirement
- No language requirement for the permit itself; required later for long-term residence/nationality
- Permanent residence
- Eligible for unlimited residence after 5 years of legal and uninterrupted residence
- Citizenship
- Eligible for nationality by declaration after 5 years of legal residence (10-year route also exists)
Requirements
- Valid job offer/employment contract from a Belgian employer
- Employer applies to the competent Region (place of principal employment)
- Proof of health insurance covering all risks in Belgium
- Extract from criminal record (if applicant is over 18)
- Proof of sufficient means of subsistence
- Compliance with the applicable regional minimum salary thresholds where relevant
Required Documents
- Valid passport required
- Signed employment contract or binding job offer required
- Proof of all-risk health insurance in Belgium required
- Criminal record extract (applicants over 18) required
- Medical certificate
Official fees
- Federal residence fee (redevance/retribution) per applicant 152 EUR
Process Steps
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1
Employer files the application
The Belgian employer submits the single permit application to the competent Region based on the worker's principal place of work.
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2
Joint regional and federal review
The Region assesses the work component and the federal Immigration Office assesses the residence component; they decide jointly.
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3
Visa and entry
Once approved, the worker applies for a type D visa at the Belgian diplomatic post abroad and travels to Belgium.
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4
Register with the municipality
On arrival, register at the local commune to receive the electronic residence card (the physical single permit).