If you are planning to relocate to Belgium to work as a foreigner, you need to obtain a work permit or a valid Belgium Work visa which allows you to legally live and work in the country. This is applicable to citizens outside the EU, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. Here, we outline visa tips and how to apply for a Belgium work visa.
Belgium has one of the best economies in the world being an export-driven economy with a nominal GDP of USD 632 billion in 2023. This is why the remuneration package of workers in Belgium is amongst the best globally. Foreign professionals who wish to move to Belgium for career advancement will have to apply for work visa after being offered a job placement.
See Also: Switzerland Work Visa Application 2024 (Requirements and How to Apply)
Types of Belgium Work Permits
Work permits in Belgium for foreign nationals are of three types, which includes:
- Work Permit Type A: The type A work permits are valid for an unlimited duration where individuals must have held the type B permit for four years within a ten-year stay in Belgium.
- Work Permit Type B: Type B permit is for job positions that cannot be filled by a Belgian or EU nationals. The permit allows the potential employer to apply for the position on behalf of the would-be employee. This type of work permit is valid for only one year.
- Work Permit Type C: This type of permit is for temporary visitor such as students or an asylum seeker who’s right to stay in Belgium is not permanent. Where a student wants to study and work in Belgium, he/she will need a type C work permit. This permit is valid for up to one year.
Requirements for a Belgium Work Visa
The following are the requirements to meet before applying for a Belgian work visa:
- Passport: You will need to present a valid international passport.
- Work Permit: Before you apply for a work visa, you should have been offered a work placement in Belgium. The work permit will allow you to live and work in Belgium legally.
- Medical certificate: You will need to prove that you do not have any health issues which will interfere with your ability to work safely in Belgium.
- Health Insurance: For a foreigner to apply for a Belgium work visa, you must obtain a health insurance coverage as a foreign worker in Belgium.
- Proof of Financial capability: You will need to proof that you are financially able to cater for your needs in Belgium.
- Accommodation Status: It is important that you show proof that you will have a place to stay when you relocate to work in the country.
- Proof that you don’t have any criminal record
Belgium work visa cost
The cost implication of applying for a Belgium work visa is about 180 EUR, but you might have to pay more for the country’s you live in and the embassy services. There is also the work permit cost that your employer needs to pay.
Application Procedures
How-to-Apply: Foreign nationals will need a work permit as well as a visa to legally live and work in Belgium. Your employer will have to take up the responsibility to apply for your work permit after first proving that there are no job-seeking Belgian citizens who are qualified to fill the vacant position. The application steps are outlined below:
- The employer on behalf of the employee submits a work permit application to the immigration offices in Belgium.
- The authorities forward the work permit to the Belgian Embassy in the prospective employee’s country of residence.
- The employee visits the Belgian Embassy in their country to apply for a residence visa.
- After receiving the visa and permit, the employee may then travel to Belgium.
- Upon arrival in Belgium, the employee will have to document their arrival with the appropriate authorities and register their place of residence.
- The employee will also have to submit an application for an identity card.
- When the ID card is ready, the employee collects it and have his/her fingerprints captured.