Foreign employee registration (non-EU)

A residence authorisation is required for any third-country national who wishes to establish his/her residence in Belgium in order to work.

Please note: a third country is a country which is neither member of the European Union (EU), nor considered as assimilated to EU Member States - Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein or Switzerland.

1. Before entering the country: temporary residence permit (visa D)

Temporary residence authorisation

As a general rule, a third-country national who wishes to work in Belgium must first obtain a work permit.

This application shall be submitted to the competent Region by the employer and must contain the documents for the work permit and for the residence permit.

Please find all the information about this procedure on the websites of the Regions:

The person must then apply for a temporary residence permit at the Belgian diplomatic or consular representation in his/her country of origin. When this permission is granted, a D visa is affixed to his/her passport. This visa is issued for a stay limited to the duration of the work permit.

2. After entering the country: registration with the municipality

If you wish to settle in the City of Brussels, you must apply for registration in order to obtain the 'single permit' (A card).

Do you have a D B34 Visa?

To request your registration, please External site make an appointment online.

More info?

You must bring the following documents to your appointment:

  • National passport
  • Valid D B34 visa
  • 1 photo
  • 35 euros (file-opening fee)

At the end of this appointment, you will be given an Annex 49 authorising you to work.

Then, a police officer will visit your residence to verify your presence at the address. If the enquiry is positive, you will be granted a second appointment to order your single permit (A card).

Renewal of your Single Permit (A card)

You must apply to the competent Region for renewal of your single permit no later than two months before its expiry date.

In order to extend your A card, please contact the Foreigners' Office of the City of Brussels to make an appointment :

You must bring the following documents to your appointment:

  • Your valid passport
  • Your renewed work permit
  • Annex 46
  • Your residence permit (A Card)
  • 1 photo
  • 26 euros (card)

If you have a work permit for an unlimited period of time, you only need to apply for the renewal of the residence authorisation (not the work permit) at the Foreigners' Office, at the latest two months before the expiry date of the single permit.

You must send us the following documents by e-mail to HUE-NEU@brucity.be:

  • valid A Card
  • a copy of your valid passport or travel document
  • proof of sufficient means of support and, where applicable, the VAT number of your employer
  • proof that you have health insurance covering all risks in Belgium for yourself and, if applicable, your family members
  • the decision of the Region authorising you to work for an unlimited period

A cross-border worker is defined as an employee in Belgium who lives in a neighbouring country to which he/she returns daily, or at least once a week.

A cross-border worker is obliged to report to the Foreigners' Office of his place of work upon initial arrival by making an appointment:

You must bring the following documents to your appointment:

  • valid national passport
  • valid residence permit from the neighbouring country
  • valid travel document, with a multiple-entry visa where applicable
  • valid B work permit (cross-border)

At the end of the appointment, the Foreigners' Office will issue you an Annex 15 valid for the duration of the work permit B.

Do you have a D B29 Visa?

You have a temporary residence permit in the form of a D B29 visa.

In order to submit your application for registration and receive your EU blue card (H Card), please contact the Foreigners' Office of the City of Brussels to make an appointment:

You must bring the following documents to your appointment:

  • national passport
  • valid D B29 visa
  • work permit
  • Annex 46
  • 1 photo
  • 35 euros

At the end of this appointment, you will be given an Annex 49 authorising you to work.

Then, a police officer will visit your residence to verify your presence at the address. If positive, a second meeting will be scheduled for you by the Foreigners' Office in order to order your residence permit (H card).

Renewal of your EU Blue Card (H Card)

You must apply to the competent Region for the renewal of your EU blue card (work permit) and request the renewal of your residence permit (residence authorisation) at the latest two months before the expiry date of your residence permit.

In order to renew your residence permit, please contact the Foreigners' Office of the City of Brussels to make an appointment:

You must bring the following documents to your appointment:

  • your valid passport
  • your residence permit (H Card)
  • your renewed work permit
  • Annex 46
  • 1 photo
  • 26 euros

Do you have a D B36 Visa - seasonal worker?

In order to receive a work permit and a residence permit, seasonal workers from third countries must follow the 'single procedure'.

You have a temporary residence permit in the form of a D B36 visa - seasonal worker.

In order to submit your application for registration and receive your residence permit (Card A), please contact the Foreigners' Office of the City of Brussels to make an appointment:

You must bring the following documents to your appointment:

  • national passport
  • valid D B36 - seasonal worker visa
  • work permit
  • Annex 46
  • 1 photo
  • 35 euros

At the end of this appointment, you will be given an Annex 49 authorising you to work. Then, a police officer will visit your residence to verify your presence at the address. If positive, a second meeting will be scheduled for you by the Foreigners' Office to order your residence permit (A Card).

Renewing your seasonal worker permit (A Card)

You can apply to the competent Region for the renewal of your seasonal worker permit (work permit) and request the renewal of your residence permit (residence authorisation) at the latest one month before the expiry date of your residence permit.

In order to renew your residence permit, please contact the Foreigners' Office of the City of Brussels to make an appointment:

You must bring the following documents to your appointment:

  • your valid passport
  • your renewed work permit
  • Annex 46
  • residence permit (A Card)
  • 1 photo
  • 26 euros

For information: a seasonal worker who has been granted a short stay (maximum 90 days) and who wishes to extend this stay beyond 90 days (long stay) can apply for a renewal of his/her seasonal worker permit. The procedure to follow is that for a single permit.

A seasonal worker who extends his/her short stay for a long stay on the basis of seasonal employment is not registered in the Foreigners' Register and does not receive a A Card. He/she is allowed to reside and work in the country with a D visa 'B36 - seasonal worker'.

Do you have a D B15 Visa?

You have a temporary residence authorisation in the form of a D B15 visa. In order to submit your application for registration and receive your residence permit, please contact the Foreigners' Office of the City of Brussels to make an appointment:

You must bring the following documents to your appointment:

  • national passport
  • valid D visa
  • 1 photo
  • 35 euros

Following this appointment, a police officer will visit your residence to verify your presence at the address. If this residence enquiry is positive, a second appointment will be scheduled by the Foreigners' Office in order to proceed with your registration and order your residence permit (A Card).

You have a C Visa or you do not have a Visa

You must first declare your arrival by External site making an appointment online.

Once you have declared your arrival, you will receive an Annex 3. In order to submit your application for registration and receive your residence permit, please contact the Foreigners' Office of the City of Brussels to make an appointment:

You must bring the following documents to your appointment:

After this appointment, a police officer will carry out a check to verify your place of residence. If the residence enquiry is positive, a second meeting will be scheduled for you by the municipal administration in order to proceed with your registration and order your residence permit (A Card).

Renewal of the A Card

You can apply to the competent Region for the renewal of your seasonal worker permit (work permit) and request the renewal of your residence permit (residence authorisation) at the latest one month before the expiry date of your residence permit.

In order to renew your residence permit (A Card), please contact the Foreigners' Office of the City of Brussels to make an appointment:

You must bring the following documents to your appointment:

  • valid passport
  • residence permit (A Card)
  • a new professional card or exemption
  • 1 photo
  • 26 euros

Do you have a Visa D B13?

You have a temporary residence authorisation in the form of a D B13 visa.

In order to submit your application for registration and receive your A Card, please contact the Foreigners' Office of the City of Brussels to make an appointment:

You must bring the following documents to your appointment:

  • national passport
  • valid D B13 visa
  • hosting agreement signed with an approved research organisation in Belgium
  • 1 photo
  • 35 euros

At the end of this appointment, you will be given an Annex 15 authorising you to work. A police officer will carry out a check to verify your place of residence. If this residence enquiry is positive, a second appointment will be scheduled by the Foreigners' Office in order to proceed with your registration and order your residence permit (A Card).

You have a C Visa or you do not have a Visa

You must contact the Foreigners' Office of the City of Brussels to make an appointment in order to declare your arrival and submit your application for a residence permit by External site making an appointment online.

More info?

You must bring the following documents to your appointment:

After this appointment, a police officer will carry out a check to verify your place of residence. If this residence enquiry is positive, a second appointment will be scheduled by the Foreigners' Office in order to proceed with your registration and order your residence permit (A Card).

Renewal of the A Card

You can apply to renew your A Card. To do so, please contact the Foreigners' Office of the City of Brussels to make an appointment:

You must provide a new hosting agreement signed with an approved research organisation in Belgium. If your file is complete, it will be sent to the Immigration Office for processing. As soon as we receive the decision concerning your application for renewal of your residence permit, the Foreigners' Office will contact you.

Third-country nationals who are seconded from another EU Member State are required to declare their posting in Belgium (digital Limosa declaration).

In order to submit your application for registration and receive your residence permit, please contact the Foreigners' Office of the City of Brussels to make an appointment:

You must bring the following documents to your appointment:

Remark: a seconded self-employed person must submit the following documents:

  • proof of payment of the 201 euros fee (or 168 euros if you have long-term resident status)
  • national passport
  • valid residence permit from another Schengen country
  • criminal record extract from your country of residence
  • External site standard medical certificate
  • mutual agreement between the two companies specifying the duration of the assignment
  • External site Limosa certificate
  • form A1
  • proof of the existence of your company as a self-employed person in the other Member State
  • proof of authorisation to work in the other Member State (such as a licence)
  • proof that you are up to date with all social security payments (in the other Member State)
  • 1 photo
  • 35 euros

If your file is complete, it will be sent to the Immigration Office for processing and a police officer will carry out a check to verify your place of residence. As soon as we receive the decision of the Immigration Office concerning your application for a residence permit, the Foreigners' Office will contact you.

Renewal of the A Card

You can apply to renew your A Card. To do so, please contact the Foreigners' Office of the City of Brussels to make an appointment:

You must provide the same documents as when you submitted your application. If your file is complete, it will be sent to the Immigration Office for processing. As soon as we receive the decision concerning your application for renewal of your residence permit, the Foreigners' Office will contact you.

Do you have a D B14 Visa?

You have a temporary residence permit in the form of a D B14 visa and a work permit B.

In order to submit your application for registration and receive your Card A, please contact the Foreigners' Office of the City of Brussels to make an appointment:

You must bring the following documents to your appointment:

  • national passport
  • valid D B14 visa
  • B Work permit
  • 1 photo
  • 35 euros

At the end of this appointment, you will be given an Annex 15 authorising you to work. A police officer will carry out a check to verify your place of residence. If this residence enquiry is positive, a second appointment will be scheduled by the Foreigners' Office in order to proceed with your registration and order your residence permit (A Card).

You have a C Visa or you do not have a Visa

You must contact the Foreigners' Office of the City of Brussels to make an appointment in order to declare your arrival and submit your application for a residence permit:

More info?

You must bring the following documents to your appointment:

After this appointment, a police officer will carry out a check to verify your place of residence. If this residence enquiry is positive, a second appointment will be scheduled by the Foreigners' Office in order to proceed with your registration and order your residence permit (A Card).

Do you have a D B36 Visa?

You have a temporary residence permit in the form of a D B36 visa.

In order to submit your application for registration and receive your ICT residence permit, please contact the Foreigners' Office of the City of Brussels to make an appointment:

You must bring the following documents to your appointment:

  • national passport
  • valid D B36 visa
  • Annex 46
  • 1 photo
  • 35 euros

At the end of this appointment, you will be given an Annex 49 authorising you to work. A police officer will carry out a check to verify your place of residence. If this residence enquiry is positive, a second appointment will be made by the Foreigners' Office to order your residence permit ('ICT' I Card).

Renewal of your ICT permit (Card I)

You must apply to the competent Region for the renewal of your 'ICT' work permit and request the renewal of your residence permit (residence authorisation) at the latest two months before the expiry date of your residence permit.

In order to renew your residence permit (Card I), please contact the Foreigners' Office of the City of Brussels to make an appointment:

You must bring the following documents to your appointment:

  • valid passport
  • Annex 46
  • residence permit (I Card)
  • 1 photo
  • 26 euros

In order to submit your application for registration and receive your 'Mobile ICT' residence permit, please contact the Foreigners' Office of the City of Brussels to make an appointment:

You must bring the following documents to your appointment:

  • national passport
  • Annex 46
  • valid ICT residence permit issued by the first Member State
  • 1 photo
  • 35 euros

At the end of this appointment, you will be given an Annex 49 authorising you to work. A residence survey will be carried out to verify your presence at the address. If this residence enquiry is positive, a second appointment will be made by the Foreigners' Office to order your residence permit ('Mobile ICT' J Card).

Renewal of your Mobile ICT permit (J Card)

You must apply to the competent Region for the renewal of your 'ICT Mobile' work permit and request the renewal of your residence permit (residence authorisation) at the latest two months before the expiry date of your residence permit.

In order to renew your residence permit (J Card), please contact the Foreigners' Office of the City of Brussels to make an appointment:

You must bring the following documents to your appointment:

  • valid passport
  • residence permit (J Card)
  • Annex 46
  • 1 photo
  • 26 euros

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