Belgium Work Visa Process 2024 (Types of Work Permits)

Belgium is a country in Western Europe and it has headquarters of the European Union and NATO. Today I came up with the Belgium Work Visa Process. I hope it is helpful for you. Previously I wrote an article on the Belgium Student Visa Process because the applications are open for the Master Mind Scholarships 2024. To work in Belgium, non-EU nationals will need a work permit, a long-stay visa, and a residence permit.

According to Eurostat, Belgium issued 143,657 work permits in 2022. It ranks 7th among EU countries in terms of the total number of work permits issued in 2022. The purpose of this visa is to take up employment in Belgium based on a work permit. If you are looking to get a Belgium work visa the first step is to get a Job offer. Because you will apply for a work permit later based on the employment contract. Citizens of some countries can work in Belgium without a work permit or visa. More details are given below.

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Who Needs a Belgium Work Permit, Visa, and Residence Permit?

As a non-EU or EEA national, you must apply for a work permit first or your employer can do it on your behalf. Then you need to apply for a long-stay visa to enter Belgium, and after you arrive, you have to apply for a residence permit.

Also Check: UAE Virtual Work Visa 2024 (Dubai’s Digital Nomad Visa)

Who can Work in Belgium Without a Work Visa?

Citizens of the EU, EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway), and Switzerland can work in Belgium without a visa or work permit.

Citizens of the countries listed below can get a residence and work permit after arriving in Belgium without previously applying for a visa.

• United States
• Japan
• Canada
• New Zealand
• Australia
• Israel

Types of Belgium Work Permits

There are three types of work permits for foreign nationals in Belgium:

• Type A Permit
• Type B Permit
• Type C Permit

Belgium Type A Work Permit: This permit is for highly skilled workers which allows you to work for any employer in Belgium.

• Conditions of Type A Permit
  • You must have held the type B permit previously for four years within a ten-year stay in Belgium.
  • Validity: Unlimited

Belgium Type B Work Permit: This permit is for the one who has a valid Job offer from the Belgium employer. Your employer can also apply on your behalf to get this permit.

• Validity: 1 year, renewable with the same employer.

Belgium Type C Work Permit: Temporary workers, asylum seekers, or individuals with limited residency permits seeking short-term employment.

Also Check: Netherlands Work Visa Process 2024 (Types of Permits)

Seasonal Workers in Belgium

Seasonal workers employed for a specific period in Belgium in sectors like agriculture, horticulture, or hospitality. For this situation, Belgium offers two different seasonal worker permits depending on the duration of your stay:

• Short-stay permit (up to 90 days)
• Long-stay permit (up to 150 days)

Requirements of a Belgium Work Visa

• Your Passport
• Application form
• Photo not older than 6 months.
• Non-European citizens need a work permit (single or work permit)

Note: The required documents vary from country to country. It is best to check with the Belgium embassy located in your country. The list of the embassies can be found here

Also Check: Maldives Work Visa Process 2024 (Quickest Processing Time)

How to Apply for the Belgium Work Visa?

Here are the steps involved in the Belgium Work Visa Process:

1. Receive a Job offer from the Belgian employer. Look for Jobs on some online portals such as EURES, the European Job Mobility Portal.
2. Your Employer can initiate the process to apply for a work permit.
3. Apply for a work visa at the Belgium embassy or VFS Global. Take all documents with you. You have to apply for the Long Stay Type D Visa.
4. Travel to Belgium and visit the local town hall to receive your work and residence permit.

Visa Cost

The Cost of a Belgium Work Visa is 180 Euros.

Processing Time

Well, the time for a Visa application depends on the country from where you are applying. On average work visa applications can take up to 8 to 10 weeks.

Also Check: Slovenia Work Visa 2024 🇸🇮 (Application Process, Requirements)

Visa Validity

All Long Stay visas are valid for one year. But you can renew your work visa in the Immigration Office at your local city hall.

Permanent Residency in Belgium

After living and working in Belgium for five years, you will be able to apply for permanent residence or a work permit type A that has unlimited validity.

Pro Tip: Get a Belgium study visa, and later on find a Job in Belgium and then convert it to a work permit.

Belgium Immigration Office: This is the official site that has details on all work permits, forms, and application processes for third-country nationals.

I hope this information provides a helpful overview of Belgium’s worker permits and visa process. Please share with others.