Is your company planning to expand operations in Belgium? Belgium is a preferred location for international business, due in part to the country’s productive workforce.
However, if you plan to relocate employees or hire new workers abroad, it’s important to make sure that all of your company’s team members have the appropriate visas and permits to work there legally.
Types of work visas in Belgium
To employ an international worker in Belgium, companies generally need to apply for authorization for the individual to work.
Since 2019, Belgium introduced the Single Permit procedure, which streamlines the process and combines work and residence authorization into 1 single document issued through a single application procedure.
If approved, the employee receives a permit that allows them to stay and work in Belgium for more than 90 days. For shorter durations, a separate work permit can be issued.
Requirements to obtain Belgium work visas
Belgium is a member of the European Union (EU), which means that nationals of other EU member states are free to work there without obtaining a work permit. Citizens from the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland are also exempt. Anyone else will need a permit.
It is up to the employer to obtain a Single Permit on behalf of international workers.
To obtain the permit, employees will need to provide the following documents as part of the application process:
- A valid passport, along with a copy of each page
- Proof of accommodation in Belgium
- Evidence of sufficient financial means
- A police background check
- A medical certificate of health
- Health insurance coverage
The Immigration Office reserves the right to request additional information and documents from the employer and applicant during the examination of the application.
Application process
International employees will need a work permit as well as a visa to live and work in Belgium, which is now unified as part of the Single Permit application. It’s the employer’s responsibility to apply for the work permit, but first, companies will need to prove that there are no job-seeking Belgian nationals who are eligible to fill the position. After doing so, the application process can begin. The process involves the following steps:
- The employer submits a work permit application to the immigration authorities in Belgium.
- Upon approval, the authorities notify the employer, employee, and the Belgian Embassy in the prospective employee’s country of residence about the approval of the work and residence permit.
- The employee visits the Belgian Embassy in their country to apply for a residence visa.
- After receiving the visa and permit, the employee may travel to Belgium.
- In Belgium, the employee registers their arrival with the appropriate authorities and records their residential address.
- The employee submits an application for an ID card.
- The employee collects the ID card and provides their fingerprints.
After completing these steps, the employee may begin working for your company in Belgium. After working under a Single Permit or work permit and completing a 10-year period of lawful and uninterrupted residence in Belgium, employees may be eligible to apply for an “Unlimited Single Permit”. This permit grants unrestricted access to the labor market and can be requested directly by the employee.
Other important considerations
To sponsor a work permit for an international employee, your company must be registered and incorporated in Belgium. If your company does not have an existing subsidiary in Belgium, you can meet this requirement by partnering with a global Employer of Record like G-P.
Discover how G-P can help you manage your global teams.
At G-P, we’re committed to breaking down barriers to global business, enabling opportunity for everyone, everywhere, and helping companies tap into the fullest potential of their workforce. We help you maintain full compliance with local laws and ensure everything from hiring and onboarding to paying your employees is quick and easy, regardless of where they are in the world.
Find out more about how our global employment platform can help you grow your team across the globe.
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At this moment, G-P does not offer support processing work visas or permits in this particular location.
For any other inquiries about our global employment platform, contact us today.