More than 90 days

As a non-European citizen, the possibilities of obtaining a residence permit are more limited than for a European citizen and will be granted mainly for the purposes of work, studies or family reunification.  Applications are normally submitted from the country of origin via the Belgian Embassy, but some residence applications may be made from Belgium depending on your situation.

FROM YOUR HOME COUNTRY VIA THE BELGIAN EMBASSY

STEP 1 : Ask for an A.S.P or temporary residence permit in your home country (D visa)

Any future resident wishing to stay for more than three months in Belgium as student, trainee, salaried employee, self-employed worker, person with sufficient means, or family member must first apply to a Belgian embassy or consulate in his country of origin for a "temporary residence permit".

Make sure to present the embassy with the following documents:

• a travel document (national passport) valid for at least 12 months and in which a visa may be affixed;
• 2 visa application forms filled out and signed + 2 passport photos in color;
• a certificate of good conduct (or an equivalent document recognised by the Belgian authorities) not older than 6 months and covering the preceding year;
• a medical certificate issued by a doctor recognised by the Belgian embassy or consulate;
• other documents (See below the table) are requested by the embassy or consulate depending on your status (employee, self-employed worker, trainee, family member...);
• a translation of these documents by a certified translator, unless they are already  in French or Dutch;
• a legalisation of these documents in the country of origin.
• If the country from which the document originates has signed up to the Apostille Convention, the competent foreign authority will apply the apostille stamp. A summary of all competent authorities per country (in English) that can provide an apostille stamp can be found here.
• a fee  will be asked.

GOOD TO KNOW : Most diplomatic posts work with external service providers as VFS or TLS to collect the application and to issue the visa.. For most diplomatic posts and exernal service providers, visa forms will need to be filled out online, and sometimes the appointment will also need to be made online. See here for more details.

STEP 2 : Report to the municipality

After arrival in Belgium, future residents must register within 8 working days of arrival with the population or aliens department of the municipality of residence.

If you already know the location where you are going to live, you can make an appointment with the local municipality beforehand, as it can sometimes take a long time.

Make sure to present the municipality with the following documents :

• A valid passport with the D visa issued by the Belgian embassy in your home country.
• Your lease contract.
• Some ID passport photos.

Your municipality will then issue a temporary document  (Appendix 15 or Appendix 49). Expect a control of residence by the police after which you will be registered in the aliens register and will get a national number.

STEP 3 : Receive a Certificate of Registration in the Register of Foreigners (C.I.R.E) for a limited time (A card)

• After +/- 1 month you will be called by the commune to order your electronic residence permit.Once you receive PIN/PUK codes at your home address you will then be able to collect your residence permit in person at the municipatliy.
• The municipality will issue a so-called A Card, comprising a Certificate of Registration in the Register of Foreigners, which permits or admits aliens for a limited time. This document is generally valid for 1 year and may be extended, unless the "temporary residence permit" stipulates a limit on the length of stay. It allows foreigners to travel in the Schengen countries but always with a valid passport.

FROM BELGIUM VIA THE MUNICIPALITY

If you are already in Belgium you can in certain cases introduce your request for a long term residence permit directly at the municipality of your place of residence.

STEP 1 : Report to the municipality to introduce a request of residence permit issue

Present yourself within 8 working days of arrival with the population or aliens department of the municipality of residence.

If you already know the location where you are going to live, you can make an appointment with the local municipality beforehand, as it can sometimes take a long time.

Bring the following documents:

• A valid passport or a residence permit issued by a member state of the European Union or a statement of arrival (see “Declaration of arrival”);
• Your lease contract;
• A certificate of good conduct (duly certified by your home country) not older than 6 months and covering the preceding year;
• A medical certificate;
• Other documents are requested depending on your status (employee, student, trainee, family member...).
• Some passport photographs;
• You must also pay a fee.

Expect a control of residence by the police after which you will be registered in the aliens register and will get a national number.

STEP 2 : Receive a Certificate of Registration in the Register of Foreigners (C.I.R.E) for a limited time (A card)

• After +/- 3 months (this period varies according to the nature of the file) you will be called by the commune to order your electronic residence permit. Once you receive PIN/PUK codes at your home address you will then be able to collect your residence permit in person at the municipatliy.
•  The municipality will issue a so-called A Card, comprising a Certificate of Registration in the Register of Foreigners, which permits or admits aliens for a limited time. This is generally valid for 1 year. This document allows foreigners to travel in the Schengen countries but always with a valid passport.