What is the single work permit?

The single work permit is an official document that authorises you to live and work in Belgium for more than 90 days. It merges two previously separate procedures: the residence permit and the work permit.

This procedure was introduced by the law of 9 May 2018, which transposes a European directive (2011/98/EU). It applies to any non-European person wishing to pursue salaried employment on Belgian territory.

Good to know This procedure does not constitute a regularization. If you are in an irregular situation, you cannot benefit from it until you have left Belgian territory.

The work and residence authorisations are inseparable: if one is withdrawn or expired, the other automatically becomes invalid.

What does the single permit contain?

The permit takes the form of a residence card with a notation relating to access to the labour market:

• Labour market: valid for a single employer
• Labour market: you may change employer (subject to conditions)
• Labour market: you are not authorised to work

Does this procedure apply to you?

Depending on your current situation, the way you submit your application varies.

You are already in Belgium

You can submit an application if you are in legal residence, for a period of more or less three months. Your future employer must submit the file on your behalf to the competent Region (Flanders, Wallonia or Brussels).

You are still abroad

In this case, your Belgian employer will submit the application. Once the authorisation is obtained, you will receive a D visa from the Belgian consulate in your country.

You are in irregular residence

You cannot submit an application while you are in Belgium without a valid residence permit. You must return to your country of origin so that your employer can initiate the procedure.

Do you need a single work permit?

You are exempt from a permit

In certain situations, you can work without a work permit. This is the case in particular if:

• You are a national of a European Economic Area country or Switzerland
• You are a recognised refugee
• You are a student undertaking a compulsory internship
• You are a beneficiary of subsidiary or temporary protection
• You are the spouse or child of a foreign national already authorised to reside

Good to know There are more than 20 cases of full exemption from a work permit. If you think you may qualify, check your status or consult a professional.

You need a permit

If you do not fall within an exemption, you will need a work permit. It will only be granted:

• If no Belgian or European worker can fill the position within a reasonable timeframe
• If your country of origin has concluded an agreement with Belgium
• Or if you belong to a recognised particular category

The 4 cases in which you can obtain a single work permit

1. You belong to a particular category

The law provides exceptions for certain profiles:

• Trainees between 18 and 30 years of age
• Highly qualified personnel (annual salary ≥ €50,310)
• Senior executives (salary ≥ €83,936)
• Researchers, teachers, specialised technicians
• Professional athletes, performing artists, au pairs
• Workers on secondment or training within a multinational group

2. You are a long-term resident in another EU country

If you hold this status, you can work in Belgium in a shortage occupation, provided you present a document compliant with European Directive 2003/109/EC.

3. You submitted a regularization application in 2009

If you applied for a residence permit between September and December 2009, the Immigration Office may make its approval conditional on obtaining a work permit.

4. You work in a shortage occupation

Each Region publishes an annual list of shortage occupations. If your profile matches one of them, your application has a greater chance of success.

Example (Brussels) If fewer than 27 candidates are available in the regional database for a given position, the permit may be granted to you.

How to submit your single permit application?

Step 1: File submission

Your employer must submit an application to the competent Region, before the start of your contract. The file must contain:

• Supporting documents for the work permit
• Documents for the residence permit

Good to know If you are applying for an unlimited authorisation (type A or C), you must submit the application yourself.

Step 2: Admissibility check

The Region checks whether the file is complete. If it is not, you have 15 days to provide the missing documents. Without a response, the application is automatically refused.

Step 3: Forwarding to the Immigration Office

Once the file is complete, the Region forwards everything to the Immigration Office within 15 days.

• The Region handles the work component
• The Immigration Office handles the residence component

Good to know The maximum response time is 4 months. After this period, if no negative decision has been issued, the permit is considered granted.

What are the possible outcomes after your application?

Favourable decision (standard)

If both authorities accept your application, you receive an Annex 46, which serves as a temporary authorisation.

You are in Belgium

• You are registered in the foreigners’ register
• You receive an Annex 49 authorising you to stay for 45 days (renewable twice)
• After the residence investigation, an A card is issued to you (residence permit + work authorisation)

You are abroad

• You obtain a D visa from the Belgian consulate
• A notation « B34 – Single permit » is added to your visa
• You must register in Belgium within 8 days of your arrival

Partial favourable decision

If you obtain the work authorisation but not the residence authorisation, you receive an Annex 48.

Refusal

If your work authorisation is refused, you are informed directly, as is your employer. The permit is refused in its entirety.

You have two appeal options, depending on the component concerned:

• Work refusal: lodge an appeal with the competent Regional Minister
• Residence refusal: lodge an appeal before the Council for Alien Law Litigation

Each appeal must be substantiated and submitted within the legal deadlines.

Your contract has ended: do you still have the right to stay?

Yes, the legislation grants you a period of 90 days from the end of your employment. During this period, you can:

• Look for a new employer
• Submit a new single permit application

Your right of residence is temporarily maintained.