What is the single work permit?

The single work permit is a procedure that combines two authorisations issued in a single process:

• The right to reside (authorisation to live in Belgium)
• The right to work (authorisation to engage in salaried professional activity for more than 90 days)

These two rights are inseparable: if one is refused or withdrawn, the other is as well.

Please note This permit does not allow the regularization of a person already in an irregular situation on the territory.

When should you apply for a single permit?

The single work permit applies in two cases:

The worker is abroad

The Belgian employer submits the application. Once the permit is approved, the worker obtains a D visa through the Belgian consulate in their country to enter Belgium legally.

The worker is already in Belgium with a valid temporary residence permit (> 3 months)

The employer submits the application from Belgium. This allows a change of status (e.g. from « student » to « salaried worker »).

What are the 4 steps to obtain a single permit?

Step 1: Submission of the application

It is always the Belgian employer who submits the application to the competent Region (Brussels, Flanders or Wallonia), depending on the place of work.

The application must include:

• Documents relating to the work permit (contract, profile, etc.)
• Documents relating to the residence permit (identity documents, insurance, etc.)

Step 2: Verification by the Region

The Region verifies:

• The admissibility of the file: if documents are missing, a 15-day period is granted to complete the file.
• The merits of the file: it analyses whether the profile meets the conditions (type of occupation, qualifications, salary, possible labour shortage, etc.).

Step 3: Transmission to the Immigration Office

Once validated, the file is sent to the Immigration Office (federal authority), which analyses only the residence aspect (regularity of the worker, compliance with security conditions, etc.).

Maximum legal timeframe for the entire procedure: 4 months from the complete application.

Step 4: Final decision

If the application is accepted:

• The worker receives an Annex 46 or a residence authorisation depending on their situation.
• They will be able to receive an A card (temporary residence with work access) to be collected at the municipality.

Appeals in case of refusal

Refusal of the work component

You may lodge an appeal with the Regional Minister of Employment within 30 days.

Refusal of the residence component

You may lodge an appeal with the Council for Alien Law Litigation within 30 days.

What categories of profiles are concerned by the single permit?

1. Profiles in a shortage occupation

Flanders

• 29 medium-skilled occupations
• 241 critical professions
• Job offer published for 9 weeks on VDAB and EURES
• Minimum employment rate: 80%

Brussels

• List of occupations on Actiris
• No labour market analysis for these occupations
• For others: job advertisement published for 5 weeks with Actiris support

Wallonia

One of the following 4 conditions must be met:

• The occupation is on the shortage list of FOREM
• The offer remained unfilled for 5 weeks
• The search through FOREM was unsuccessful
• A reasoned assessment by the delegated official

In case of refusal, an exemption may be requested from the Minister of Employment.

2. Highly qualified profiles

General conditions

• Degree of at least 3 years of higher education
• Degree recognised in the country of origin
• Public institution only (degrees from private schools are not accepted)

Minimum gross salary (2025)

• Flanders: EUR 50,310/year (reduced to EUR 40,248 if under 30 or a nurse)
• Brussels: EUR 3,703.44/month
• Wallonia: same as Flanders

3. Management positions

• Minimum gross salary: EUR 83,936/year (2024)
• No specific degree requirement, but a management function and responsibility must be demonstrated

4. EU Blue Card

An alternative to the single permit for highly qualified profiles.

Conditions

• Permanent contract or contract of at least 1 year
• Minimum gross salary: Brussels: EUR 4,748/month | Flanders & Wallonia: EUR 65,053/year
• Recognised higher education degree or 3 years of relevant professional experience in the last 7 years
• Position in the ICT sector (Information and Communication Technologies)