The Economic Migration Department is presently experiencing a major influx of applications. As a result, processing currently takes nine weeks.
Please take this timing into consideration when submitting your application.

Conditions

If you belong to at least one of the two categories below, you are eligible for a single permit with an indefinite term:

Category 1

  • You are legally residing in Belgium.
  • You have been working for at least 4 of the 5 years prior to your application.
  • You work on the basis of a work permit and/or a single permit.

Turkish nationals are subject to more lenient conditions based on the EU-Turkey Association Agreement. They can apply for a single permit of indefinite duration as early as after three years of employment. This period is further reduced by one year, to two years, if the spouse or registered partner or children together with the Turkish national reside lawfully in Belgium.

Category 2

  • You’ve been granted the status of long-term resident citizen(opens in new window) in a different member state of the European Union.
  • You legally reside in Belgium.
  • You were working in Belgium for at least 12 months in the 18 months prior to your application.
  • You work on the basis of a work permit and/or a single permit.

What qualifies as a work period

Were you incapacitated for work during your employment? Then we also consider this period to be a work period if you meet the following conditions:

  • Your incapacity was the result of:
    • illness
    • a work-related illness, or
    • a work-related accident.
  • You became incapacitated at a time when you were regularly employed by your Belgium-based employer.

What does not qualify as a work period

The periods below are not eligible for inclusion in an application for a single permit with an indefinite term.

Submit your application by email

Submit your application for a single permit with an indefinite term yourself, via email.

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