Unlimited single permit or card D

Yes, You can apply once you have completed 5 Years. That means, Wait for 1 Year and then go to the commune to apply for D or B card.

This is a question that I have never got a certain answer.

Some say that "you cannot apply for D card if you have a valid A card". So, in other words, if your current A card expired at the end of year 4, then you will get new A card for 3 more years, which makes you wait until year 7 to apply for D card.

If this is the case, it is unfair because you need to wait another 2 years. (7 years rather than 5).

Why that option of unlimited single permit after 4 years of work is needed at all if the one can apply for card D after 5 years.

I think most people use this option for two reasons:

• if they renew A card, then it is another 3 years to apply D card due to "you cannot apply D card if you have valid A card". You then need 7 years for D card (4+3). But if you get unlimited single permit, it is for 1 year, so you will be able to apply for D card at the end of year 5 (4+1).
• They want to change jobs easily.

@John Deyta I know people who applied for D card with valid A card... at least 4 people...weird that rule never seen it before

@ievgenfeldmann that's good news indeed!

I know two people who were told about this rule (from two communes in Flanders).

p.s. What I mean by 'valid A card' actually there is still more than 6 months to expiration date.

@John Deyta I think all commune can reply different, in this matter better to check with layer..for commune it is easier to say to wait for another 3 years

@ievgenfeldmann

this is an example: https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.p … 10#5256920

@John Deyta People can lie but cannot hide the information because the government have it. They know the ID card number, its duration, its expiry date etc. because its in your dossier.

Having an A card with more than 1 year on it does not preclude you from applying for the L card (formerly the D).

The reason to switch to the unlimited A card is to make it easy to change jobs - a new employer would not have to sponsor you.

If you like your current position and your company is financially stable there is no need to go for the unlimited card. If you believe your company may restructure you might want to change to the A card as it would make it easier to jump into a new position.

Update: was in commune today making my new card A, commune confirmed in 1 year I can apply for card L (previously D) even if card A is valid.

Actually card A must be valid at least 6 month, as procedure takes time that what they told me.

Hello

I hope you are all doing well.

I was hired by a company, and they assisted me to get my Visa D ( single permit).

But after i got my visa. The company sent me a mail indicating that they will prospone my arrival to belgium to next year because of vacancy shortage

My question is : in my situation, if i find another company we can use my current visa ( come to belgium with my current visa and just get a new work permit ) or should we repeat the whole process (6 months) to get a new visa and come to belgium

Thank you a lot for support

@Raid steinner No you cant as visa and Annex 46 is linked to the company VAT number and code,  also this number appears on your ID card. Unfortunately it is impossible

Visa d is not single permit. You can come with visa d in Belgium. But If I were you, I would get first single permit and after come.