Work Permit for Dependents in Belgium

Some previous threads on same or similar topic:

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=621020https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=569260

All about work permits:
https://www.belgium.be/en/work/coming_t … ork_permit

The best in my opinion is to get a job offer (company applies B type WP for you in this case)

With only English language proficiency, MNCs with international client-base (or those handle international business from Brussels) or Belgian subsidiaries of foreign companies are the only potential hiring organizations. For jobs in local companies (with majority local employees or which deals with local clientele) or local customer facing jobs, local language (FR or NL - pretty good conversational) skills are a must.

Other options are to register as self employed or freelancer. Professional card or blue card are options to try. More info:

http://www.belgium.be/en/work/coming_to … employmenthttp://werk-economie-emploi.brussels/en … -etrangers

Guidelines in setting up own business.

http://business.belgium.be/en/managing_ … _business/

Hope this helps.


If you have more specific questions, please feel free to ask !

Thanks aneeshks !

The prospective employers usually ask whether I already have a work permit or not. (And I believe it is the deal breaker as I say no to that).

Do you have an idea/s on -
1. whether I can apply for a work permit myself if an employer is willing to offer me a job
2. Can I apply for work permit type C

If the employer is not ready to get a work permit for you, they may be looking for candidates that are citizens or permanent residents.

http://www.werk.be/en/work-permits/work-permit   This page has more clear guidelines on all WP types and criteria of eligibility.

In a nutshell:

-> Work permit A can be applied only after you work for a certain minimum period of time (3 or 4 years depending on the nationality) on work permit B.
-> Work permit B can be applied only by the employer.
-> Work permit C is not for your resident status in Belgium (The work permit C will be issued to persons who are already in Belgium, not in the first place to work, but for certain reasons to stay (e.g. as an asylum seeker, sponsor, student, etc.).)

Correction on Oct/2018 regarding work permit C: You may want to read this criteria list in https://www.werk.be/en/work-permits/wor … s-eligible   if you meet one of the multiple eligibility criteria, you may apply for a Work permit C

The other option as I mentioned is to get a professional card.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for this post. This is really useful for my husband who will move with me to Brussels.

Best,
Elif

@lostinthoughts, @AneeshKS : Correction on the Work Permit C.
My spouse(Non EU) recently applied for a Work Permit C and was granted one.
She is my dependant and the criterion was family reunification(not asylum, study or the others); work not being the sole reason for residency in Belgium.
However, approval/grant  would vary from one person's situation to the next, hence best to check this in person with the Economic Migration Dept. specific to one's situation.
More information here.

This is good info and very helpful for many in this forum. Thanks !

(Edited previous responses on this topic in other threads for consistency of information).

@LSDS Thanks a lot for this information.

LSDS wrote:

@lostinthoughts, @AneeshKS : Correction on the Work Permit C.
My spouse(Non EU) recently applied for a Work Permit C and was granted one.
She is my dependant and the criterion was family reunification(not asylum, study or the others); work not being the sole reason for residency in Belgium.
However, approval/grant  would vary from one person's situation to the next, hence best to check this in person with the Economic Migration Dept. specific to one's situation.
More information here.

Hi LSDS,

Can you elaborate a bit more?

How did your partner apply?

What were the conditions? Anything will be helpful for a number of people here.

Thanks.

@Maximus24: as mentioned, application process is straightforward if you follow the link shared above.

The applicant(if eligible) would need to obtain a signed/legalized info sheet from their commune/gemente which would go along with the other documents to submit as per the link that would require to be submitted at the Economic Migration Dept.
Again as I stated, acceptance is subject to the department's review and varies from case to case but indeed, family-reunification is an applicable criterion for Type C.

hope that helps.

LSDS wrote:

@Maximus24: as mentioned, application process is straightforward if you follow the link shared above.

The applicant(if eligible) would need to obtain a signed/legalized info sheet from their commune/gemente which would go along with the other documents to submit as per the link that would require to be submitted at the Economic Migration Dept.
Again as I stated, acceptance is subject to the department's review and varies from case to case but indeed, family-reunification is an applicable criterion for Type C.

hope that helps.

Yes it does. Thanks. In the application, one has to choose gezinshereniging in aanvraag or erkende gezinshereniging?

Maximus24 wrote:

Yes it does. Thanks. In the application, one has to choose gezinshereniging in aanvraag or erkende gezinshereniging?

Link This is the form for Brussels Capital region(Forms under "How to apply for a type-C work permit" section).

Details would be specific to your situation and depending on whether the family reunification has already been processed or is in processing(applied for).
On the info sheet, the commune/gemente will validate details entered  and make corrections if any while Legalizing the form.

@LSDS, could you please tell how much time did it take for the WP?

Default usually is a month to receive the decision(notification posted to the home address). If positive you can then collect the card on invitation from your commune.
This is specific to my case, stating again.
Cheers!

Thank you so much for letting us know. Will get in touch with you if I would need any further info.

Hello..
I found your information helpful. My question is, were you already a permanent resident when your wife applied for the work permit c.

My specific case yes but that is not the criterion for the approval. It is based on the fact that the applicant is not in the country for work being the primary reason but on basis of family reunification.
Again this is my specific understanding and situation so use your best judgement.

@LSDS: Thank you for that information!

I have one question though: was you spouse already with you in Belgium (under a dependent visa) when she applied for a work permit?

I believe this is directly implied when you she's your dependent but I just wanted to make sure.

Thanks!

Kindly go through the forum to search relevant update since Jan 2019 where this is tied to the RP.

LSDS wrote:

Kindly go through the forum to search relevant update since Jan 2019 where this is tied to the RP.

Sure, I'll do it.

p.s.: what's RP?

RP = Residence Permit (titre de sejour in french)

Hi.
There is only you can apply for work permit A.  Work permit B when you  have Europeunoin card and when you have unlimited contract.
Normally when you go to stad House they will explain you.
Thank you