Travel while waiting for nationality decision

Last activity 07 June 2022 by Aneesh

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anindya17Member04 June 2022 21:56:37

Hey folks,

I wanted to ask people who gained citizenship by naturalization if you were allowed to travel outside the EU while the Belgian Nationality application was under process.

I have a job that requires me to travel on business to the UK and US on a frequent basis. I am about to submit my application for nationality this month, but I am a bit apprehensive of the consequences of my travel. I fear that I'll be absent during the police verification of my address. Does anyone know if they leave a note if they don't find you at home?

Also, once granted citizenship, I've heard the residence permit is cancelled immediately since your file is moved from the foreigners register to the citizens register. In that case, any idea how someone can re-enter Belgium if they are outside the country at the time?

Please share your experiences and advice.

AlexFromBelgiumAnimateur Belgique EN/FR04 June 2022 22:30:01

1739

Hello,

as long as your permanent resident card is valid, you can of course travel and come back.

In your case, when you request your Belgian Nationality at the commune, you'll have to explain your job and that you're often out of Belgium.

If you know the dates, it's even better as you can call your local police and speak with your local agent that is responsible of your area. That's also an excellent way to prove that you've an A2 level in FR/NL.

If you're not there the first two time, they won't let any message.

The third time, if you're still not there you'll have a document in your mail box and it's super urgent to contact your local agent to have an appointment.

Your resident permit will technically be canceled once you receive your Belgian ID card, so no problem to cross the border back to Belgium/EU.

So once it's approved, you'll go to the commune with new ID pictures, come +/- 7 days later and you'll give back your old resident permit.

Lizliz55New member04 June 2022 22:58:36

@AlexFromBelgium

Thanks Alex, this is very useful for my situation as well, very similar to the author of this topic. So just to clarify, when you get your nationality approved, you go to the commune with some ID pictures, and then 7 days later you have the new one? So for those 7 days you don’t have any ID, correct?

AlexFromBelgiumAnimateur Belgique EN/FR06 June 2022 09:57:21

1739

no, normally you keep your resident card until you receive your Belgian ID card.

Or if the commune pick your resident card in the first appointment, they'll at least give you an annexe that cover your stay until you get your ID card in case you have a police check or whatever.

anindya17Member06 June 2022 17:07:30

@AlexFromBelgium

Thank you from your response. I am relieved to know the police will drop a note if they can't reach me three times.

For the second part of my question, I was wondering what happens if I am already outside the EU when the nationality is granted? My current passport (Indian) does not allow visa-free travel to the EU and though technically I can still get on a flight to Belgium showing my residence permit, it will show as cancelled when the Border Control police swipe my card in their system. Does the government send, or can I retrieve from somewhere, any electronic document that can be used to prove citizenship?

KdeepakContributor06 June 2022 20:43:44

158

I can give you the best example since I have did that personally.

So first question is if you are allowed to travel during the process: Yes you are allowed as long as you have your valid RP.

In my experience I have travelled to Indian during my process since my ID was about to expire so I have just asked to renew from City Hall and then I traveled without any worry.

Second question if you granted the nationality while you are in India. So you will have not any issue with your ID during your return.

In my experience I have even used my RP ID when I have even my new citizenship ID card. So no issues at all.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to DM.

Cheer,

AneeshBelgium expert07 June 2022 04:26:58

2000

@AlexFromBelgium

Thank you from your response. I am relieved to know the police will drop a note if they can't reach me three times.

For the second part of my question, I was wondering what happens if I am already outside the EU when the nationality is granted? My current passport (Indian) does not allow visa-free travel to the EU and though technically I can still get on a flight to Belgium showing my residence permit, it will show as cancelled when the Border Control police swipe my card in their system. Does the government send, or can I retrieve from somewhere, any electronic document that can be used to prove citizenship?
- @anindya17

Hello Anindya, your existing residence permit will not get cancelled automatically when your citizenship application is approved. You will get an invitation from the townhall to change your RP to a Belgian EID. Till this is done, your RP stays valid.

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