Belgium – Indexation of administrative fees as from 1 January 2023

Since 2015, Belgian residence or long term visa D applications are subject to the payment of an administrative fee, which is to cover the costs of processing the application. Proof of full and correct payment is needed in order for the application to be admissible.

The administrative fee is charged per person and per application, with the amount being linked to the purpose of the residence application or visa D application. Certain categories of applicants are exempted from this contribution based on their age or purpose of the application.

The new amounts of the most common categories of applications are listed below:

The following situations are impacted by the update in the administrative fees:

• New single permit applications that are introduced via the competent Belgian authorities;

• New visa D applications that are introduced via the competent Belgian Embassies or Consulates;

• Applications for residence that are introduced via the Belgian town halls (e.g. individuals who are already in Belgium on the basis of short stay (passport or Schengen visa C) and who apply for long stay in Belgium);

• All changes of residence status (e.g. a student who changes his residence status to the status of employee).

For the residence permit extensions where the individuals remain in the same status, no administrative fee needs to be paid.

Residence application files introduced as from January 01, 2023 are subject to the updated fees, unless an exception applies. Even when the appointments were made before January 01, 2023, if the file is introduced after this date, the new fee applies.
 

What to do next?

Do check that the correct amount of administrative fee is paid before filing an application and if needed, make an extra payment to cover the missing amount.

Questions? Contact the immigration professional with whom you work at EY.