Belgium – Single permit unlimited duration application now possible via unique platform "Working in Belgium"

A single permit confirms the right to work and reside in Belgium for a period of more than 90 days. This is no different from the single permit’s unlimited duration, but what is specific about this permit is that it grants you unlimited access to the Belgian labor market. In other words, it allows you to work for any employer for any job in Belgium. Your right of residence remains limited and conditional, but you do not need to obtain a new work authorization when changing jobs.

Application

Different from the standard single permit application is that the applicant needs to make the application him/herself. Under the standard single permit application, this would be the employer or the proxy holder.

Until now, this application had to be done with the region where one holds his/her official residence. Since 1 February 2023, it is however possible to apply for a single permit for unlimited duration via the "Working in Belgium" online service. In Brussels, applications for single permits of unlimited duration can be made only through this online service. In Wallonia and Flanders, however, it is currently still possible to apply directly with the region, as well as through the online service.

The online platform will automatically determine the competent region (Flanders, Brussels, or Wallonia) for your file. Once the regional authorities have processed the work authorization in the file, they will forward the application to the Immigration Office. If all conditions are met, a single permit can be issued.

Please note that this is purely a change of a practical nature and in no way a change of a substantive nature. The conditions for obtaining this single permit, therefore, remain unchanged. These conditions are listed below according to the competent region.
 

Conditions

You must meet the following cumulative conditions:

Flanders

• You are legally residing in Belgium;

• You were working for at least 4 years in the 5 years preceding your application.

Brussels

• You are legally residing in Belgium;

• You were working for at least 4 years in the 10 years preceding your application. These 4 years can be reduced to 3 years or 2 years, if you meet any or all of the following conditions:

• You are a citizen of a country that has concluded an international agreement with Belgium (Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Morocco, Montenegro, Serbia, Tunisia, Turkey)

• Your spouse, your registered partner or your children are lawfully residing with you.

Wallonia

• You are legally residing in Belgium;

• You were working for at least 4 years in the 10 years before your application. These 4 years can be reduced to 3 years or 2 years if you meet any or all of the following conditions:

• You are a citizen of a country that has concluded international agreements with Belgium with regard to the employment of workers (Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Morocco, Montenegro, Serbia, Tunisia, Turkey).

• Your spouse, your registered partner, or your children are lawfully residing with you.

General note: Periods under a work permit exemption are not taken into account, thus you must have worked on the basis of work permits and/or single permits. In addition, only local employment is taken into account.