New administrative fees as from January 1, 2024

Since 2015, Belgian residence or visa D applications are subject to the payment of an administrative fee. This administrative fee covers the costs of processing the application and 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.

Indexation

Generally the administrative fee knows a yearly indexation. Therefore as of January 1, 2024, the administrative fees will know a slight increase.

The following situations will be impacted by the increase in the administrative fee:

• 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 1, 2024 will be subject to the increased fee, unless an exception applies. Even when the appointments were made before January 1, 2024, if the file is only introduced after this date, the increased fee applies. The authorities have indicated that the proof of payment of an amount applicable in 2023 made before January 31, 2024 will, however, be accepted.