How to obtain a work permit in Belgium?
Are you relocating employees abroad to Belgium? Then it’s crucial to understand the options for work permits in Belgium. When working with an Employer of Record (EOR), there are often specific rules and limitations around work permits and immigration.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through the key things to consider when asking Parakar to hire employees in Belgium who require a work permit.
Work permits in Belgium
If your employee will be working in Belgium, there are three main types of permits that may apply:
- Work Permit Type-B
- Single Permit
- EU Blue Card
Which one is right depends on the duration of the stay and the employee’s profile.
Work Permit Type-B
If the employee will work in Belgium for a maximum of 90 days, you usually need to apply for a Work Permit Type-B.
This permit is also used for specific categories of workers, even if they stay longer than 90 days, such as:
- Cross-border workers
- Workers who are resident at a hotel
- Au pairs
The Single Permit
TThe Single Permit is a combined residence and work permit. With a Single Permit, non-European citizens are allowed to live and work in Belgium for more than 90 days.
Parakar, as the future employer (or Employer of Record), will start the procedure and submit the application. The permit is issued by the Immigration Department and includes both the right to work and the right to stay in Belgium. This means the employee does not need to apply for a separate visa.
For highly skilled employees, the processing time is usually 120 days, starting from the moment the application is declared admissible.
The EU Blue Card
The EU Blue Card is actually a special form of the Single Permit for highly skilled employees and is generally considered more advantageous because of the following reasons:
- The period for obtaining a single permit for an EU Blue Card is 90 days from the date when the application is declared admissible by the competent region, as opposed to the usual 120 days.
- After 18 months of residence in an EU Member State as holder of an EU Blue Card, the employee concerned can move to another EU Member State to work as a highly qualified employee. He/she has to comply with the conditions imposed by that EU Member State for obtaining an EU Blue Card. If that Member State refuses to admit the employee because this person does not meet the conditions, the Belgian government is obliged to take him back without formalities (provided that the person concerned has not lost the right to return). Even if the Belgian EU Blue Card has expired in the meantime.
- It is valid for any employer after two years of employment. This means that the employee would not have to apply for a new Single Permit to change employers.
Belgium is divided into the different regions of Flanders, Brussels and Wallonia. This affects the regulaions on issuing work permits.
Can we support you with a work permit for Belgium?
Yes, absolutely.
This blog gives a general overview of work permits in Belgium for companies that want to relocate employees abroad or hire through an Employer of Record. For more complex or specific cases, we’re happy to think along and advise you.
We’ve been specializing in providing international employment services and payroll for over 20 years. We are therefore the ideal match for you to manage difficult and complicated processes. We can help you obtain a work permit or visa in Ireland, The Netherlands, Germany, France Spain, the UK, Portugal, Italy, and Poland in addition to Belgium. Through a broad network of partners, we offer our service in numerous other countries. This generally includes all other European countries.
In short: if your international hiring comes with complexity, we’re here to make it easy!
