Non-EU Citizen: European Blue Card
NON-EU CITIZEN│HIGHLY EDUCATED EMPLOYEES EUROPEAN BLUE CARD
Are you a highly educated employee from a country outside the EU? Then you can live and work in Flanders for at least 24 months with a European Blue Card. Provided that you meet certain salary and education requirements.
It is a residence and work permit for highly educated employees.
You will receive a electronic H-card as proof.
Valid for at least 24 months.
You are allowed to work and live in Belgium as long as you meet the conditions.
PROCEDURE EUROPEAN BLUE CARD
Your employer must apply for the permit via the unique portal – Working in Belgium (workinginbelgium.be).
As an employee, you cannot do this yourself. However, it is important as an employee to know which documents are required. We list them below:
Employee identification documents
Employee is not in Belgium at the time of application:
Personal data from international passport
Employee is in Belgium at the time of application:
Personal data from international passport
Residence permit
Health and insurance documents
Proof of health insurance or a commitment statement.
Document validity
The above documents must be no older than 6 months.
An employment contract.
Diplomas or proof of higher education.
TREATMENT PERIOD
As soon as your employer has collected these documents, the application can be submitted to the one-stop shop – Working in Belgium. The processing time for an application for a European Blue Card is a maximum of 90 days. This period starts from the day the application is received by the competent region.
Have you already stayed at least 12 months (with a European Blue Card) in another EU member state and are you submitting an application for Belgium? Then the processing time is 30 days. The decision on the application must be communicated within these processing times.
You can work for any employer!
With this European Blue Card, you can work for any employer. So, you do not need to apply for a new combined permit if you change employers during this time.
The new employer must inform the Flemish region about the change of employer.
SUMMARY SINGLE PERMIT & EUROPEAN BLUE CARD Discover the differences
What is a combined permit?
If you want to work and live in Belgium, you usually need a combined permit. This is a single document that allows you to work and stay here. Your employer applies for this permit on your behalf. If you receive the permit, you will get an A-card.
What is the European Blue Card?
The European Blue Card is a special permit for highly skilled workers with a higher salary. You will then receive an H-card.
This card has more benefits:
✓ You can change employers faster.
✓ You can work more easily in other EU countries.
✓ Sometimes the rules for family reunification are more flexible.
Note: the conditions are stricter. For example, you must have a higher education degree and earn enough.
Who submits the application?
Your employer submits the application for both cards. You must provide the correct documents.
SINGLE PERMIT
✓ Target group: Non-European workers who want to work and reside in Belgium for longer than 90 days
✓ Admission for: Work and residence
✓ Conditions: There is a work contract and the worker resides abroad at the time of application.
✓ Card type: A-card (= residence card linked to work)
✓ Validity period: Usually 1 year (= to be renewed by the employer after one year)
✓ Application by: The employer applies for this with the Flemish government before arrival in Belgium.
✓ Processing time: Up to 4 months
✓ Visa: You need a visa D. Apply at the Belgian embassy.
✓ Changing employer: With a Single Permit you can only work for one employer. If you want to work for another employer, this can only be done through a new application.
EUROPEAN BLUE CARD
✓ Target group: Specifically for non-European highly skilled workers (at least a higher education diploma)
✓ Admission for: Work and residence
✓ Conditions: There is an employment contract and the employee resides abroad when applying.
✓ Card type: H-card
✓ Validity period: At least 12 months
✓ Application by: The employer applies for this with the Flemish government before arrival in Belgium. This card has stricter requirements regarding education and salary.
✓ Processing time: 90 days (or 30 days if previously residing in another EU member state with a Blue Card)
✓ Visa: You need a D visa. Apply at the Belgian embassy.
✓ Changing employer: With this card you can work for any employer. You do not need a new application. (Only notify the government)