For several weeks now, hundreds of visa applications for Belgium have been blocked after obtaining the single permit. In view of the explosion in the number of applications for the single permit, the Office des Etrangers has decided that there are “strong suspicions that the single permit mechanism, which is supposed to relieve a job market under pressure in certain sectors, has been used for migration purposes”.
Which countries are concerned?
This suspicion and blockage concerns 2 countries in particular, namely Turkey and Morocco. However, checks seem to be underway for other countries too, and seem to be becoming more systematic…
It does not concern all single permit applications for these two countries, but more particularly those from very small entities, with no website and no visibility on Google Maps or social networks.
So, for these two countries (Morocco and Turkey), only new single permit applications from large, recognized companies are not blocked.
If you have obtained your single permit (appendix 46), reside in Morocco or Turkey and your future employer is a (very) small entity and/or has no visibility, it is therefore likely that your visa application to join Belgium will be blocked by the consulate in your country of residence.
What to do if your visa is blocked?
In conclusion, you’ll need to be patient and send the “Office des Etrangers” all the information you can to reassure them of the sincerity of your immigration and commitment project.
If you would like more information, please find here the article published on the Le Soir.be website which reports on this suspected fraud involving the single permit and this blockage.
Click here to learn more about the Single Permit