What is the single work permit?
The single work permit combines two authorizations: the right to reside and the right to work in Belgium for a period of more than 90 days. These two authorizations are inseparable: the validity of one depends on the validity of the other. 📅
⚠️ Please note: The single work permit is not a form of regularization for people illegally present in Belgium.
When should I apply for a single permit?
The single permit applies in two main cases:
- If the worker is already in Belgium with a residence permit for more than 3 months (e.g. A card as a student, …)
- If the worker is abroad, it is up to the employer to submit the application to the competent Region, and if the authorizations are granted, the worker will have to apply for a D visa at the competent consular post. 🌍
How do I obtain a single permit?
Here are the steps to apply for a single permit:
1. Application by the employer :
The employer submits the application to the Region where the worker will be employed. 🏢 The file must include documents for both the work permit and the residence permit.
2. Checking the application :
Admissibility decision: The Region checks that the application is complete. If any documents are missing, you will have 15 days to provide them. 🕒
Substantive decision: The Region then checks whether the substantive conditions have been met (shortage or specific conditions for managers, highly qualified people, artists, sportspeople, etc.).
3. Transmission to the Office des Étrangers :
If the application is complete, the Region sends the file to the Office des Étrangers, which verifies the residence conditions. The Office has 4 months to make a decision.
4. Final decision :
- If the decision is positive for work and residence: instructions for issuing an Annex 46, either to the commune (if the worker is legally resident in Belgium), or to the competent consular post in the worker’s country of origin (if the worker is abroad).
- Decision deadline: 4 months maximum from the Region’s decision on admissibility.
Appeal against refusal :
- If the decision is negative ➡️ appeal to the Regional Minister of Employment within 30 days or stay, an appeal may be lodged. ⚖️
- If the decision is negative on the residence aspect ➡️ appeal to the Conseil du Contentieux des Etrangers within 30 days
Who is concerned by the single permit?
The single permit applies to foreign workers wishing to work in Belgium for more than 90 days.
Certain categories of foreign nationals are exempt from the single permit requirement, and therefore do not need to submit an application.
Specific categories subject to single permit
- Jobs in short supply: Specific rules by region
Shortage trades vary from region to region. If a position is recognized as a shortage trade, this makes it easier to obtain a single permit, as no investigation is required to prove the absence of local candidates.
1. Flanders
- Medium-skilled profiles: For occupations in short supply of medium-skilled workers (29 occupations). Employers must provide a detailed description without having to prove the absence of local candidates.
- VDAB list of critical professions: Includes 241 professions. Conditions include
- a level of qualification a minimum level of qualification, more specifically a level 2, 3 or 4 qualification; (respectively: primary school level – secondary school level – adult secondary school level).
- publication of the job offer on the VDAB and EURES platforms for at least 9 weeks, with support from the VDAB and justification of the impossibility of finding a candidate.
- Minimum 80% occupancy
- Other vacancies : No labor shortage is recognized, and occupancy permits for these functions will be refused.
2. Brussels
For shortage positions published on Actiris, an additional job market analysis will no longer be necessary.
While waiting for this list and/or for other “out of category” functions, a 5-week search on the job market (publication of an advert on the ACTIRIS website with ACTIRIS support) must be demonstrated.
3. Wallonia
👉🏻 Soit the job is on the shortage list: no labor market review
👉🏻 Soit FOREM attests to the impossibility of meeting an offer: Access to the job market published for at least 5 weeks.
The announcement is also published automatically via EURES – article 2, §2, 2° a); article 2 §3
👉🏻 Soit unsuccessful search for a candidate via FOREM’s active management system – article 2, §2, 2° b)
👉🏻 Soit unsuccessful search for a candidate via preselection by FOREM – article 2, §2, 2° c)
👉🏻 soit assessment by the delegated official on the basis of information provided by the applicant – article 2, §4
The Minister of Employment retains the power to waive this provision, notably in the event of appeals against refusal.
- Highly qualified profiles?
Highly qualified worker status varies from region to region, but common criteria apply:
- Diplomas and qualifications
Proof that the applicant has a degree equivalent to at least three years of higher education, and that the degree is issued by a recognized institution in the country of origin (not a private institution!!!).
Additional requirements:
For Brussels
in connection with the position to be filled!!!
In Wallonia: OR 1° higher education diploma + 2° manager in the field of information and communication technologies or a specialist in the field of information and communication technologies + 3° min.3 years of relevant professional experience in the 7 years preceding the work permit application.
In Flanders
◦ at least bachelor’s or master’s level (tertiary education level), of a training course:
◦ lasting at least 3 yearsOR leading to a level 5 teaching diploma. (Level of qualification in Flanders: https://vlaamsekwalificatiestructuur.be/wat-is-vks/kwalificatieniveaus/
◦ delivered by a higher education institution recognized by the state in which it is located. Diplomas or certificates from private educational establishments are not valid for this purpose.
- Minimum wage :
- In Flanders: The minimum gross annual salary to be considered highly qualified is €50,310 (2024).
This amount is reduced to 80% (i.e. 40248 euros) when the worker
- has an employment contract with an employer established in Belgium (and is therefore NOT seconded);
- and is also under 30 or works as a nurse
- In Brussels: The minimum wage required is also €3703.44 gross/month (1/1/2025).
- In Wallonia: The minimum wage for highly skilled workers is €50,310. This amount is reduced to €40,248 (2024) for workers under 30.
📌 Common rule: This minimum wage must be proven by the employment contract to obtain the single permit.
- Management positions :
Employees in management positions must have a gross annual salary of €83,936 (from January 2024).
In Brussels ➡️ applying for a single permit exemption
- The European Blue Card
To be employed by a Belgian employer under the EU Blue Card scheme, three conditions must be met:
- The employer must have entered into an employment contract for an indefinite period, or for a period equal to or greater than one year;
- Gross annual salary equal to or greater than 4748 euros/gross per month (Brussels) or 65,053 EUR (Flanders and Wallonia in 2024)
- Hold a diploma issued by an educational institute recognized as a higher education institution by the state in which the institution is established OR (for Brussels and Wallonia)
- Relevant experience at a level comparable to a degree for the position to be filled
- For ≥ 3 of the 7 years preceding the request
- Job category: Manager in the information and communications technology sector OR information and communications technology specialist
New single permit for 2024
To find out what changes have been made, click here.
Or download our ebook, click here.
Need help with your work permit?
Our firm is here to help you every step of the way to obtain a single work permit. You can make an appointment to receive tailor-made advice.
👉 Book an appointment today : Click here