Belgium: Flanders Permit Processing Times Changed

Effective August 2023, permit processing times have changed in Flanders, with new permit application processing times often increasing, while renewal processing times have decreased. New applications for several permit types have increased to three months (from an earlier average of two months). This includes Highly Skilled, Executive, EU Blue Card and Researcher permits, as well as Shortage Occupation permits and single permits which are subject to labor market testing. Renewal applications for most permit types have decreased to one month (from a previous standard of two months), including for Highly Skilled, Executive, EU Blue Card and Researcher permits, as well as single permits subject to labor market testing. These processing times are general guidelines and can still be subject to change in individual cases. Renewal of Shortage Occupation permits, however, continue to take approximately two months to process. Fees have not changed. Prospective applicants should be aware that Single Permit applications in Belgium are a two-step process. After Flanders approves a work authorisation, the Belgium immigration authority must still review the application to determine whether residency will be approved (which can take 10-12 weeks).