Country / Territory
Related offices
Third-country nationals and their dependents applying for an initial long stay visa or residence permit on or after February 18, 2017 will be required to sign a statement affirming that they understand the fundamental values and norms of Belgian society and will act accordingly. Upon renewal of their visa or residence permit, authorities will require that the third-country national prove that they have integrated into Belgian society, which would require presentation of specific evidence.
Signed Statement Requirement
Third-country nationals and their dependents applying for an initial long stay visa or a residence permit on or after February 18 will be required to sign a statement affirming that they understand the fundamental values and norms of Belgian society and will act accordingly. Applications without this statement will be rejected.
Subsequent legislation is expected to provide further details on this requirement.
Renewal Process Requirements
At the time of renewal of their visa or permit, third-country nationals will be required to present proof of one of the following factors:
- Completion of an approved integration course;
- Signing up for a local language course or providing a certificate of a completed course;
- Working in Belgium;
- Studying in Belgium; or
- Participating in non-profit associations in Belgium.
In assessing integration efforts, authorities will also consider a third-country national’s family ties, the social and cultural ties with their country of origin and the duration of their residency in Belgium.
Immigration authorities can cancel a foreign national’s residency rights if they determine that a foreign national has not met the above integration efforts.
Exemptions
The law provides several exemptions such as refugees and their family members, stateless nationals and students.
What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals
Third-country nationals should be prepared to sign a statement on integration upon applying for a work visa or residence permit. Although third-country nationals working in Belgium will most likely not encounter issues proving their integration efforts, dependents of residence permit holders could face difficulties if they cannot prove that they meet the integration requirements.
Renewal applicants will be informed by their immigration professional about the requirement to prove their integration efforts.
It remains to be seen how the immigration authorities will apply the integration conditions in practice. Fragomen will report on related developments as they become available.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Country / Territory
Related offices
Explore more at Fragomen
Video
Partner Charles Johanes discusses key tips on managing workforce ratios and other localisation requirements across the APAC region.
Blog post
Associate Anastasija Vasiljeva discusses the digitalisation of the UK immigration system, how these changes are designed to enhance efficiency and security and how student sponsors and visa nationals must stay informed and compliant.
Video
Senior Immigration Consultant Elizabeth Kamm discusses changes to the Schengen Area that travellers should be aware of and how travellers can ensure they are prepared to meet immigration requirements.
Blog post
Senior Manager Deirdre Murray discusses the possibility of the Irish Government granting the spouses and partners of Intra-Company Transfer employment permits an automatic right to work in Ireland.
Media mentions
El director Miguel Jiménez analiza el programa de viajes de negocios a corto plazo de México con GBTA en la Conferencia LATAM 2024 en Ciudad de México.
Media mentions
Director Claire Cumiskey joins the Breakfast Business podcast to discuss Ireland’s Employment Permits Bill.
Blog post
Senior Associate Evan Tutton and Immigration Supervisor Sanjay Parmar discuss how organisations in the UK employing Student visa holders must ensure immigration compliance, and what steps Student visa holders should take.
Blog post
This blog covers the UK Government's evaluation of the Graduate visa route's effectiveness, its potential for abuse and the impact on the country's higher education system and economy, as well as the impending review by the MAC.
Media mentions
Partner Dan Brown co-authored a whitepaper on how the U.S is better situated to face workforce challenges because of immigration.
Media mentions
Partnering with Talent Beyond Boundaries, Fragomen continues to support displaced people in their host societies.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Kelly Hardman discusses Scotland’s hospitality sector following the UK government’s increase to the salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas.
Blog post
Manager Russell Hodges and Immigration Paralegal Natalia Jozwiak discuss the future of the UK's science sector following the country's 2024 re-entry into the Horizon programme and shift in migration policy.
Video
Partner Charles Johanes discusses key tips on managing workforce ratios and other localisation requirements across the APAC region.
Blog post
Associate Anastasija Vasiljeva discusses the digitalisation of the UK immigration system, how these changes are designed to enhance efficiency and security and how student sponsors and visa nationals must stay informed and compliant.
Video
Senior Immigration Consultant Elizabeth Kamm discusses changes to the Schengen Area that travellers should be aware of and how travellers can ensure they are prepared to meet immigration requirements.
Blog post
Senior Manager Deirdre Murray discusses the possibility of the Irish Government granting the spouses and partners of Intra-Company Transfer employment permits an automatic right to work in Ireland.
Media mentions
El director Miguel Jiménez analiza el programa de viajes de negocios a corto plazo de México con GBTA en la Conferencia LATAM 2024 en Ciudad de México.
Media mentions
Director Claire Cumiskey joins the Breakfast Business podcast to discuss Ireland’s Employment Permits Bill.
Blog post
Senior Associate Evan Tutton and Immigration Supervisor Sanjay Parmar discuss how organisations in the UK employing Student visa holders must ensure immigration compliance, and what steps Student visa holders should take.
Blog post
This blog covers the UK Government's evaluation of the Graduate visa route's effectiveness, its potential for abuse and the impact on the country's higher education system and economy, as well as the impending review by the MAC.
Media mentions
Partner Dan Brown co-authored a whitepaper on how the U.S is better situated to face workforce challenges because of immigration.
Media mentions
Partnering with Talent Beyond Boundaries, Fragomen continues to support displaced people in their host societies.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Kelly Hardman discusses Scotland’s hospitality sector following the UK government’s increase to the salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas.
Blog post
Manager Russell Hodges and Immigration Paralegal Natalia Jozwiak discuss the future of the UK's science sector following the country's 2024 re-entry into the Horizon programme and shift in migration policy.