Applying for a single permit visa

After approval of the single permit (annex 46) you have to contact the Belgian embassy in your home country and request a single permit visa.

How to request a single Permit visa?

Once your single Permit application was approved and finished, you can start the application for a Visa D at the local Belgian embassy.

You can apply for a visa D (long stay visa) after making an appointment with the Belgian diplomatic mission or consular post for your place of residence or stay abroad according to the procedure described on the website of the embassy or consulate.

This visa D will only be delivered after presentation of the following documents:

  • Valid passport
  • Application form to request the single permit visa (max period 365 days – multiple entries; the form can be found on the website of the local Belgian embassy)
  • The decision granting a single permit: annex 46 and the proof to work in Belgium (= admission to employment)
  • Hold your original documents by hand (medical certificate, proof of good conduct)

When collecting the visa:

  • you must pay the consular fees
  • Start the application in person as the biometric data will be taken
  • Present or keep all documents with you

Taking biometric data in the context of an application for a visa D.

From 01/12/2018, the Belgian diplomatic and consular posts will take the fingerprints (10 fingers), unless this is physically impossible, and take a digital photo of the third country nationals, from the age of 6 years, who have a visa for a long stay in Belgium. (If it is possible to collect a number of fingerprints lower than 10, the station will collect all available fingerprints.)

Why take the biometric data? By taking your fingerprints you can be identified with certainty as the sole holder of the visa. This collection protects you against forgery or misuse of identity - for example in the event of theft or loss of your passport - and makes it easier to cross the external borders of the Schengen area.

A procedure that respects your rights: It only takes a few minutes to collect the fingerprints. This procedure is in compliance with the safeguards prescribed by the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of the Council of Europe, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, and the United Nations Convention on the rights of the child.

Retention of biometric data: The biometric data is kept for 10 years. You should therefore no longer give them when you apply for a new visa D within 10 years of their taking, unless the post has doubts about your identity or if you are no longer exempted from this new application. A photo is taken with every application.

Protection of biometric data : Your biometric data will be processed in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data.

Is family joining you?

If your family will join you to Belgium; their application can be started together with your single permit visa request to ensure the ex officio delivery of the family reunion visa.

More information on the family reunion procedure can be found here.

Inform us of the date of arrival in Belgium

Please keep us updated concerning your approximate date of arrival. Please provide a copy of the single permit visa (and if applicable, the family reunion visa). The national reference B34 (Permis unique / Combined permit) is affixed to the visa.

Information on traveling to Belgium can be found on these websites: Preparing your journey and visit Ghent.

A few days before the start of employment; your personal login and account information will be sent to your private e-mail address.

Prepare yourself for moving to Belgium. Some inspiration can be found on our website.