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Employing a foreigner in Flanders: categories

Submit your application on time

The Economic Migration Department is presently experiencing a major influx of applications. As a result, processing currently takes 2 -3 months. Therefore, submit your application on time.

For foreigners coming to work in Flanders, the employer must first obtain a work permit. The type of work the foreigner will perform determines whether they will be admitted to the labour market.

Categories of foreign workers who are eligible

Unless you are exempt, a work permit can only be granted if the foreigner’s work is part of the following categories. Separate conditions and procedures apply to each category.

Highly skilled
Highly skilledHighly skilled
At least a bachelor’s or master’s degree (min. 3 years) or leads to educational qualification level 5
Conditions in relation to minimum income
Managerial
ManagerialManagerial
Manages company and workers
Conditions in relation to minimum income
Medium-skilled position
Medium-skilled positionMedium-skilled position
There is a structural labour shortage for this position
Position is on the migration list of medium-skilled positions
Specialised technician
Specialised technicianSpecialised technician
For assembly and start-up of supplied installation
For maintenance and repair
Seasonal worker
Seasonal workerSeasonal worker
Seasonal activities in the horticultural or hospitality sectors
Employer demonstrates that they cannot find anyone else on the local labour market
Vocational training as part of a sales contract
Vocational training as part of a sales contractVocational training as part of a sales contract
Employment contract with an employer abroad
Specific vocational training in a Flemish company
Training in a multinational group
Training in a multinational groupTraining in a multinational group
Training agreement between registered offices of a single group
No work permit required for 90 days maximum
Trainee categories
Trainee categories Trainee categories
Foreign students can complete their internship in Flanders according to certain conditions
Five categories are possible
Employment under an international agreement
Employment under an international agreementEmployment under an international agreement
Work under an international exchange programme such as Erasmus and Erasmus+
No work permit required for 90 days maximum
Researcher with hosting agreement
Researcher with hosting agreementResearcher with hosting agreement
Short or long-term mobility at recognised research institution in the Flemish Region
Permit for 3 years maximum
Postdoctoral researcher
Postdoctoral researcherPostdoctoral researcher
Minimum qualification level 8 (doctorate)
Fundamental scientific research at a host university or recognised research institution
Intra-corporate transferee
Intra-corporate transfereeIntra-corporate transferee
Internal transfer within a single company
Submit application as an ICT manager or ICT trainee-employee
Professional athlete
Professional athleteProfessional athlete
Top-level athletes, trainers, referees
Employment contract for paid sports professionals
Performing artist
Performing artistPerforming artist
Audiovisual or visual arts, music, literature, theatre, etc.
Must have earned at least € 41 197 in 2024
Journalist
JournalistJournalist
Exclusively linked to foreign newspaper, press agency or radio or television station
If it is for a maximum of 90 days, the employer does not require a work permit
European Blue Card
European Blue CardEuropean Blue Card
Highly-skilled foreigners can work for at least 6 months according to certain conditions
Valid for any employer after one year of effective employment
Frontier worker
Frontier workerFrontier worker
Work permit always required
Valid for 12 months maximum
Minister of a recognised religious denomination
Minister of a recognised religious denominationMinister of a recognised religious denomination
Serves a local religious community in Flanders
Roman Catholic, Protestant, Anglican, Israelite, Orthodox, Islamic
Au pair
Au pairAu pair
Living costs and accommodation in exchange for performing light household tasks
Cultural education and language enrichment take precedence
Volunteer
VolunteerVolunteer
Approved volunteer programme (European Solidarity Corps)
Permit for 1 year maximum
Other categories
Other categoriesOther categories
Employer cannot find anyone else on the local labour market
The function is on the shortage occupation list of the VDAB (Flemish Employment Service)

Frequently asked questions

Do foreign students need work authorization and how many hours are they allowed to work?

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Contact

E-mail

arbeidskaart@vlaanderen.be

Telephone

Postaddress

Team arbeidskaarten

Koning Albert II laan 15 bus 380, 1210 Brussel, België

Website

E-mail

infodesk@ibz.fgov.be

Telephone

Address

Federale Overheidsdienst Binnenlandse Zaken
Dienst Vreemdelingenzaken

44 Kubus

Pachecolaan 44, 1000 Brussel, België