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Work permits – Indefinite term

Have you already been working and living in Belgium for a long time? You may be eligible for a single permit with an indefinite duration. This gives you the right, as a foreign employee, to perform any job with any employer.

The Economic Migration Service is currently experiencing a large influx of applications, which can result in processing times of up to 2-3 months. Therefore, submit your application on time.
Indicative processing times for admission to work

Conditions

If you belong to at least one of the two categories below, you are eligible for a single permit with an indefinite term:

Category 1

  • You are legally residing in Belgium.
  • You have been working for at least 4 of the 5 years prior to your application.
  • You work on the basis of a work permit and/or a single permit.

Turkish nationals are subject to more lenient conditions based on the EU-Turkey Association Agreement. They can apply for a single permit of indefinite duration as early as after three years of employment. This period is further reduced by one year, to two years, if the spouse or registered partner or children together with the Turkish national reside lawfully in Belgium.

Category 2

  • You’ve been granted the status of long-term resident citizen(opens in new window) in a different member state of the European Union.
  • You legally reside in Belgium.
  • You were working in Belgium for at least 12 months in the 18 months prior to your application.
  • You work on the basis of a work permit and/or a single permit.

What qualifies as a work period

Were you incapacitated for work during your employment? Then we also consider this period to be a work period if you meet the following conditions:

  • Your incapacity was the result of:
    • illness
    • a work-related illness, or
    • a work-related accident.
  • You became incapacitated at a time when you were regularly employed by your Belgium-based employer.

What does not qualify as a work period

The periods below are not eligible for inclusion in an application for a single permit with an indefinite term.

Submit your application online

Submit your application for a single permit with an indefinite term yourself, online: working in Belgium.