Eligibility quiz
Do you have a spouse or legally registered partner living in Belgium?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Belgium
You can live in Belgium for the period shown on your residence card and make it your home.
Your card is normally valid for one year at first and can be renewed if you still meet the conditions.
Study in Belgium
As a lawful resident, you can study if you meet the usual admission and education rules.
Work in Belgium
Your residence card shows whether you are allowed to work, and the employment rules also apply.
Travel and return
With a valid passport and Belgian residence card, you can normally leave and return to Belgium within the permitted return period.
Your card normally also allows short visits to other Schengen countries under their short-stay rules.
Use public healthcare
You may be able to get medical costs reimbursed, depending on your insurance, work and personal circumstances.
Get social support
Depending on your circumstances, social security may include sickness or disability payments, unemployment payments, pensions and family allowances.
You can also ask your local social assistance office, the CPAS or OCMW, to assess what help is appropriate.
How to apply
From outside BelgiumFrom outside Belgium
Find your consulate
Find the Belgian embassy or consulate responsible for the country where you live. Find out whether you must hand in your application at an official visa centre instead.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Belgian embassy or consulate handles family reunification visa applications for someone living in your city?”
Fill in the form
Create an account on VisaOnWeb and fill in the online national D visa form, choosing family reunification as the purpose.
Fill in the formSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Belgium family reunification D visa application on VisaOnWeb?”
Submit the online form
Submit and validate your completed form on VisaOnWeb. You will receive a PDF by email.
Submit the formSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit the Belgium family reunification D visa application on VisaOnWeb?”
Print and sign
Print the PDF of your application form, then date and sign it.
Find signing instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I print and sign the Belgium family reunification D visa application form?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the consulate or visa centre.
See required documentsBook an appointment
Book an appointment using the instructions from your consulate or its official visa centre.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book a Belgium family reunification D visa appointment in your city?”
Pay the fees
Pay the handling fee and the required application fee before your appointment, unless you are exempt. Bring proof of payment to your appointment.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the Belgium family reunification D visa application and handling fees in your city?”
Go to your appointment
Go in person to the consulate or visa centre with your appointment confirmation, signed form and required documents. If your file is incomplete, you can take it back, complete it and book another appointment.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “What should I bring to my Belgium family reunification D visa appointment in your city?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for a decision on your visa application. Answer any questions and provide any extra documents requested.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I track a Belgium family reunification D visa application in your city?”
Travel to Belgium
Once your D visa is issued, travel to Belgium to join your spouse or partner.
Find arrival informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “What should I do after receiving a Belgium family reunification D visa?”
Once in BelgiumOnce in Belgium
Find your town hall
Find the town hall for the place where you are staying in Belgium.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which town hall handles Belgium family reunification registration in your city?”
Report your arrival
Report to the town hall within eight days of arriving in Belgium. Cooperate with the check that you live at your address.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I report my arrival for Belgium family reunification at the town hall in your city?”
Receive your residence card
After the address check is successful, receive your residence card from the town hall. It records your permission to live in Belgium.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I receive my residence card after arriving in Belgium for family reunification in your city?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Provide your birth certificate and your spouse or partner’s birth certificate to show your ages. Other valid proof of your ages can be used instead.
Relationship evidence
Provide evidence that you intend to live with your spouse or partner in Belgium. If the office asks, also provide evidence that your relationship is genuine and stable.
Partner’s residence card
Provide a copy of your spouse or partner’s Belgian residence card. It must show that they are allowed to live in Belgium.
Marriage certificate *
Provide your marriage certificate. Your consulate may ask for a recent certificate. If someone stood in for you or your spouse at the marriage, add the power of attorney used for the marriage; if either of you was married before, add proof of divorce or the former spouse’s death.
* Only if you are married.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationPartnership certificate *
Provide the certificate of your registered partnership. If either of you had an earlier marriage or partnership, add proof that it ended, such as a divorce record or death certificate.
* Only if you are in a registered partnership.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Long trips abroad
If you plan to leave Belgium for more than one year, tell your municipality before leaving and show that your main ties remain in Belgium.
Report to the municipality within 15 days of returning, or your card may lose validity and you may need permission to return.
Residence renewal and integration
Apply to renew your card at your municipality before it expires, and keep a valid passport and registered address.
At the first renewal or later, you may be asked for proof of efforts to integrate.
Residence can end
Your residence may end if family or residence conditions no longer hold, after a long absence, or for fraud, a sham relationship or serious public-order or security grounds.
Insufficient integration efforts or becoming an unreasonable burden on public assistance can also put it at risk.
You may be ordered to leave Belgium.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
EU Freedom of Movement Support Initiative
English Facebook group for people living in Belgium interested in Belgian visas
Request to joinMarriage/Cohabitation Visa to Belgium Citizenship
English Facebook group for people interested in Belgian visas and citizenship
Request to joinAmecan -USA Canada Australia Europe Japan-Visitor & Student Visa Specialist
English Facebook group for people living in Belgium interested in Belgian visas
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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