Eligibility quiz
Are you the mother or father of a child who is a Belgian citizen and will be under 18 when you apply?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Belgium
You can live in Belgium with your Belgian citizen child, usually with a temporary residence card at first.
You can rent a home, register with your municipality and use services on the same basis as other foreign nationals living in Belgium legally.
Study in Belgium
You can study or train while living legally in Belgium.
You must meet the school’s usual admission and enrolment rules.
Work in Belgium
Depending on what your residence card says, you may be able to work freely or need additional permission.
Visit Schengen countries
With a passport and a valid Belgian residence card, you can generally make short visits to other Schengen countries under their travel rules.
A valid residence card generally lets you return to Belgium.
Use public healthcare
You can join Belgian health insurance arrangements.
Help with medical costs depends on your insurance and personal circumstances.
Access social support
You can access social security arrangements, including family allowances, pensions and payments when you cannot work.
Eligibility depends on factors such as your work and contributions, circumstances, citizenship and applicable international rules.
You can ask your local social assistance office for help if eligible, but relying on public assistance can put your residence at risk.
How to apply
From outside BelgiumFrom outside Belgium
Find your consulate
Find the Belgian embassy or consulate responsible for the place where you live. It will tell you if an authorised visa centre handles applications for it.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Belgian consulate handles family reunification visa applications for residents of your city?”
Fill in the form
Create an account on VisaOnWeb and fill in the national long-stay visa form for family reunification with your Belgian child. You, your child's other parent or someone helping you can create the account.
Fill in the formSubmit the online form
Validate and send your form on VisaOnWeb. Save the PDF sent to you by email and print it for your appointment.
Submit the formPay the contribution
Unless you are exempt, pay the administrative contribution by bank transfer before your appointment. Keep proof of payment to bring with you.
Find payment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the administrative contribution for Belgium family reunification?”
Book an appointment
Book an appointment to hand in your application through your consulate or the authorised visa centre it uses.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book a Belgium family reunification visa appointment with the consulate responsible for your city?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the consulate or its authorised visa centre.
See required documentsGo to your appointment
Bring your printed form and required documents to the consulate or authorised visa centre, sign as instructed and give your fingerprints and photograph if asked. Pay any separate visa service charge there as instructed.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “What should I do at my Belgium family reunification visa appointment with the consulate responsible for your city?”
Wait for the decision
Follow your application online using your application number and send any extra documents the office asks for. The Immigration Office decides your application.
Follow your applicationGet your passport
If your visa is approved, follow the consulate's or visa centre's instructions to collect your passport or have it returned to you.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect my passport after a Belgium family reunification visa decision from the consulate responsible for your city?”
Travel to Belgium
Use your visa to travel to Belgium to join or accompany your child.
Find travel informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I travel to Belgium with a family reunification Visa D?”
Once in BelgiumOnce in Belgium
Find your town hall
Find the town hall for the place where you will live in Belgium.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Where is the town hall for family reunification registration in your city Belgium?”
Register your residence
Report to your town hall and complete its registration and residence formalities. You can then live in Belgium with your child.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I register at the town hall in your city Belgium after arriving on a family reunification visa?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Child's birth certificate
Bring your Belgian child's birth certificate or another official record showing that you are their parent. It should also show that your child is under 18; otherwise, bring another valid record showing their age. If no valid record proves you are their parent, a DNA test may be considered.
Child's citizenship records
Bring your Belgian child's identity card, Belgian passport or another valid document proving their Belgian citizenship. Bring the original and a copy unless the office says otherwise.
Proof of parental authority
Bring a court decision, an official record or other valid evidence showing that you have parental authority, including custody rights, over your Belgian child. Bring the original and a copy unless the office says otherwise.
Proof of child's care
Bring evidence that you look after your Belgian child day to day and help with their education, care and material needs. This can include records of where you live, care, schooling, medical care or financial support.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Absences from Belgium
With a temporary residence card, you must normally return within one year.
Before a longer absence, tell your municipality and show that Belgium remains the centre of your life.
Report to the municipality within 15 days after you return.
Documents and registration
Keep your passport or recognised travel document and residence card valid, and renew your card through your municipality before it expires.
Stay registered at your actual address and report changes to your municipality.
Residence conditions
Keep parental authority and continue caring for your child day to day, including living together where required.
Meet your residence conditions, including any requirements about resources, housing, insurance, integration and not depending on public assistance.
Residence can be lost
Your residence may end if you no longer meet its conditions, including care of your child, or if your relationship was fraudulent.
It may also end because of a serious threat to public order or security, or a long absence without preserving your right to return.
You have a right to be heard before a decision to end your stay.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
EU Freedom of Movement Support Initiative
English Facebook group for people living in Belgium interested in Belgian visas
Request to joinr/AnchorLessEurope
English Reddit group for people living in Europe interested in visas
Join on RedditLife in Belgium
English Facebook group for people living in Belgium interested in Belgian local life
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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