Eligibility quiz
Is your spouse or partner a Belgian citizen?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Belgium
You can live in Belgium with your spouse or partner who is a Belgian citizen, normally at the same address.
As a lawful resident, you can also use ordinary public services.
Study in Belgium
You can study in Belgium under the usual rules for your course.
Work in Belgium
Your residence card gives you access to the Belgian job market.
You can also work for yourself under the usual rules for that activity.
Return to Belgium
With a valid residence card, you can normally return to Belgium without a new visa if you have not been away for more than one year.
If your card is lost or expired, or you exceed the absence limit, you may need permission to return.
Rent or buy housing
As a lawful resident, you can rent or buy housing in Belgium.
Use public healthcare
You can get healthcare costs reimbursed if you qualify, for example through registration, insurance or work.
Your circumstances, citizenship and agreements between countries can also affect eligibility.
Receive social support
You may qualify for social security payments, including family allowances, a pension or payments if you cannot work.
Assistance based on income may also be available if you qualify.
Eligibility depends on your circumstances, and relying too heavily on public assistance can put your residence at risk.
How to apply
From outside BelgiumFrom outside Belgium
Find your consulate
Find the Belgian consulate responsible for the place where you live. Its instructions will tell you whether to apply there or at an authorised visa centre.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Belgian consulate handles family reunification visa applications for people living in your city?”
Pay the contribution
Unless you are exempt, pay the Immigration Office contribution by bank transfer before you submit your application. Keep proof of full payment.
Find payment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the Belgian Immigration Office contribution for a family reunification visa?”
Fill in the form
Create a VisaOnWeb account and fill in the long-stay visa D form online. Choose family reunification as the reason for your application.
Fill in the formRegister your application
Validate your application on VisaOnWeb, then print, date and sign the completed form sent to you by email.
Register your applicationGather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the consulate or its authorised visa centre.
See required documentsBook an appointment
Book an appointment using the system named in your consulate's instructions.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book a Belgium family reunification visa D appointment at the consulate serving your city?”
Go to your appointment
Go in person to the consulate or authorised visa centre with your appointment confirmation, signed form, travel document and required documents, including proof of the contribution payment unless exempt. Pay any handling fee charged by the post or centre and bring proof of payment if required.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Belgium family reunification visa D application at the consulate serving your city?”
Wait for the decision
Follow your application on Infovisa using your VisaOnWeb or visa centre application number. Respond if you are asked for more documents.
Track your applicationTravel to Belgium
Once your visa is issued, travel to Belgium to join or accompany your spouse or partner.
Plan your arrivalSearches DuckDuckGo for “What do I do after receiving a Belgium family reunification visa D?”
Once in BelgiumOnce in Belgium
Register your residence
After arriving, register with the town hall where you live. Follow its instructions to complete the residence-card procedure so you can receive your Belgian residence card.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I register after arriving on a Belgium family reunification visa in your city?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Marriage or partnership certificate
Get your marriage certificate, registered-partnership certificate or Belgian legal-cohabitation declaration. If you are relying on a partnership treated as equal to marriage, include official proof of its legal status. If either of you had an earlier marriage or partnership, include a divorce or dissolution record or death certificate, unless its end is already officially recorded.
Partner's citizenship record
Provide a copy of your Belgian spouse or partner's Belgian identity card or another official record showing that they are Belgian.
Birth certificates *
Get your birth certificate or another official record showing your age. If you are a registered partner, also provide your Belgian partner's birth certificate or another official record showing their age.
* Only if you are a registered partner or your consulate asks for yours.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationProof of relationship *
Provide proof that you lived together continuously for at least one year, or proof that you have a child together. Alternatively, provide evidence that you have known each other for at least two years, kept in regular contact and met at least three times for a total of at least 45 days. If you rely on the lower age limit for partners, provide proof that you lived together for at least one year before applying.
* Only if you are a registered partner and need to show a lasting relationship or qualify for the lower age limit.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Residence and integration
Live with your spouse or partner who is a Belgian citizen and renew your residence card at your municipality before it expires.
Adults must make integration efforts, such as work, study or learning a language; some adults are exempt.
Efforts may be monitored for four years, starting one year after unlimited residence is granted.
Residence can be lost
Your stay can end if family life or other conditions end, you do not genuinely live in Belgium, you rely too heavily on public assistance, or you fail to integrate.
Fraud, other illegal means or a threat to public order or security can also end it.
Fraud can lead to removal and an entry ban of up to five years, or longer for a serious threat.
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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