Working in Ghent with a single permit

What is it about?

Non-EU citizens who want to work as employees generally need a work permit, with some exceptions depending on the profile.

Depending on the duration and type of job, the employer will request a work permit through a single permit.

More information on applying for and extending the single permit can be found on the Flanders website.

If you stay in Belgium for more than 3 months, you must also register and apply for a residence card. This is done in the municipality where you live.

What are the conditions?

• You live at a private address in Ghent.
• You have already applied for and received approval for the single permit.

You hold the correct entry documents:

• A visa D, which you must apply for before arriving in Belgium at the relevant Belgian diplomatic post
  OR
• A visa C
• A residence card from another EU member state
• No visa is required

How much does it cost?

Opening your file in Ghent is free if you entered Belgium with a visa D.

For the residence card, you pay

What do I need?

• Your valid passport
• Your valid visa or proof of valid entry (visa exemption or residence card from another EU member state)
• Approval from the Economic Migration Service
• Approval from the Immigration Office (attachment 46)

What are the steps?

Registering with a visa D for long stay (more than 3 months)

1. Register online within 8 working days. Follow all steps on the form to complete the application.
2. You will receive a confirmation email once we have received your application.
3. Once your application is processed and your file is complete, you will receive a digital attachment 49.
4. The police will check your address.
5. You will receive an invitation via email with a link to apply for your residence card. Using this link, make an appointment to apply for your residence card. At the appointment, you will receive a temporary residence document (second attachment 49).
6. You collect your residence card at the location where you applied for it.
   You do not need to make an appointment for this, except at the Wijkkantoor Rabot. 
   Don't forget your codes!

Renewing or applying for a single permit for an indefinite period

1. Your employer applies for the renewal through the single permit.
2. You will receive a notification of admissibility, and from that moment, you are entitled to a temporary proof of residence (attachment 49), which you can request via email from the migration office. You cannot work if you no longer have a valid residence card.
3. You will receive approval from the Economic Migration Service, and you can request a new attachment 49 via email from the migration office. From then on, you can continue working.
4. You will receive approval from the Immigration Office (attachment 46).
5. Make an appointment with the Migration Office to apply for your residence card.
6. You collect your residence card at the location where you applied for it.
   You do not need to make an appointment for this, except at the Wijkkantoor Rabot. 
   Don't forget your codes!

Renewing an indefinite period single permit

1. Check if you are eligible for a combined permit for an indefinite period.
2. Send an email to migration@stad.gent with the necessary documents:
   • Valid international passport (residence card)
   • Proof of means of subsistence
   • Proof of employment duration as an employee
   • Proof of health insurance (for you and your family members)
   • Decision from the Economic Migration Service
3. If your card expires, you will receive proof of your application (attachment 50).
4. Once a decision is made, you will receive an invitation to apply for your residence card.
5. You collect your residence card at the location where you applied for it.
   You do not need to make an appointment for this, except at the Wijkkantoor Rabot. 
   Don't forget your codes!

Exceptions

If you stay in Belgium for more than 3 months but do not have a visa D and have another legal residence status, you must apply for a status change.