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<https://stad.gent/en/lod/infopages?page=16><http://www.w3.org/ns/hydra/core#member><https://stad.gent/id/infopage/809110> .
<https://stad.gent/id/infopage/809110>rdf:type<http://schema.org/Article> ;
<http://schema.org/description> "Have you graduated or completed your research? Apply for an orientation year and extend your stay in Belgium up to 12 months." ;
<http://schema.org/identifier> 809110 ;
<http://schema.org/inLanguage> "en" ;
<http://schema.org/name> "Apply for an orientation year " ;
<http://schema.org/url><https://stad.gent/en/migration/working-non-belgian/apply-orientation-year> ;
<http://schema.org/dateModified> "2025-05-23T12:53:13+00:00"^^<xsd:dateTime> ;
<http://schema.org/datePublished> "2021-08-04T12:55:29+00:00"^^<xsd:dateTime> ;
<http://schema.org/sourceOrganization><https://stad.gent/id/agents/a55a6dbf-f689-e111-a140-0050569826fc> ;
<http://schema.org/articleBody> " <div class=\"paragraph paragraph--type--table-of-contents paragraph--view-mode--full\">\n \n <nav class=\"table-of-contents\" aria-labelledby=\"table-of-contents-header\">\n <div class=\"content-container\">\n <h4 id=\"table-of-contents-header\">On this page</h4>\n\n <ul class=\"three-column\">\n <li><a href=\"/en/lod/infopages#what-is-it-about\">What is it about?</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"/en/lod/infopages#what-are-the-conditions\">What are the conditions?</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"/en/lod/infopages#how-much-does-it-cost\">How much does it cost?</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"/en/lod/infopages#what-do-i-need\">What do I need?</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"/en/lod/infopages#what-steps-need-to-be-taken\">What steps need to be taken?</a></li>\n </ul>\n\n </div>\n </nav>\n\n </div>\n\n <div class=\"paragraph paragraph--type--text paragraph--view-mode--full\">\n \n\n\n <h2>What is it about?<a class=\"ck-anchor\" id=\"what-is-it-about\"></a></h2><p><span>An<strong> orientation year</strong> allows you to extend your stay in Belgium up to 12 months. This gives you the time to look for a job or start a self-employed activity in Belgium after your studies or research.</span></p><p><a href=\"https://dofi.ibz.be/en/themes/ressortissants-dun-pays-tiers/travail/orientation-year\"><span>Read more about it here</span></a></p>\n \n </div>\n\n <div class=\"paragraph paragraph--type--text paragraph--view-mode--full\">\n \n\n\n <h2>What are the conditions?<a class=\"ck-anchor\" id=\"what-are-the-conditions\"></a></h2><p><span lang=\"EN-US\">Apply for the orientation year at the latest <strong>15 days </strong>before your residence card (A-card) expires.</span></p><p><span lang=\"EN-US\"><strong>I am a non-EU/EEA student</strong></span></p><p><span lang=\"EN-US\">You are eligible for an orientation year if you</span></p><ul><li><span lang=\"EN-US\">have recently graduated and obtained a <strong>higher vocational, bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree</strong></span></li><li><span lang=\"EN-US\">obtained a degree in another EU Member State and followed a <strong>mobility programme </strong>in Belgium, e.g. Erasmus Mundus</span></li></ul><p><span lang=\"EN-US\">Students who obtained a degree in another Member State of the European Union and completed part of their studies in Belgium within the framework of a mobility programme must submit their application within <strong>3 months</strong> after having obtained their foreign degree. These students can submit the application at the Belgian embassy in the 1st member state of residence or at the municipality while having a legal stay.</span></p><p><span lang=\"EN-US\"><strong>I am a non-EU/EEA researcher</strong></span></p><p><span lang=\"EN-US\">You are eligible for an orientation year if you are a researcher </span></p><ul><li><span lang=\"EN-US\">with a </span><a href=\"https://www.belspo.be/belspo/visa/form/Gastovereenkomst_nl.pdf\"><span lang=\"EN-US\"><strong>hosting agreement</strong></span></a><span lang=\"EN-US\"> at a recognised research institute in Belgium and your research is completed</span></li><li><span lang=\"EN-US\">in <strong>another Member State of the European Union</strong> who completed the research and participated in a <strong>mobility programme</strong> as a researcher with Belgium as the 2nd Member State</span></li></ul><p><span lang=\"EN-US\">Researchers who completed their research in another Member State of the European Union and resided in Belgium during part of their research within the framework of a mobility programme must apply for the orientation year at the latest <strong>15 days </strong>before the expiry of their residence card as a researcher in the 1st Member State. These researchers can submit the application at the Belgian embassy in the 1st member state of residence or at the municipality while having a legal stay.</span></p>\n \n </div>\n\n <div class=\"paragraph paragraph--type--text paragraph--view-mode--full\">\n \n\n\n <h2>How much does it cost?<a class=\"ck-anchor\" id=\"how-much-does-it-cost\"></a></h2><p><span lang=\"EN-US\">Applying for an orientation year as a <strong>student</strong> is free of charge.</span></p><p><span lang=\"EN-US\">If you are a <strong>researcher, </strong> you will have to pay a contribution fee of \u20AC 148 to start the application.</span></p>\n \n </div>\n\n <div class=\"paragraph paragraph--type--text paragraph--view-mode--full\">\n \n\n\n <h2>What do I need?<a class=\"ck-anchor\" id=\"what-do-i-need\"></a></h2><p><span lang=\"EN-US\"><strong>I want to apply for an orientation year as a student</strong></span></p><ul><li><span lang=\"EN-US\">your valid passport</span></li><li><span lang=\"EN-US\">a copy of your current residence card</span></li><li><span lang=\"EN-US\">a degree or proof that you successfully completed a training programme at a recognised Belgian university college or university.</span></li><li><span lang=\"EN-US\">If you participated in a <strong>mobility programme, </strong>you will need a degree from a foreign educational institution and proof of your stay in Belgium (e.g. annex 33 or proof of registration for the mobility programme)</span></li><li><span lang=\"EN-US\">proof of health insurance, e.g. a certificate of affiliation with a Belgian health insurance fund</span></li><li><span lang=\"EN-US\">proof of sufficient financial means through</span><ul><li><span lang=\"EN-US\">an </span><a href=\"https://dofi.ibz.be/sites/default/files/2023-10/Bijlage%2032_1.pdf\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">annex 32</span></a><span lang=\"EN-US\"> (commitment that charge will be taken by a guarantor)</span></li><li><span lang=\"EN-US\">a blocked account at an institution for higher education</span></li><li><span lang=\"EN-US\">own resources, e.g. employment contract for the planned orientation year </span></li></ul></li></ul><p><span lang=\"EN-US\"><strong>I want to apply for an orientation year as a researcher</strong></span></p><ul><li><span lang=\"EN-US\">proof of payment of the contribution fee of \u20AC 148 to the account of the Immigration Office at the following number BE57 6792 0060 9235 - reference: LastnameFirstnameNationalityDD.MMYYYY (date of birth)</span></li><li><span lang=\"EN-US\">your valid passport</span></li><li><span lang=\"EN-US\">a copy of your current residence card</span></li><li><a href=\"https://dofi.ibz.be/sites/default/files/2023-02/Verklaring%20voltooiing%20onderzoeksactiviteit.pdf\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">proof provided by the accredited research institution that the research activities have been completed</span></a></li><li>If you participated in a <strong>mobility programme</strong>, you will need a proof provided by the accredited research institution that the research activities have been completed and proof of your stay in Belgium (e.g. Belgian residence document)</li><li><span lang=\"EN-US\">proof of health insurance, e.g. a certificate of affiliation with a Belgian health insurance fund</span></li><li><span lang=\"EN-US\">proof of sufficient financial means through</span><ul><li><span lang=\"EN-US\">a blocked account at an accredited research institution</span></li><li><span lang=\"EN-US\">own resources, e.g. employment contract for the planned orientation year </span></li></ul></li></ul><p><span lang=\"EN-US\"> The living wage amounts serve as the reference amount.</span></p>\n \n </div>\n\n <div class=\"paragraph paragraph--type--text paragraph--view-mode--full\">\n \n\n\n <h2>What steps need to be taken?<a class=\"ck-anchor\" id=\"what-steps-need-to-be-taken\"></a></h2><p><strong>Apply for your orientation year</strong></p><p><span lang=\"EN-US\">Submit your application </span><a href=\"https://formulieren.stad.gent/productie4.2/formulier/en-GB/DefaultEnvironment/scZoekjaar.aspx\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">online</span></a><span lang=\"EN-US\">. </span><span>You will receive a confirmation of your application in your mailbox.</span></p><p><strong>Which documents will you receive after having filed your application?</strong></p><p><span lang=\"EN-US\">You will receive an <strong>annex 15</strong> pending the issuance of your new residence card when your current A-card expires. With this document, you are allowed to work for an indefinite period of time. If you participated in a mobility programme, you will not receive an annex 15 while waiting for the decision.</span></p><p><span lang=\"EN-US\">You will receive the decision of the Immigration Department at the latest 3 months after having filed your application. In case of a positive decision, you will receive an A-card for 12 months. The period in which you had an annex 15 will be deducted from these 12 months. </span></p>\n \n </div>\n\n\n \n <h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2>\n \n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n<dl class=\"accordion\">\n <div property=\"mainEntity\" typeof=\"Question\">\n <dt class=\"faqfield-question\" property=\"name\">\n <h3>\n <button class=\"accordion--button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion--multiple--content--faqitem--4--1\">\n Can I work if I have an A-card on the basis of the orientation year?\n </button>\n </h3>\n </dt>\n <dd class=\"faqfield-answer\" property=\"acceptedAnswer\" typeof=\"Answer\">\n <div class=\"accordion--content\" id=\"accordion--multiple--content--faqitem--4--1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden=\"hidden\" property=\"text\">\n <p>Yes. The A-card allows you to work for an indefinite period of time.</p>\n </div>\n </dd>\n </div>\n <div property=\"mainEntity\" typeof=\"Question\">\n <dt class=\"faqfield-question\" property=\"name\">\n <h3>\n <button class=\"accordion--button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion--multiple--content--faqitem--4--2\">\n Can I apply for an extension of the orientation year?\n </button>\n </h3>\n </dt>\n <dd class=\"faqfield-answer\" property=\"acceptedAnswer\" typeof=\"Answer\">\n <div class=\"accordion--content\" id=\"accordion--multiple--content--faqitem--4--2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden=\"hidden\" property=\"text\">\n <p><span lang=\"EN-US\">No. An extension of the A-card on the basis of the orientation year is not possible.</span></p>\n </div>\n </dd>\n </div>\n <div property=\"mainEntity\" typeof=\"Question\">\n <dt class=\"faqfield-question\" property=\"name\">\n <h3>\n <button class=\"accordion--button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion--multiple--content--faqitem--4--3\">\n Can I already receive an annex 15 before my current A-card expires?\n </button>\n </h3>\n </dt>\n <dd class=\"faqfield-answer\" property=\"acceptedAnswer\" typeof=\"Answer\">\n <div class=\"accordion--content\" id=\"accordion--multiple--content--faqitem--4--3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden=\"hidden\" property=\"text\">\n <p>No. You can only receive an annex 15 after the A-card expires. </p>\n </div>\n </dd>\n </div>\n <div property=\"mainEntity\" typeof=\"Question\">\n <dt class=\"faqfield-question\" property=\"name\">\n <h3>\n <button class=\"accordion--button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion--multiple--content--faqitem--4--4\">\n Can I submit the orientation year application earlier than 15 days before the expiry date?\n </button>\n </h3>\n </dt>\n <dd class=\"faqfield-answer\" property=\"acceptedAnswer\" typeof=\"Answer\">\n <div class=\"accordion--content\" id=\"accordion--multiple--content--faqitem--4--4\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden=\"hidden\" property=\"text\">\n <p>Yes you can but this will result in your new residence card being valid for less than 12 months.</p>\n </div>\n </dd>\n </div>\n </dl>\n\n \n\n <div class=\"paragraph paragraph--type--call-to-action paragraph--view-mode--full cta-block image-none link\">\n \n <div class=\"cta-block__content\">\n <div class=\"feature-block secondary\">\n <h2>Apply for an orientation year</h2>\n\n \n \n <a href=\"https://formulieren.stad.gent/productie4.2/formulier/en-GB/DefaultEnvironment/scZoekjaar.aspx\" class=\"button button-secondary\">Submit your application online</a>\n \n </div>\n </div>\n </div>\n" ;
foaf:page<https://stad.gent/node/809110> .