Belgium · Work visa

Single Permit - Highly Skilled Worker

Processing: 60-120 days
Cost: From €557
Validity: Up to the contract duration

Belgium’s combined work-and-residence authorization for non-EU nationals employed for more than 90 days. The salary thresholds are set by region (Flanders, Brussels, Wallonia), so the figure depends on where the job is located.

Requirements

Employment contract with a Belgian employer for a highly skilled role
Gross salary above the applicable regional threshold: Flanders approx. EUR 48,912/year (approx. EUR 39,130 if under 30), Brussels approx. EUR 44,441/year, Wallonia approx. EUR 53,220/year (approx. EUR 42,576 for juniors under 30)
Higher education qualification appropriate to the role (region-dependent)
Employer files the single permit application with the relevant regional authority

Time and cost

Processing time: 60-120 days (regional decision plus visa)
Validity: Up to the contract duration, generally up to 3 years, renewable
Cost: From €557
Required
€377 single permit contribution fee
About €180 D-visa handling fee
Path to residency: EU long-term residence after 5 years of legal residence; the permit renews while employed

Documents

Valid passport
Valid for the duration of the intended stay
Employment contract
Stating salary at or above the regional threshold
Diploma / qualification
Higher education certificate, legalised where required
Medical certificate
Confirming fitness, issued by an approved doctor
Criminal record certificate
From country of residence, legalised
Passport photos
Recent biometric photographs

Tips

Flanders, Brussels and Wallonia set different thresholds and occupation lists
The employer, not the worker, submits the single permit application
The single permit bundles the work and residence authorization into one document