Belgium's first electronic ID-card for foreigners

The communal authorities of Ukkel have issued Belgium's first Belgian electronic ID-card for foreigners.

The Belgian government decided last year to issue electronic ID-cards to the 900.000 foreign nationals who are living in Belgium as of 2007. The electronic ID-cards will be issued to both EU-nationals and non-EU-nationals.

Non EU-nationals will be granted an electronic ID-card which will replace their current “white card”; certificate of inscription in the foreigners register which is valid for a period of 1 year, and “yellow card”; an identity card valid for a period of 5 years.

These cards will be drafted according to a unified European model and will resemble the ID-cards of Belgian nationals.

EU-nationals will obtain an electronic ID-card which will replace their current “blue card”. Their card will be identical to the ID-card of Belgian nationals.

The authorities are still looking into whether it is possible to replace other documents such as the orange and purple cards – proof of registration (immatriculation) - by electronic documents.

Changing employer on a work-permit

Dear Laga,

What is the process for changing employer in Belgium for a non-EU IT software engineer currently working in Belgium on a work permit?

Regards,

Sreekanth

Dear Sreekanth,

A non-EU national working in Belgium on the basis of a work permit B needs a new work permit if they change employer, since a work permit B is linked to a specific function with only one employer.
 
The new work permit needs to be applied for by the new employer with the regional migration authorities of the place of employment.

The documents that need to be joined to the new work permit are, amongst others, the valid Belgian residence card, the new employment contract, a copy of your diplomas and a legalised information sheet.
 
The work permit application process takes about four weeks. Please note that while the work permit application process is pending, you may not yet start working for your new employer. Your old work permit will need to be returned to the migration authorities when your employment at your old employer ends.
 
We would be pleased to assist you with the application for a work permit on your behalf.
 
Best regards,
 
Matthias Lommers

Relocating from US to Belgium

Dear Laga,
 
I am a US citizen. I want to re-locate to Brussels since my boyfriend lives there.
 
I have five years experience in the financial industry and a Masters in Mathematics.

Would it be hard for me to gain a work visa and a job offer in Belgium as an American citizen? Alternatively, could I set up a consultancy to be self-employed? Is this hard to do?
 
What needs to be done in either case? I want to move there as soon as possible.
 
Regards,
 
Sharon

Dear Sharon,
 
As your boyfriend is already living in Belgium, you will be able to come over to Belgium and obtain a Belgian residence card on the basis of a visa "in the framework of a stable relationship". More information on how to obtain such a visa can be found on the website of the Belgian Ministry of External Affairs (diplomatie.belgium.be).
 
A company that wishes to employ you, as a US citizen, will need to apply for a work permit (type B) with the competent migration authorities. Multinational companies generally know how to apply for such a work permit.

In order to be eligible for a work permit B (for highly qualified personnel), you must have a university degree (at least a bachelor) and must earn at least EUR 33.677 gross per year. The work permit application process takes about 4 weeks.
 
Setting up your own business is more complicated. A US citizen wishing to set up a self-employed business in Belgium needs to apply for a "professional card". A professional card is however only granted if you can prove to the authorities that you have a good business plan and that you have clients in Belgium.
 
Best regards,
 
Matthias Lommers

16 January 2007

Lawyers Lynn Bogaert and Matthias Lommers work for Belgian law firm Laga, located at www.laga.be or contactable by phone: 02 800 7000 .

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[Copyright Laga and Expatica 2007]

Subject: Relocation