Work permits

Belgium Jobs for Foreigners 2026: How the Single Permit Works

How Belgium jobs for foreigners depend on the single permit, the role of your employer, the three regional authorities and the long-stay visa step.

EU Job Hub Editorial Team · Updated 1 October 2026

Introduction

Belgium jobs for foreigners from outside the EU usually need a single permit. It combines a work permit and a residence permit in one procedure. Your employer, not you, starts it.

This guide uses the Belgian Immigration Office and official Belgian mission pages. It explains who does what and in which order. It does not replace regional guidance, because rules differ by region.

Quick Information

What the Single Permit Is

Since 3 January 2019, non-European citizens who want to work in Belgium for more than 90 days must hold a single permit. The permit shows that you may stay and work in Belgium.

The Immigration Office issues the permit when both parts are approved. The work part is decided by the Region. The stay part is decided by the federal office.

Your Employer Applies

The application must be made by an employer based in Belgium. The employer files through a one-stop counter with the Region that has authority.

The Belgian embassy does not handle this stage. Your role is to give the employer the documents they ask for. Start by confirming the employer is willing to sponsor you.

Belgium Jobs for Foreigners and the Three Regions

Work permits are a regional matter. Flanders, Brussels-Capital and Wallonia each have an authority. The law of the Region where the employer has its head office applies.

Criteria, conditions and exemptions can differ from one Region to another. Read the guidance of the right Region before you accept an offer. Salary and role rules may not be the same everywhere.

Documents Your Employer May Ask For

Belgian missions list typical papers for the employer file. Requirements vary, so treat this as a guide.

• A valid passport, often with more than 12 months of validity.
• An authenticated criminal record certificate if you are over 18.
• Proof of health insurance covering all risks.
• Proof of sufficient means for your stay and the length of the contract.
• A medical document, dated within three months of the application.

Your employer sends these with a copy of your employment contract on an approved form.

After the Work Permit Is Granted

Once the Region grants work authorisation, the file goes to the Immigration Office. If the stay part is approved, you receive a decision to grant the single permit. It is known as annex 46.

Many applicants then need a long-stay visa D. The visa carries a national indication, B34, which shows a single permit has been granted.

Duration and Change of Employer

The permit is granted for work with a specific employer. For some categories it can be valid for up to three years. If it is limited in time, you must ask for renewal.

A change of employer needs attention. Do not assume the permit moves with you. Ask the authority before you switch jobs.

Rules You Must Respect

If you or your employer break the conditions of the work authorisation, the permit can be withdrawn. Keep your contract terms in line with the permit.

Report changes such as a new role or a new work location. Ask your employer to check them with the Region.

Bringing Family

A single permit holder may be joined by family members under certain conditions. The Belgian mission in Pakistan lists the documents for the family application. They include a copy of the permit and proof of stable, regular and sufficient means.

Plan this early. Family applications are separate from your own.

Searching for the Employer

Use EURES and company career pages. Focus on roles where an employer is likely to sponsor, such as shortage fields. Write a CV that shows clear skills and dates.

Ask in the first interview whether the company has sponsored a single permit before. That answer saves time.

Application Checklist

1. Identify the Region where your employer is based.
2. Confirm the employer will file the single permit.
3. Gather passport, record, insurance and medical documents.
4. Read the regional rules for your role and salary.
5. Wait for the decision and the annex 46.
6. Apply for the long-stay visa D if required.
7. Keep your contract and permit conditions aligned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for the single permit myself? No. The employer in Belgium files the application with the competent Region.

What is the national indication B34? It appears on the D visa and shows the worker received a single permit.

Do the rules differ by region? Yes. The Region of the employer’s head office decides the criteria that apply.

Can the permit be withdrawn? Yes, if you or your employer do not respect the conditions of the work authorisation.

Next Steps

Find an employer that is ready to sponsor you. Then identify the right Region and read its guidance. Confirm current documents and fees before you sign any contract.

Official Sources to Check

Use official platforms and national authorities to verify current rules before applying or travelling.

• Belgian Immigration Office — Single permit
• Belgian mission — Visa on the basis of a work permit
• EU Immigration Portal — Employed worker in Belgium
• EURES — Find a job

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Disclaimer: EU Job Hub provides general editorial information for jobseekers. It does not guarantee employment, sponsorship, work-permit approval or visa approval. Employment and immigration rules vary by country and by personal circumstances. Verify important information with employers and official authorities before making decisions. Never pay an individual or recruiter solely because they promise a job, placement or visa.