Before applying for jobs as a non-EEA citizen, it’s helpful to understand the Single Permit procedure, its timelines and requirements (degrees and salary conditions!) to save time and avoid disappointment.
AttentionThis article will go over the basics only (and is leaving out a lot of legal specifics so if you want more, go to the Your Future in Flanders page), such as the most common categories, the conditions, the applications process, and most importantly: where to go for updated and accurate information.
What's on this page?
A quick summary of the single permit, is it for you?
Are you from outside the EEA?
Yes > Read on.
No > As a European Economic Area (EEA) citizen, you don’t need a single permit.
Would you like to work as an employee in Flanders?
Yes, I’d like to join an existing company. > Read on.
No, I want to be self-employed or freelance. > Check out this article on Professional cards.
Do I need a work permit?
One of the easiest ways to find out if you need a work permit is by checking exemption categories or taking the test on the work permit simulator (on the same link).
If you already live in Belgium, you can also take a quick look at the back of your E-ID. In the top left-hand corner if it says “ARBEIDSMARKT: NEEN” then you do not have the right to work, therefore you would need to get a single permit before working
Ok, so what are the basics of the single permit?
Long story short: a single permit is a work and residence permit combined into one document/card, that allows you to live and work legally in Belgium. You need a corporate sponsor to get a single permit, in other words only the employer can apply for a single permit, not the employee. So, you have to find a job first, before you can get a single permit.
There are many categories of single permits, but the most commonly applied for in the Leuven region is the single permit for a “highly skilled worker”. Other popular categories are “postdoc researchers”, “shortage occupation” and “specialized technician”. All come with their own set of conditions, usually related to the educational degree and salary an applicant must have.
For example, the conditions to apply for the “highly skilled worker” permit are:
- Education level: higher education or university diploma
- Salary: this amount is indexed yearly and refers to a percentage of average salary. Concretely for 2025 in Flanders this translates to 48,912€ gross annual salary, unless you are under 30 years old then it is 80% of this amount. (More details here)
- On average, it takes 3-4 months to get a single permit – so make sure you factor that into your timelines.
A Single Permit is typically valid for up to a maximum of three years and then has to be renewed by the employer at least two months before it is due to expire.
Your employer can apply for your Single Permit before you come to Belgium, or (for most categories) if you are already in the country legally (!) on different paperwork.
Is it hard to find an employer to sponsor a single permit?
That depends! Some companies are used to hiring internationals, and for them, it’s straightforward and part of their procedures. But for companies who haven’t done this before, they may be worried about the extra costs or paperwork, so it will be helpful for you to be knowledgeable about the process as well.
AttentionWe really recommend being proactive about the entire process – keep on top of the paperwork and deadlines and work with your HR colleagues to make sure everything is in order.
The different categories
There are different types or categories of single permit.
We suggest that you go directly to the website of the Flemish government to browse the different categories. The ones we see the most often are:
- Highly skilled worker
- Shortage occupations
- Postdoctoral researcher
An outline of the single permit process
Step #1: Get familiar with the Single Permit process and the categories
Take a good look at the categories listed above and read up on the process, and tailor your job search accordingly. For example, do you want to work in defined “shortage occupation” where Belgium is desperately seeking workers ? Then the conditions are less strict to receive a single permit and that can work to your advantage when applying for a job. Or if you are trying for a highly skilled category, you’ll have to find a job that meets the salary threshold, which may not be a given depending on your field and experience.
Decide on your strategy for job-hunting: some people include their need for a work permit on their CV’s, and others wait to be offered the job first. Each method has its own pros and cons. Which approach works for your situation will depend on the type of work you do and the kinds of companies you are applying to.
Step #2: Find an employer
If you need assistance looking for a job, the International House has your back. We host a variety of (free) career related workshops to help you find your way to the Belgian labor market. From help with CV and motivation letters, to networking and understanding the Belgian system we have events to help!
Step #3 Land a job and work with your HR team to apply for a single permit
Make sure that your hiring officer is aware that you need a single permit and that this process is completed by the employer. Share with them the conditions of the category you most likely fall in. For example, as a highly skilled worker you have to have a certain education level and a certain salary (in 2025 this is a salary of gross €48.912 for ages 30 and up which is about 3.520€ gross per month if on Belgian payroll).
Step #4 Organize all of the documents needed for the single permit application and send them to you HR
You may want to familiarize yourself with which documents you’ll need ahead of time, so once you need them, you can act quickly – some documents from your home country may need to be translated and legalized for example. Though you won’t be able to prepare them all ahead of time, some will need to have a date close to your application date.
Check out the full list of documents needed for the application
Step #5 Your employer submits your application
You employer will submit your application to the regional authorities through the online portal “Working in Belgium”. Then there are three key stages (more on that further on) your application will go through. Once the application is in the system, it is a waiting game until you hear more. The overall waiting time is on average 3-4 months - you can't work yet!
Your Employer can stay updated on the status of your application through the “working in Belgium” portal.
Step #6 Take your Annex 46 to the relevant authority
Your employer will receive your Annex 46. They will send this to you so you can take this to the next authority. On the second page, it should say which authority you need take it to. The two options we usually see are:
- taking it to the city hall if you live here already, this will trigger your new E-ID card request.
- taking it to your embassy if you aren’t in Belgium yet. (Upon arrival in Belgium you’ll also have to go to the city hall where you live to request your E-ID card.)
Step #7 Pick up your single permit (E-ID) at your City Hall and celebrate!
Once you’ve submitted your registration at the city hall, you’ll first receive an Annex 49, with which you can officially start your new job! Off to work you go! 😊
Soon after you will receive information from your city hall indicating that you can start the process to pick up your E-ID (your physical Belgian ID card). This is the last step!
Why does it take 3-4 months to get a single permit?
There are 3 key stages that your application will go through to be processed: first at a regional level, then at a federal level, then (possibly) to the Belgian consulate in your home country, before coming back to your local town hall – that's quite some checks to go through!
Here’s a brief outline of the process (we’re cutting some legal specifics to keep it understandable):
Stage 1: Checking the full application and work eligibility
The application has two phases:
- Right to work:
The file is sent to the regional ministry to confirm the authorization to work. This phase (in Flanders) can take anywhere from 8-12 weeks to process.
- Right to reside:
The Federal immigration office grants an Annex 46 (single permit approval). This can take anywhere from 8 -10 weeks and will be delivered to your employer.
Stage 2: Applying for the visa
This stage involves formalizing the right to reside. The Belgian Consular Post in your home country is responsible for this step and will grant a visa (the right to enter, register, and reside in Belgium). The processing time for this is 5-10 business days.
If you’re already in Belgium, your application may bypass this step and go straight to your commune’s administrative office to register.
Stage 3: Issuing the Single Permit ID card
Finally, the last stage is when the local town hall starts the registration procedure. (This also explains why you need a permanent address to start this part of the process. No address, no town hall.) Once you receive an Annex 49, you can start working. Later in the registration process you will receive a notification to go to your city hall and pick up your new single permit E-ID. The general processing time for this stage is 4-8 weeks.
A commonly seen route to a single permit
There are a few common cases we see at the International House. One of the more popular routes:
- A recently graduated student or researcher applies for a search year permit, which allows them to stay in Belgium for a year after they complete their studies or research with access to the labor market (i.e. no extra paperwork required to work as a salaried worker). That gives some time to look for a job or try a few things out. When there’s a match between a graduate and an employer and all the conditions are met, the employer applies for a single permit. As already said above, an application takes a couple of months, so timing is important.
The other common route we see:
- The non-EEA partner of a student joins their other half in Belgium and gets a residence card under family reunification. However, this does not grant them access to the labor market, so they still need a single permit. They find a company that would like to hire them. Fortunately, they meet all the single permit conditions. They get a single permit following the steps mentioned above and apply for a change of status to get residence on their own merit.
Validity and renewal
The validity period of a single permit in Belgium can vary depending on the specific circumstances of the employment and the terms set by the employer and regional authorities, but in the end it can be valid for between 3 months and 3 years.
Employers and applicants should check the specific conditions and validity periods applicable to their situation with the relevant regional authority in Belgium (Flanders, Wallonia, or Brussels).
To renew a single permit, the employer needs to apply via the “Working in Belgium” platform at least 2 months and maximum 6 months before the expiry of the current permit. More info here.
Renewals are subject to the same criteria as the initial application, including continued employment, compliance with residence requirements, and other conditions set by regional and federal authorities (including salary requirements).
AttentionWe highly recommend you keep an eye on the dates and put reminders in your diary to prompt your HR team to renew your permit.
Common misconceptions
- Your city hall is responsible for the whole single permit process. No, your city hall of residence only becomes involved at the end of the whole process, after you have received the right to work and reside and you go to request an E-ID.
- The individual applies for the single permit themselves. No, besides a few uncommon exceptions, the employer applies for a single permit for the employee.
- Every single permit is valid for 3 years. No, this is not always the case. Single permits can be valid for between 3 months and 3 years.
- The region responsible for your single permit is where you live. No, the process depends on the location of your work. If you live in Flanders but would like to work for a company located in Wallonia, then you must abide by the conditions of Wallonia.
More resources
Where to get up to date and official information?
Helpful dutch vocabulary
- Gecombineerde vergunning = Single permit
- Contract van onbepaalde duur = Contract of indefinite duration
- Bepaalde duur = Fixed duration
- Sociale zekerheid = Social security
- Brutoloon = Gross salary
- Belastbaar brutoloon = Taxable gross salary
- Nettoloon = Net salary
