Please note that the procedure for obtaining a "research visa" has undergone major legal changes that came into effect on March 1, 2023. In particular, these changes imply that a single permit is required. Applications still pending when the new law comes into force are processed in accordance with the old regulations. Renewal applications filed after the new law comes into force are processed in accordance with the new regulations.

How to apply for a Belgian visa as an international researcher?

From 1st of March 2023:

Third-country nationals, who are linked with a hosting agreement to a research organization recognized in Belgium, can benefit from new legislation regarding the researchers.

In order to carry out a research activity in Belgium, the third country national will need an authorisation for researcher.

This authorisation of researcher should be applied for by the recognized research organization at the competent regional government through the single permit application.

When the recognized research organization submits this application, the researcher has to be, in general, in the country outside the EU. Only if the third country national already has been authorised for a short stay (i.e. maximum of 90 days) long stay (i.e. more than 90 days) in Belgium, an exception is made and third country national may already be on Belgian territory at the time the recognized research organization applies for the authorisation.

We invite you to consult the following sections of the Immigration Office website:

  • Application for authorisation for researcher : procedure, documents and examination period
  • Visa
  • Authorisation for researcher (A card)
  • Renewal of the authorisation for researcher: procedure, documents and examination period
  • After the research project

 

You are researcher:

Third-country nationals, who are linked with a hosting agreement to a research organization recognized in Belgium, can benefit from new legislation regarding the researchers. They can do so through short-term mobility (up to maximum 180/360 days) or long-term mobility (more than 180/360 days with no maximum duration).

Third-country nationals who have already obtained a researcher's permit in another Member State and are conducting part of their research project in Belgium and who wish to stay or reside in Belgium in this capacity for up to 180 days/360 days can come and conduct this research in Belgium via short-term mobility.

The family member who joined the researcher in the first member state and obtained a residence permit there may join the researcher during short-term mobility.

Short-term mobility can start from the notification and subject to having a valid authorisation for researchers issued by the first member state.

The family member must also have completed the notification and be in possession of a  authorisation issued by the first member state before coming to Belgium.

To find out more, visit the website of the Immigration Office.

Third-country nationals, who have obtained an authorization for researcher in another member state, can work on part of the research project in Belgium. If the mobility in Belgium is for over 180 days, the mobility will be called a “long-term mobility”. In this case, the researcher will need an authorization for long-term mobility for researchers. A researchers who wants to come to Belgium for long-term mobility has also to be linked with a hosting agreement to a research organization recognized in Belgium.

In order to carry out a research activity in Belgium, the third country national will need an authorisation for researcher delivered by the first member state as well as an authorization for long-term mobility for researchers.

This authorisation for long-term mobility for researchers should be applied for by the recognized research organization at the competent regional government through the single permit platform.

The application must be submitted 30 days before the start of the long-term mobility. If the application for long-term mobility is submitted following short-term mobility, the application must be submitted 30 days before the end of the short-term mobility.

To find out more, visit the website of the Immigration Office.

Orientation year after completion of research

Upon completion of the research in Belgium, the third-country national may request to be authorised to extend his/her stay by up to 12 months in order to seek employment or set up a business.

This provision also applies to the third-country national who uses or has used his right to mobility in Belgium to carry out part of the research project. Both researchers who have come to Belgium in short-term and long-term mobility can benefit from this. It does not have to follow upon the mobility in Belgium immediately, but it has to follow immediately upon the completion of the research project.

To find out more, visit the website of the Immigration Office.