General category
This authorisation must be requested if the worker does not satisfy one of the other issuing criteria set out for specific jobs or given qualification levels.
This authorisation must comply with the following conditions:
-
among the workers available on the labour market, it must be impossible to find a job seeker able to satisfactorily and within a reasonable time frame, even with appropriate professional training, fill the planned position. This concerns the shortage occupation list for foreign workers updated annually.
The proposed employment contract must include the information contained in Appendix I of the Walloon Government Decree of 16 May 2019. Click here for further information.
The proposed worker may not have entered Belgium with a view to being employed without being authorizesed to work.
The proposed employment must also comply with the laws and regulations applicable in Belgium and the collective labour agreements, particularly in terms of remuneration. The guaranteed average monthly minimum income (RMMMG) as set by the Collective Labour Agreement 43 of the National Labour Council must be reached, regardless of the working arrangements.
The permit is issued for a maximum period of 12 months and can be renewed.
Single permit or type B permit ?
The type B permit is only a work permit.
The type B permit is issued for workers who come to work in Belgium on a contract of less than 90 days.
It is also issued for some categories of workers, even if they come to work for more than 90 days:
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Cross-border workers
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Workers who are resident at the hotel
The fixed-term single permit is a work permit AND a residence permit.
The single permit is issued to workers who come to work for more than 90 days (except for the specific cases below).
Seconded worker or not?
A seconded worker is a worker employed by a foreign employer and who can also, under certain conditions, pay social security contributions in the country of origin without paying to Belgian social security contributions. The seconded worker must respect the conditions of employment, particularly in terms of salary and working arrangements, applicable in Belgium.
If you would like to second a worker, the procedure is similar. You must supply specific documents (see table below).
General category : request a type B permit to employ a worker for a maximum of 90 days
Where is the application submitted?
For the type B permit, you must still make the application using the paper form (2021). Click here to access the application form.
The form and its supporting documents must be sent
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by email to: permisdetravail.enteprises@spw.wallonie.be
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or by post to the following address:
Public Service of Wallonia, Directorate of Employment and Work Permits
Place de la Wallonie, 1
5100 Jambes
How long does it take to process my file?
If your file is complete, the application may take between 1 and 2 months but this can double if your file is incomplete.
How can I submit a renewal application?
You can apply to renew the type B permit if the cumulative work period in Belgium is less than 90 days.
For example, the worker who has already had a one-month contract; if you wish to renew their contract for an additional month, you are still within the 90 days.
If you exceed the 90 days, you must then apply for a single permit.
You must make the application to renew a type B permit at most two months and at least one month before the end of the current type B work permit.
What documents are required?
|
|
First application |
Renewal application |
|
Type B permit application form |
Yes |
Yes |
|
A copy of a valid passport for the worker |
Yes |
Yes |
|
A copy of the worker’s Belgian residence document |
Yes, if existing |
No |
|
A copy of the applicant's identity card (employer or representative) |
Yes |
Yes |
|
A copy of the worker's Belgian or foreign employment contract |
Yes |
(1) |
|
A copy of the worker's qualification |
Yes |
No |
|
A copy of the proof of access to the regulated profession |
Yes if employment requested in a regulated profession |
No |
|
Yes, if worker seconded by a foreign employer |
(1) |
|
|
A copy of the secondment certificate or the individual social security agreement |
Yes, if worker seconded by a foreign employer Doesn’t want to pay social security contributions in Belgium |
(1) |
|
Copies of payslips or the individual remuneration statement |
No |
Yes |
|
A copy of the LIMOSA declaration from the previous employment |
No |
Yes for a seconded worker |
(1): Yes, if the document sent for the first application does not cover the renewal period for which you are applying
General category : apply for a single permit if you want to employ a worker for more than 90 days
Where is the application submitted?
For the single permit, the application must be entered online and the supporting documents submitted on the Working in Belgium federal portal.
Take care to select the "other/ non specific" criteria on the application (Article 16, alinea1, 1°, of the Walloon Government Decree of 16 May 2019) and to prepare the corresponding documents indicated in the tables below in advance.
How long does it take to process my file?
The application must legally be processed within 4 months by the administrations.
The timeframe is generally less for files that are complete and comply with the regulations.
How can I submit a renewal application?
The application to renew a fixed-term single permit must be made at most 3 months and at least 2 months before the end of the current permit.
Documents required for the residence section
|
|
First application |
Renewal application |
|
Payment of the fee |
Yes |
No |
|
Extract of the worker's criminal record |
Yes |
No |
|
Copy of a medical certificate dated within 6 months |
Yes |
No |
|
Proof of health insurance |
Yes |
Yes |
You can find the information and document templates by clicking here.
(1) for the single permit application, the form must be completed and signed electronically online by the applicant (the employer or their representative). No scanned application document is to be attached. The signature of the electronic form isn’t needed for the worker/intern/volunteer/.... He gives his consent by signing the contract/letter of secondment/training agreement/volunteer agreement/..
Documents required for the work section
|
|
First application |
Renewal application |
|
Single permit application form |
Yes (1) |
Yes (1) |
|
A copy of a valid passport for the worker |
Yes |
Yes |
|
A copy of the worker’s Belgian residence document |
Yes, if existing |
No |
|
A copy of the applicant's identity card (employer or representative) |
Yes |
Yes |
|
A copy of the worker's Belgian or foreign employment contract |
Yes |
(2) |
|
A copy of the proof of access to the regulated profession |
Yes if employment requested in a regulated profession |
No |
|
Yes, if worker seconded by a foreign employer |
(2) |
|
|
A copy of the secondment certificate or the individual social security agreement |
Yes, if worker seconded by a foreign employer doesn’t want to pay social security contributions in Belgium |
(2) |
|
Copies of payslips or the individual remuneration statement |
No |
Yes |
|
A copy of the LIMOSA declaration from the previous employment |
No |
Yes for a seconded worker |
(1) : for the single permit application, the form must be completed and signed electronically online by the applicant (the employer or their representative). No scanned application document is to be attached. The signature of the electronic form isn’t needed for the worker/intern/volunteer/.... He gives his consent by signing the contract/letter of secondment/training agreement/volunteer agreement/..
(2): Yes, if the document sent for the first application does not cover the renewal period for which you are applying
Do other documents need to be supplied?
When the permit duration exceeds 12 months, the employer sends a copy of the worker's individual accounts for the elapsed period to the Direction of Employment and Work Permits on every anniversary date of the authorisation being issued.
Other procedures to be completed
Foreign workers employed on a Belgian employment contract must be subject to a DIMONA declaration. Click here for more information on the DIMONA.
Foreign workers who continue to be employed by a foreign employer and are temporarily seconded to Belgium must be subject to a LIMOSA declaration. Click here for more information on the LIMOSA.