European blue card

This authorisation must be requested to employ a worker: 

  • who has signed a permanent employment contract or at least a six months contract with the employer; 

  • who is a higher education graduate demonstrating higher professional qualifications (recognized diploma); 

  • who is a manager in the field of information and communication technologies or a specialist in the field of information and communication technologies,

  • who has acquired at least three years of relevant work experience in the seven years preceding the work permit application.;

  • who will benefit from an annual gross salary equal to or greater than the amount listed here

Single permit or type B permit?

The European Blue Card is accessible only as part of a single permit. 

It is not accessible to cross-border workers or people resident in a hotel. 

Seconded worker or not?

The blue card is not accessible to seconded workers. 

If you want to employ a worker under a European blue card: apply for a single permit

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. 

 

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 , or any other act of occupation

Yes 

(2) 

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 

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?  

This permit is delivered for a 36 months period. This period is renewable.

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. 

 

Autres démarches à réaliser

Les travailleurs étrangers engagés sous contrat de travail belge doivent faire l’objet d’une déclaration DIMONA avant la mise au travail. Cliquez ici pour plus d'informations sur la DIMONA.

Les travailleurs étrangers qui continuent d’être occupés par un employeur étranger et sont temporairement détachés en Belgique doivent faire l’objet d’une déclaration LIMOSA avant la mise au travail en Belgique. Cliquez ici pour plus d'informations sur la LIMOSA.