Post-doctoral student

This authorisation must be requested for a post-doctoral student who has a scientific research grant for a maximum period of 3 years.

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:

Cross-border workers

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).

If you want to employ a post-doctoral student for a maximum of 90 days: request a type B permit

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

by email to: permisdetravail.enteprises@spw.wallonie.be
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 proof of access to the regulated profession	Yes if employment requested in a regulated profession	No
Proof of a research grant for the worker, with the amount of the grant	Yes	(1)
A copy of the worker's qualification and any confirmation from the host university of their exceptional scientific qualities	Yes	No
Proof of research conducted at the host university or the approved research organisation, with specification of the duration	Yes	(1)

(1): Yes, if the document sent for the first application does not cover the renewal period for which you are applying

If you want to employ a post-doctoral student for more than 90 days: 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.

Take care to select the "post-doctoral student" criteria on the application (Article 16, alinea1, 3°, 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
Proof of a research grant for the worker, with the amount of the grant	Yes	(1)
A copy of the worker's qualification and any confirmation from the host university of their exceptional scientific qualities	Yes	No
Proof of research conducted at the host university or the approved research organisation, with specification of the duration	Yes	(1)
A copy of the proof of access to the regulated profession	Yes if employment requested in a regulated profession	No

(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 maximal 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.

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.