Professions with a labour shortage for foreign workers
- What does the Work Permit Service expect in terms of compiling a file and managing an application for admission to work? Click here for the key points to remember.
This work permit application must be filed for a worker who does not perform a specific occupation or does not meet the required qualification levels laid down in the regulations.
This permit must meet the following conditions:
- Among the workers available on the labour market, it is impossible to find a job seeker capable of satisfactorily and within a reasonable time frame, even with appropriate professional training, filling the planned position. A list of professions with a labour shortage applicable to foreign workers wishing to work in Belgium, has been compiled and is updated annually.
- The proposed worker cannot have entered Belgium with a view to being employed without being authorised to work.
- The employment contract must be duly completed, dated, and signed by both parties. It must include the following information (pursuant to Article 15 of the Walloon Government Decree (AGW) of 6 June 2024):
- The personal information of the employer and the worker,
- The duration and place of work,
- The working hours,
- The salary and the number of the joint committee to which the employer belongs,
- The worker's position and the position's classification.
- The employment contract must also include provisions certifying that the employer (pursuant to Article 2, § 1 of the Walloon Government Decree (AGW) of 6 June 2024):
- covers any travel expenses to Belgium;
- insures the third-country national, covering medical and pharmaceutical care and, if necessary, hospitalisation, until they are eligible to receive health and disability insurance benefits
- 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 work permit B?
Permit B is solely a work permit.
Permit B is issued to workers who come to work in Belgium on a contract of less than 90 days.
It is also issued to cross-border workers, even if they come to work for more than 90 days.
The single permit for a limited period is both a work permit AND a residence permit.
The single permit is issued to workers who come to work for more than 90 days (except in the special cases mentioned above).
Are you a seconded worker or not?
A seconded worker is a worker employed by a foreign employer who, under certain conditions, can contribute to the social security system of their country of origin without contributing to the Belgian social security system. Seconded workers must comply with the working conditions in force in Belgium, particularly in terms of salary and working arrangements.
If you wish to second a worker, the procedure is similar. You must provide specific documents (see table below).
If you wish to employ a worker for a maximum of 90 days in an occupation where there is a shortage of workers, apply for a B work permit.
Where should I submit my application?
From 1 May 2026, applications for a B permit must be submitted online via the Working in Belgium portal.
If you are having difficulty using the online platform, you will, as a one-off exception, be given a grace period to register. Paper applications will still be accepted until 31 August 2026. After this date, only online applications will be accepted (send to permisdetravail.entreprises@spw.wallonie.be or to Service public de Wallonie - Direction de l’Emploi et des Permis de Travail - Place de la Wallonie, 1 à 5100 JAMBES).
How long will it take to process my application?
If your application is complete, processing may take between 1 and 2 weeks, but this may take twice as long if your application is incomplete.
How do I apply for a renewal?
You can submit an application to renew a B permit if the total period of work in the country is less than 90 days.
For example, a worker who already had a one-month contract; if you wish to renew their contract for a further month, you remain below the 90-day limit.
If you exceed 90 days, particularly upon renewal, you must then apply for a single permit.
You must apply to renew a B permit no later than two months and no earlier than one month before the expiry of the current B work permit.
Documents required for the work section
First application
Renewal application
Single permit application form
Yes (1)
Yes (1)
Copy of the worker’s valid passport
Yes
Yes
Copy of the worker’s Belgian residence permit
Yes, if available
No
Copy of the applicant’s residency card of the applicant (employer or representative)
Yes
Yes
Copy of the worker’s Belgian or foreign employment contract, or any other document confirming their employment. The contract must include the mandatory information listed at the top of this page.
Yes
(1)
Copy of the worker’s diploma
Yes
No
Job market evidence: FOREM
Yes
No
Copy of the evidence for access to a regulated profession
Yes, if the occupation sought is a regulated profession
No
Yes, if you are a worker seconded by a foreign employer
(1)
Copy of the secondment certificate or individual social security agreement
Yes, if you are a worker seconded by a foreign employer
who does not wish to pay social security contributions in Belgium
(1)
Copy of payslips or individual remuneration account
No
Yes
Copy of the LIMOSA declaration for the previous occupation
No
Yes for a seconded worker
(1): Yes, if the document sent for the initial application does not cover the renewal period you are requesting.
Important information regarding the evidence to be provided in relation to the job market
Several types of evidence can be provided to demonstrate that the local market cannot meet the demand for employment:
- Presence of the job on the list of occupations where there is a shortage - Article 2 §2, 1 of the AGW (Walloon government decree) of 6 June 2024
- FOREM certifies that it has been impossible to find a suitable job for at least five weeks. The vacancy is also automatically published via EURES – Article 2, §2, 2° a); Article 2 § 3
- Unsuccessful search for a candidate via the active management system by FOREM (which will provide a certificate) – Article 2, §2, 2° b)
- Unsuccessful search for a candidate via pre-selection by FOREM (which will provide a certificate) – Article 2, §2, 2° c
- Assessment by the delegated official on the basis of information provided by the applicant – Article 2, §4
For evidence to be provided via FOREM, the necessary steps must be taken prior to the application, given the response times applicable under the regulations (15 days). See FOREM page
For the purposes of assessment by the designated civil servant, this mechanism is not intended to replace FOREM’s expertise. It will concern applications for new, innovative and/or non-existent occupations on the local job market. All applications must be justified and contextualised, and submitted at the initiative of established operators. Failure to comply with these conditions may result in the evidence being considered insufficient.
The Minister of Employment retains the power to grant exemptions from this provision, in particular in the event of an appeal against a refusal.
Other steps to be taken:
If the worker is a seconded worker:
- you must submit a Limosa declaration
If the worker is not a seconded worker:
- You must check whether you need to submit a Dimona declaration.
- You must register the worker with the social security system in Belgium
You wish to employ someone for more than 90 days in a, occupation where there is a shortage of workers: apply for a single permit
Where should you submit your application?
For the single permit, the application must be submitted online, together with the accompanying documents, on the federal portal Working in Belgium.
Be sure to select the ‘other/unspecified’ option on the application form and prepare the relevant documents listed in the tables below in advance.
How long will it take to process my application?
Applications must be processed by the authorities within four months.
The processing time is generally shorter for applications that are complete and comply with the regulations.
How do I apply for a renewal?
Applications for renewal of a single limited-duration permit must be submitted no later than four months and no earlier than one month before the expiry date of the current permit.
Documents required for the residence section
First application
Renewal application
Payment of the fee
Yes
No
Extract from the worker’s police record
Yes
No
Copy of a medical certificate issued less than 6 months ago
Yes
No
Proof of health insurance
Yes
Yes
You will find detailed information here:
- Regarding health insurance
- Regarding tax
- Regarding the medical certificate
Documents required for the work section
First application
Renewal application
Single permit application form
Yes (1)
Yes (1)
Copy of the worker’s valid passport
Yes
Yes
Copy of the worker’s Belgian residence permit
Yes, if available
No
Copy of the applicant’s residency card of the applicant (employer or representative)
Yes
Yes
Copy of the worker’s Belgian or foreign employment contract, or any other document confirming their employment. The contract must include the mandatory information listed at the top of this page.
Yes
(2)
Copy of the worker’s diploma
Yes
No
Job market evidence: FOREM
Yes
No
Copy of the evidence for access to a regulated profession
Yes, if the occupation sought is a regulated profession
No
Yes, if you are a worker seconded by a foreign employer
(2)
Copy of the secondment certificate or individual social security agreement
Yes, if you are a worker seconded by a foreign employer
who does not wish to pay social security contributions in Belgium
(2)
Copy of payslips or individual remuneration account
No
Yes
Copy of the LIMOSA declaration for the previous occupation
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 documents need to be attached. No signature of the electronic form is required for the worker/trainee/volunteer; the signature on the contract, secondment letter, internship agreement/programme or volunteer agreement constitutes consent for the application.
2) Yes, if the document sent for the first application does not cover the renewal period you are requesting.
Important information regarding the evidence to be provided in relation to the job market
Several types of evidence can be provided to demonstrate that the local market cannot meet the demand for employment:
- Presence of the job on the list of occupations where there is a shortage - Article 2 §2, 1 of the AGW (Walloon government decree) of 6 June 2024
- FOREM certifies that it has been impossible to find a suitable job for at least five weeks. The vacancy is also automatically published via EURES – Article 2, §2, 2° a); Article 2 § 3
- Unsuccessful search for a candidate via the active management system by FOREM (which will provide a certificate) – Article 2, §2, 2° b)
- Unsuccessful search for a candidate via pre-selection by FOREM (which will provide a certificate) – Article 2, §2, 2° c
- Assessment by the delegated official on the basis of information provided by the applicant – Article 2, §4
For evidence to be provided via FOREM, the necessary steps must be taken prior to the application, given the response times applicable under the regulations (15 days). See FOREM page
For the purposes of assessment by the designated civil servant, this mechanism is not intended to replace FOREM’s expertise. It will concern applications for new, innovative and/or non-existent occupations on the local job market. All applications must be justified and contextualised, and submitted at the initiative of established operators. Failure to comply with these conditions may result in the evidence being considered insufficient.
The Minister of Employment retains the power to grant exemptions from this provision, in particular in the event of an appeal against a refusal.
Are any other documents required?
When the authorisation period exceeds 12 months, the employer must send a copy of the worker’s individual accounts for the previous year to Direction de l’Emploi et des Permis de Travail (Employment and Work Permits Department) on each anniversary date of the authorisation’s issue.
Other steps to be taken:
If the worker is a seconded worker:
- you must submit a Limosa declaration
If the worker is not a seconded worker:
- You must submit a Dimona declaration
- You must register the worker with the social security system in Belgium
Réglementation
- articles 2 et 3
Contacts