Highly qualified personnel
You employ a highly qualified worker if:
- Your employee has Level 6 qualifications (minimum under the European framework). This qualification level is met if at least one of the following conditions is satisfied:
- Your employee is a manager in the field of information and communication technology or a specialist in the field of information and communication technology;
- Your employee has acquired at least three years of relevant work experience during the seven years preceding the work permit application;
- Your worker is a higher education graduate.
- Your worker will benefit from a gross salary equal to or higher than the amounts listed here. This minimum amount is indexed annually. It is a gross amount for a full-time worker. If your worker has not reached the age of thirty at the time the application is submitted, the required salary is reduced to 80% of the amount.
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 cross-border workers, even if they come to work for more than 90 days.
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).
f you want to employ a highly qualified worker for a maximum of 90 days: request a type B 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.
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 , or any other act of occupation
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
If you want to employ a highly qualified worker 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 "highly qualified personnel" criteria on the application 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 4 months and at least 1 month 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 will find detailed information here: Regarding health insurance Regarding the fee Regarding the medical certificate
(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 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.
- Your employee has Level 6 qualifications (minimum under the European framework). This qualification level is met if at least one of the following conditions is satisfied:
Contact
Regulation
- articles 23 et 24