You are a worker
Are you a citizen of a country outside the European Economic Area (European Union, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland)?
Do you want to come and work in Wallonia? It is possible under certain conditions.
The company wishing to hire you must submit a work permit application to our services.
Under what circumstances can you work in Wallonia?
- An employer wants to employ you in their company based in Belgium
- Your employer, based abroad, has asked you to provide services in Belgium as an employee
- You want to come and work in Belgium as an employee
To do so, you must be permitted to reside in Belgium AND authorised to work in Belgium:
- Residence permit is issued by the Immigration Office
- Work permit is issued by the Public Service of Wallonia
The arrival of foreign workers (economic migration) is different to asylum or family reunification. It takes into account the needs of the labour market in Belgium and Wallonia. These conditions also ensure that you have the same rights as Belgian workers.
Click here to view the text version of this infographic.
Can you be exempt from having a permit?
In some cases, you do not have to apply for a work permit.
There are exemptions related to:
- work
- residence
What are your rights as a foreign worker?
As a worker subject to work permit, you enjoy the same rights as a Belgian worker.
Seasonal workers’ rights: see the leafletYou are paid a statutory minimum salary linked to specific scales.
Who should make the application and when?
Your employer fills the permit application for you. The employer provides information on the position that you will hold. You provide information on your identity.
In principle, except for certain categories, you should stay in your country of residence during the work permit application.
It is possible to apply for a work permit in Belgium if:
- You are already legally resident in Belgium (as a student or highly-qualified person for example)
- You already have a work permit in another region (Brussels-Capital Region, Flemish Region or German-speaking Community)
What are the different types of permits?
There are different types of work permits, depending on the job and the duration of the employment contract.
After holding a fixed-term permit for a certain period of time, you can apply for an unlimited permit.
The work permit is issued for a worker at a given employer and in a given position. Any change to one of these elements requires a new permit application.Wallonia only issues work permits. It doesn’t issue any national numbers, residence permits, or orders to leave the territory. Click here for further information on these subjects.
What should you do once your permit has been granted?
If you reside abroad, once your permit has been granted:
- Your employer will provide you with the necesseray documents.
- You will receive a visa through the diplomatic post to cross the borders.
If you are already in Belgium at the time of your application: your employer will provide you with the necessary documents.
How long is the work permit valid?
The validity of the permit depends on the duration set out in the employment contract and the type of permit received.
Please note:
- certain positions are limited in duration: 1 year for interns, 6 months for specialised technicians, 5 months for seasonal workers.
- if your residence permit is no longer valid, your work permit is no longer valid either.
Permits may be extended if the employment contract is extended. In this case, you must apply for a renewal. Click here for more information on renewal.
After several renewals, and subject to certain conditions, you may apply for an unlimited permit. For this type of permit, it must be you who submits the application for it (in the region where you live).
Unlimited single permit
After holding a fixed-term permit for a certain period of time, you can apply for an unlimited permit.
Apply for an unlimited work permitRegulation
