Belgium is increasingly becoming a popular destination for non-EU nationals looking to work in Europe. It offers the perfect balance between good remuneration and a conducive work environment. You can apply for a seasonal worker permit if your Belgian employer proves they couldn’t find qualified professionals for the specified job within a reasonable period.
What Jobs Are Available?
You can land jobs in the following sectors if you get a Belgian Seasonal Worker Permit.
- Agriculture (across the entire country)
- Catering (in Flanders, Wallonia, and other German-speaking regions)
- Horticulture (exclusive to Flanders and Wallonia)
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How to Apply for a Belgium Seasonal Worker Permit
You can start the application process through your employer. The employer will apply to the regional department of economic migration, which includes, Brussels, Flanders, Wallonia, or the German-speaking community. During the process, your employer will submit some documents, including proof of payment of the administrative fees.
Required Documents
Your employer must submit the following documents when applying for a seasonal worker permit.
- A complete application form with signatures
- Documentary evidence relevant to the employment
- A copy of your international passport
- A copy of the employment contract
- A proof of subsistence
- A certificate showing lack of convictions for criminal offences or pending court cases
- A standard medical certificate
- Proof of dignified accommodation
- Proof of health insurance
- Proof of payment of administrative fee
After submission, the federal immigration office and regional authority will assess your application. Processing of first-time applications usually occurs within 90 days. However, it takes less than 60 days if the applicants had been employed as seasonal workers within the past five years.
If your application is approved, you will receive a decision to grant a single permit from the immigration office. Otherwise, you will have to restart the application process.
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How to Apply for Visa D
Besides the work permit, you also need a Category D visa to travel to Belgium. To apply for this visa, you need to present your international passport and seasonal work permit to the nearest Belgium embassy or consular post. Upon submission, the authorities will take your photo and fingerprints. You can check the status of your application online by keying in your reference number and the location of the embassy or consular post.
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Where to Find Jobs in Belgium With a Seasonal Worker Permit
- Pickingjobs.com
- dofi.ibz.be
- indeed.com
- BrusselsJobs
- EuroBrussels
- Jobat
- Jobs in Brussels
- stepstone.be
- aurawoo.com
- fruitspickingjobs.com
- linkedin.com
Frequently Asked Questions
- What Happens After Getting the Seasonal Worker Permit?
Once you arrive in Belgium, you have eight working days to register at the municipality of your place of residence. You will receive a temporary residence document as you wait for inspection from relevant authorities. if you pass the inspection, the municipality gives you a single permit limited to a specified period.
- What is the Duration of Validity of the Permit
A seasonal worker permit is valid for 150 to 365 days.
- Can You Renew a Seasonal Worker Permit?
You can only renew your permit if the duration of your stay does not exceed 150 days. To qualify, you must apply at least one month before the expiry of your current permit to allow the authorities to assess your case.
- Can You Appeal Decisions?
Your employer can appeal the rejection of work permits within 30 days after the decision. You can also appeal yourself within 60 days before the Council of State. These apply to rejections by the regional authority. If the immigration office denies your application, you can appeal before the Council for Alien Law Litigation.
