Immigration to Belgium
Immigrating to Belgium is highly appealing due to the low cost of living and education in the country. The favorable economic conditions and numerous job opportunities are among the advantages of immigration to Belgium. There are various immigration pathways to Belgium. Some of the most important methods of immigration to Belgium are as follows:
- Study immigration to Belgium
- Work immigration to Belgium
- Investment immigration to Belgium
- Immigration through marriage
- Immigration through child birth
- Seeking asylum in Belgium
Before taking any steps, you should assess which immigration route is most suitable for your circumstances. To immigrate to Belgium, you must have a good level of language skills, financial stability, and a strong educational or work resume.
In the new plan of the immigration agency, Malekpour, immigration through job placement in specific professions with limited capacity is available. Applicants can apply without age restrictions and without a language certificate, as long as they have a strong work resume and a basic knowledge of the language. For more specialized consultation regarding immigration to Belgium, you can use Malekpour’s free consultation service.
Everything You Need to Know About Migrating to Belgium
- Location: Western Europe, borders France, Germany, Netherlands, Luxembourg.
- Capital: Brussels (EU and NATO headquarters).
- Languages: Dutch (Flemish), French, German.
- Area & Population: 30,528 km²; 11.5 million people.
- Currency: Euro (€).
- Government: Constitutional monarchy with a federal system.
- Economy: Advanced, key industries include chemicals, machinery, food, and textiles.
- Culture: Known for art, music, chocolates, waffles, and diverse cuisine.
- Tourism: Grand Place (Brussels), Bruges, Gravensteen Castle (Ghent).
- Climate: Oceanic, cool summers, mild winters.
- Education: Strong system with top universities like KU Leuven and University of Brussels.
- Easiest Path: Work or study migration.
- Fastest Path: Obtaining a Belgian work visa.
- Cheapest Path: Studying at public universities or working in Belgium.
- Best Path: Work migration for skilled professionals.
- Top Universities: KU Leuven, Université libre de Bruxelles, Ghent University, University of Antwerp, University of Liège.
- In-Demand Jobs: Port manager, ship repair manager, CNC machinist, port technician, maintenance worker, metalworker, sewing machine repair technician.
- Family Accompaniment: Allowed.
- Permanent Residency Paths: Work, marriage, or post-graduation employment.
- Main Regions: Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels-Capital Region.
Is it easy to obtain residency in Belgium?
Everyone can apply for permanent residency in Belgium after at least five years of legal residence. Depending on your nationality and purpose of stay, there are various types of residence cards. Some cards are exclusively available to EU and EFTA migrants.
How to apply for migration to Belgium?
To obtain a visa for migrating to Belgium, you must choose a specific migration pathway and meet the necessary requirements. Provide translated documents along with an international passport, and submit your visa application to the Belgian diplomatic or consular office in your place of residence. Authorities will take your fingerprints and a digital photo.
You can also ask your questions in the comments section, and you will receive a response in a short time.
Topics Covered in This Article:
Belgium as a Destination for Migration
Immigrating to Belgium is possible through various methods, but the conditions for each of these methods are not fixed, and you should consult with an immigration lawyer before taking any action. Belgium is a member of the European Union and is located in the western part of the continent. The three languages spoken and understood by the people of Belgium are German, French, and Dutch.
Therefore, your proficiency in these languages will certainly make life in Belgium easier for you. Belgium has a population of approximately 11 million people living in an area of 30,688 square kilometers. The country’s currency is the Euro, and its capital is Brussels. Now that we know the general conditions of the country, we will also review Belgium as a place to live and the methods of immigration to it.
Conditions for Migration to Belgium
The prerequisites and conditions for immigration to Belgium depend on the purpose of residence. Below are the conditions for immigration to Belgium for Iranians:
- Having an adequate language proficiency
- Having financial means to cover living expenses
- Having an academic or professional resume depending on the chosen method
- Providing a health certificate and a clean criminal record
- Having a job offer (if applying through the work method)
Age Conditions for Migration to Belgium
The age requirements for residence in Belgium vary depending on the type of immigration method. For example, for student residence in Belgium, the maximum age is 22 years for a bachelor’s degree, 27 years for a master’s degree, and 32 years for a doctoral program. In the case of work and investment methods, individuals can apply for residence in Belgium until the age of 45.
Pathways for Migration to Belgium
Applicants for immigration to Belgium can choose one of the various types of visas depending on their purpose of immigration. In general, the different immigration routes to Belgium can be categorized into 7 types: study, work, investment, marriage, birth of a child, asylum, and special individuals and artists.
Study Immigration
Work Immigration
Investment Immigration
Immigration by Birth of a Child
Marriage Immigration
Asylum Immigration
Immigration to Belgium through Education
For students from outside Switzerland and the European Union who wish to study and reside in Belgium for more than 3 months, they must apply for a Belgian student visa, also known as Type D. Studying in undergraduate, master’s, and preparatory programs such as language courses can lead to obtaining a student visa for this country and ultimately immigration to Belgium.
These programs must be full-time, and the primary goal of the applicant must be to study in Belgium.
By obtaining a Belgian student visa, the person can also apply for family reunification for their dependents. Additionally, during their studies, students are allowed to work 20 hours per week.
| Global ranking QS | University |
| 80 | KU Leuven |
| 130 | Ghent University |
| 167 | Universite Cathoique de Louvain |
| 223 | University of Antwerp |
| 251 | Institute for European Studies-Universite Libre de Bruxelles |
| 195 | Vrije Universiteit Brussels |
| 429 | University of Liege |
| 591 | Universite de Mons |
Immigration to Belgium Through Undergraduate Studies:
Studying in Belgium at the undergraduate level takes 3 to 4 years. Programs are taught in French, German, and Dutch, while studying in English is only possible by gaining admission to specific universities offering English-taught courses. To study in English at the undergraduate level, a minimum IELTS score of 6 is required.
General Conditions for Undergraduate Studies in Belgium (in English):
| Duration | Language Score | Language of Instruction | Average Tuition Fees | Work Permission During Studies |
| 3 to 4 years | IELTS 5.5+ / Duolingo 105 / TOEFL 79+ | English | €835 – €9,000 per year | Yes |
Residency in Belgium Through Master’s Studies:
The duration of a master’s program in Belgium ranges from 1 to 2 years. Like undergraduate programs, these are taught in French, Dutch, and German. To obtain a student residency for master’s studies, the following requirements must be met:
General Conditions for Master’s Studies in Belgium (in English):
| Duration | Language Score | Language of Instruction | Average Tuition Fees | Work Permission During Studies |
| 1 to 2 years | IELTS 6.5+ / Duolingo 105 / TOEFL 79+ | English | €6,000 – €7,000 per year | Yes |
Immigration to Belgium Through Ph.D. Studies:
For Ph.D. studies in Belgium, having a supervisor is essential. The supervisor, acting as a senior expert, oversees the research, academic activities, and dissertation of the student. Ph.D. students often receive a stipend, and most programs at this level are offered in English.
General Conditions for Ph.D. Studies in Belgium:
| Duration | Language Score | Language of Instruction | Average Tuition Fees | Work Permission During Studies |
| 4 years | IELTS 7+ | English, French, or German | €500 – €850 per year | Yes |
Residence in Belgium through Investment
One of the immigration routes to Belgium is through investment in the country. Investment offers various methods, and each method results in a different type of residency. One of the investment methods is purchasing property. Another method of investment in Belgium is company registration.
This method has different types, and depending on the type of company, the initial capital required can range from around 10,000 euros to 60,000 euros. To learn more about the investment methods in Belgium, it is recommended that you refer to the related article.
Immigration to Belgium through Company Registration
One of the investment pathways to Belgium that leads to obtaining residence is entrepreneurship and company registration in Belgium. Due to its geographical location, Belgium offers a strategic central access to Europe, which has led to a thriving business environment.
Applicants who register a company in Belgium receive a residence card for 1 to 5 years from the Federal Public Service (FPS). This card can be renewed annually as long as the business remains profitable and the conditions are maintained. After several years of legal residency and a profitable business, applicants can apply for permanent residency in Belgium.
Immigration to Belgium through Entrepreneurship
For entrepreneurship, the applicant must present a creative and new idea, along with a business plan. If this business plan is approved by Belgium and the country is convinced of the profitability of the idea, the applicant will be granted a visa and residence permit.
The initial residency obtained through entrepreneurship in Belgium is valid for three years. This can be extended annually, provided the business continues to operate and is profitable. After that, the applicant can apply for permanent residency in Belgium. The applicant must prove they have an annual investment of approximately 35,000 euros to qualify for this immigration route.
Immigration to Belgium through Property Purchase
In Belgium, according to ownership laws, as a foreign individual, you can purchase property. Belgium has specific regulations for immigration through property purchase, and under these laws, your living conditions in Belgium can be facilitated if you spend between 350,000 to 500,000 euros on property.
Due to the relatively affordable property prices in Belgium and the low taxes on real estate, many individuals consider property investment in Belgium as a viable option. Given that the price of the euro is constantly changing, it is not possible to specify a fixed amount for property prices in Iran’s currency. It is better to convert the price of a property in euros by multiplying the current price by the exchange rate. The price per square meter in Brussels ranges from 1,900 to 2,800 euros.
Immigration to Belgium through Employment
One of the methods of immigration to Belgium is through work. If you are also considering working in Belgium, it’s important to take a look at the country’s unemployment rate. As seen in the graph, this rate has been decreasing since 2014 and reached 3.5% in 2019.
To obtain residence in Belgium through work, you must apply for a work visa. There are three types of work visas in Belgium, known as A, B, and C.
Types of Work Visas for Belgium:
- Type A Work Visa: The Type A work permit is issued to those who have worked for at least 4 years in the past 10 years with a Type B work permit and have not spent more than one year outside Belgium during their stay.
- Type B Work Visa: When you have a job offer in Belgium, your employer can apply for a Type B work permit on your behalf. This permit is valid for one year regardless of the length of the employment contract but can be renewed if you meet the necessary conditions.
- Type C Work Visa: The Type C work permit is issued to foreign nationals with temporary residence in Belgium, such as students, family members of diplomats, or individuals whose residence status has not yet been confirmed, such as asylum seekers. This permit allows the holder to apply for any type of employment and receive similar rights to Belgian citizens.
It is also valid for one year and can be extended under certain conditions.
MIE Institute offers free job placement services
The MIE Institute offers job placement opportunities in Belgium, assisting applicants in finding employment in high-demand job sectors, as listed below, at no cost. Applicants can benefit from this service to secure employment, enjoy the benefits and accommodations in Belgium, and earn between 1,000 and 3,000 euros per month.
The job placement services are entirely free of charge, and the fee for the job placement service will be deducted from the applicant’s first salary. However, a non-refundable fee of 99 euros is required for the evaluation of the individual’s documents.
If you choose to proceed with migration or job placement through other methods with the MIE Institute, this amount will be credited to your case and subtracted from the total contract fee.
If you want to find a job in Belgium completely free of charge, you can contact the institute now for further details.
Here is the list of job positions that the MIE Institute offers free services for in Belgium:
- Ship repair manager
- Port management
- CNC machinist
- Port technician
- Port maintenance worker
- Metalworker
- Sewing machine repair technician
- Maintenance technician
For the job positions listed at the end of the table, only highly qualified resumes will be considered.
There is no age requirement for these jobs, and language proficiency is not necessary, but applicants must be familiar with English. Additionally, once the contract is finalized, a performance guarantee is required from the applicant by the institute. If the applicant performs well in Belgium, this guarantee will be refunded after six months.
Applicants must upload their resumes on the website, and if their qualifications and conditions meet the requirements, they will be contacted. Applicants must participate in an immigration webinar and course (9 sessions), with a fee of 990,000 Toman. If the applicant changes their mind, this amount will be refunded.
Residence in Belgium through Childbirth
Before explaining the conditions for immigration to Belgium and obtaining Belgian residence through birth, it is necessary to understand the general laws governing this matter. There are two main principles governing birth: the principle of soil and the principle of blood.
According to the principle of soil, a person born within the territory of a country automatically acquires the nationality of that country, while under the principle of blood, nationality is passed on only through the parents.
Most European countries, including Belgium, follow the principle of blood, and if a child is born in Belgium, they will only receive Belgian nationality if one or both parents are Belgian. Additionally, adopting a child under 18 years old by a Belgian family also provides the possibility of granting nationality to the child.
Immigration to Belgium through Marriage
One of the ways to immigrate to Belgium is through marriage to a person who holds Belgian citizenship. However, this does not immediately grant citizenship and nationality to the foreign spouse. To obtain Belgian citizenship through marriage, you must live together for a certain period of time in order to meet the conditions for acquiring citizenship.
According to Belgian law, both parties must be over 18 years old and unmarried at the time of marriage. Another requirement for marriage in Belgium is proving the financial ability of the spouse to support both their own life and that of their partner in Belgium.
Migration to Belgium through Asylum
By signing the Geneva Convention, Belgium has committed to providing necessary support to refugees who apply in this country. According to this convention, a refugee is someone who fears punishment in their own country due to religious beliefs, political views, membership in certain social groups, etc.
The cases of these individuals are reviewed multiple times, and if accepted, they can work and live in the country. Therefore, asylum is one of the ways to immigrate to Belgium. However, it should be noted that the Malekpour Immigration Institute does not recommend the asylum process in Belgium to migration applicants and does not provide services or consultations regarding this approach.
Frequently asked questions regarding immigration to Belgium
Which type of nationality transfer system allows obtaining citizenship through childbirth in Belgium?
Obtaining citizenship through childbirth in Belgium is based on the jus sanguinis (right of blood) system. This means that if the child is born to a father or mother who holds Belgian citizenship, the child will be granted Belgian citizenship.
Is it possible to obtain a job-seeking visa in Belgium?
No, in order to work in Belgium, you must either have a job offer or hold a residence permit, such as a student residence permit for Belgium.
Is it possible to work while studying in Belgium?
Yes, you can work part-time or on a half-time basis for up to 20 hours per week while studying in Belgium.
Is it possible to obtain residency in Belgium by purchasing property?
Yes, but please note that to obtain residency in Belgium through property purchase, you must spend between 350,000 to 500,000 euros.
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