Are you a non-European citizen looking to engage in seasonal activities in Belgium? If so, this post is for you. Let’s explore the process of obtaining a seasonal work permit in Belgium for 2024. In Europe, the “seasonal worker visa” is one of the most common and popular visas for citizens of third countries. Many European countries such as Italy, Portugal, France, Spain, and the Netherlands offer seasonal work permits. Belgium is one of the countries that provide seasonal work permits.
The Individual Permit: Your Gateway to Seasonal Work
To work as a seasonal worker in Belgium, your employer must first obtain an “individual permit.” The individual permit is a combination of a work permit and a residence permit. Under the seasonal work permit in Belgium, you can stay for up to 5 months within a period of 365 days. You can also apply for renewal before your work permit expires.
Details about Seasonal Work Permit in Belgium 2023 (Seasonal Worker)
- Country: Belgium
- Type of Work Permit: Individual Permit, Seasonal Work Permit
- Type of Visa: Type D Visa
- Permitted Sectors for Seasonal Work:
- Agricultural Sector
- Horticulture Sector
- Restaurant Sector
Areas for Seasonal Work in Belgium
Seasonal workers can find employment in the following areas in Belgium:
- Agricultural Sector (in any region)
- Horticulture Sector (only in Flanders and Wallonia)
- Restaurant Sector (only in Flanders, Wallonia, and the German-speaking community)
Countries That Have Obtained Seasonal Work Permits in Belgium
Belgium has granted seasonal work permits to citizens of various countries, including India, Ghana, Nepal, Bangladesh, Kosovo, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Bulgaria, Poland, and Romania.
Salary for Seasonal Workers in Belgium
In 2020, the minimum wage in Belgium was €1,593 per month. the agricultural sector, the minimum hourly wage in 2020, including seasonal workers, was €9.45. In the horticulture sector, the minimum hourly wage in 2020 ranged from €9.26 to €11.33, depending on the sub-sector. For the hospitality sector in 2020, the minimum hourly wage for seasonal workers with one year of seniority ranged from €12.1504 to €18.0369.
Validity of the Belgian Seasonal Work Permit
With the Belgian seasonal work permit, you can stay in Belgium as a seasonal worker for up to 150 days within a 365-day period.
Renewal of the Seasonal Work Permit
To renew your seasonal work permit, you must apply to the regional authority at least one month before the expiration of your current work permit.
What You Need to Obtain a Seasonal Work Visa in Belgium
To obtain a seasonal work visa in Belgium, you need the following:
- A job offer from a Belgian employer
- Approval for an individual permit (from Belgium) – a combination of work and residence permits
- Long-stay visa D for travel to Belgium
- Processing Time
- The processing of your seasonal work permit, along with the visa application for the Belgian seasonal worker visa, may take up to 90 days.
- Cost of the Seasonal Work Visa in Belgium
- The cost of the seasonal work permit in Belgium is €180. This fee is paid by the employer when applying for the visa at the Belgian immigration office.
The Process of Obtaining a Seasonal Work Permit in Belgium
Step 1: Obtain an Individual Permit
Your Belgian employer will apply for an “individual permit” for you to reside and work in the region where you will be working, such as Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels-Capital Region, or the German-speaking community. You will receive a decision to grant an individual permit (Annex 46) from the immigration office and a certificate granting the individual permit (Annex 47) from the immigration office.
Step 2: Type D Visa
The Type D visa allows for long-term residence and staying in Belgium for more than 90 days. Initially, this visa permits a stay of one year. To obtain a Belgian Type D visa, you need to submit the application for the individual permit and your passport to the Belgian embassy or VFS in your country. Your fingerprints and digital photograph will be taken, and you can check the status of your visa online.
Step 3: Obtain a Residence Permit Card
Upon your arrival in Belgium, you are required to register with the municipality of your place of residence within 8 working days. The municipality issues a single permit card (Card A) for a limited period.
Documents Required from Your Belgian Employer
Your Belgian employer will need to provide the following documents to obtain a work and residence permit for you:
- Complete application for the work permit.
- Employment records.
- Identification document of your employer.
- Employment contract.
- International passport.
- Proof of sufficient means of subsistence (if required).
- Clean criminal record.
- Proof of health insurance.
- Proof of adequate housing.
For more information, you can visit the official websites:
- Belgium’s Official Seasonal Worker Visa Page
- European Union Seasonal Workers Portal
- Belgium Immigration for Seasonal Workers
More EU Countries Seasonal Work Visas:
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