Working as a foreign national

• Go to the foot of the page for the appropriate stipulations in the laws and orders dealing with the employment of foreign nationals. Always refer to the official regulations if in doubt.
• The Cellule Permis de Travail (work permits unit) of the Ministry of the Brussels-Capital Region (MRBC) is the official body responsible for the grant of work permits in the Region.
• The MRBC’s Direction de la Politique de l'Emploi et de l'Economie Plurielle (employment and mixed economy policy directorate) at CCN (Brussels-Nord station) is open to visitors Monday to Friday from 8.45 am to 11.45 am.
• To find out more about work permits in the Brussels-Capital region call +32 (0)2 204 13 99.

Exemptions

Nationals of a member state of the European Economic Space (the European Union plus Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein) and Switzerland do not require a work permit.

• Transitional regulations apply to nationals of new EU member states (Romania and Bulgaria).
• Several categories of foreign nationals are also exempt from the work permit obligation.

Type-C work permit

The type-C work permit is for specific categories of foreign nationals whose stay in Belgium is temporary (such as students) or whose right to stay in Belgium is still undecided (such as some asylum seekers).

The type-C work permit is available for all paid jobs and is valid for up to one year. This permit can be renewed in some circumstances.

Type-B work permits

The type-B work permit is granted for a specific job for a specific employer for a set period of up to twelve months. This permit can be renewed in some circumstances.

The employer must apply for an employment permit for the work it wishes to employ a foreign national to do before that person arrives in Belgium. An employment permit is issued together with a type-B work permit to the foreign national, who can then apply for a visa to enter Belgium.

Type-A work permit

Most foreign nationals will need a type-A work permit. This covers all (paid) work of any duration for any employer. It is only granted to foreign nationals employed for at least four years on the basis of a type-B work permit during an uninterrupted period of no more than ten years’ stay in Belgium.

In some cases the required period of work is reduced (based on the family situation, for example). Some categories of workers employed on the basis of a type-B work permit (such as highly qualified staff and trainees) cannot apply for a type-A work permit.

Checks by the regional labour inspectorate

The Inspection régionale de l'Emploi (regional labour inspectorate) is responsible for checking compliance with the laws and regulations governing the employment of foreign nationals.

• It conducts investigations prior to the issuance of work permits.
• It makes unannounced visits to workplaces to check that any workers that need to have a work permit do actually have one.
• It informs workers and employers of their rights and duties and ensures that laws and regulations are observed.