Type-C work permit

Who can apply for a type-C work permit?

The following categories of foreign nationals are eligible to apply for a type-C permit. As part of the application a number of documents must be submitted to the Ministry of the Brussels-Capital Region, if that is the Region in which the applicants live. Click the links below to download the appropriate application documents depending on your category. If you are unsure which ones you need, read the relevant legal stipulations (Royal Decree of 9 June 1999 (FR/NL)) or contact the Ministry of the Brussels-Capital Region’s Cellule Permis de travail (work permit unit).

1. Applicants for refugee status under certain conditions (Art. 17.1).
   Application documents "refugee" (PDF Format) (45K)
2. Foreign nationals holding subsidiary protection status for the period during which their stay is limited (Art. 17.1bis).
   Application documents "subsidiary protection" (PDF Format) (46K)
3. Foreign nationals holding a residence permit issued under measures to fight the trade in human beings (Art. 17.2).
   Application documents "victim of trade in human beings" (PDF Format) (44K)
4. Foreign nationals permitted to stay in Belgium for a limited period insofar as the applicable legislation provides for a stay of unlimited duration (Art. 17.3).
   
   • For example, foreign nationals permitted to stay temporarily in Belgium for medical reasons by virtue of Art. 9ter of the Act of 15 December 1980. Application documents "medical reasons" (PDF Format) (50K)
   • For example, the family members of a national of a non-European Economic Space member state who have been given the right to stay in Belgium by virtue of Art. 10 of the Act of 15 December 1980 (family reunification).
     • Application documents "family reunion" for spouse or registered partner (PDF Format) (47K)
     • Application documents "family reunion" for children (PDF Format) (46K)
5. Foreign nationals permitted to stay for humanitarian reasons, the extension of which permission is subject to their being employed (Art. 17.4). Application documents "stay subject to employment" (PDF Format) (45K)
6. The family members of a national of a non-EES member state (Art. 17.5) who has cited the benefit of a right to stay based on article 10 of the Act of 15 December 1980 (family reunification) during the period of investigation of recognition of the right to stay or during the period of investigation of an appeal having suspensory effect (Art. 17.5), insofar as the stay of a national of a non-EES member state giving right is not limited to the exercise of professional activities
   • Application documents for the spouse or registered partner of an EES-national (PDF Format) (47K)
   • Application documents for children of an EES-national (PDF Format) (46K)
7. Foreign students staying legally in Belgium and enrolled at an educational institution to follow a full-time course may work, on the basis of a type-C work permit, up to twenty hours a week outside of school holidays and provided the job is compatible with their studies (Art. 17.6)
   • Application documents "foreign student" (PDF Format) (46K)
   • School certificate "foreign student" to be filled in by the educational institution (PDF Format) (689K) (FR)
8. The spouse or registered partner of a national of a European Economic Space member state who has worked in Belgium for more than one year on the basis of an open-ended employment contract (Art. 17.7). Application documents "spouse of an EES-national" (PDF Format) (45K)
9. The spouse, registered partner or the dependent children (under 18) of a diplomatic or consular official or the spouse or registered partner of the holder of a special residence permit. Only nationals of certain countries with which Belgium has signed an accord (such as United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Croatia, Peru and Chile) (Art. 17.8). Application documents "spouse, registered partner or children of a diplomatic or consular" (PDF Format) (47K)
10. Foreign nationals staying in Belgium under temporary protection status (Art. 17.9). Application documents "temporary protection" (PDF Format) (46K)

How to apply for a type-C work permit

Foreign natives living in the Brussels-Capital Region must apply for a type-C work permit directly from the Ministry of the Brussels-Capital Region. Click the links below to download the document you need.

notes on accessibility of the documents to download

• Type-C work permit application form (PDF Format) (580K) (FR) to be filled out by the applicant
• Type-C work permit information sheet (PDF Format) (687K) (FR) to be filled out by the communal administration

The communal administration in the applicant’s place of residence is responsible for delivering the type-C work permit.

Any negative decision is always explained directly to the applicant. Applicants staying legally in Belgium may appeal this decision.

Applications to renew a type-C work permit must be filed no later than one month prior to its expiry date.