Graduate visa
In many countries, your residence status ends the moment you finish studying. Belgium works differently: international students who graduate here can apply for extra time to stay and look for work.
This page explains what this graduate visa covers, who is eligible, and how it connects to your next steps.
Overview
The graduate visa is a bridge between finishing your studies and starting your career in Belgium. Whether you can use it, and for how long, depends on your diploma level, your nationality, and whether you plan to look for a job or start a business.
What the graduate visa is
Belgium's graduate visa - officially known as the orientation year (oriënteringsjaar) - lets non-EU students who graduate from a recognised Belgian institution stay on for a set period to look for a job or set up a business. During this period, you do not need a separate work permit to look for work, which makes it easier to focus on job hunting rather than paperwork.
Who is eligible
- You hold a nationality outside the EU, EEA or Switzerland - EU, EEA and Swiss citizens do not need this, since they can already live and work freely in Belgium
- You graduated with a professional bachelor's, academic bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree from a recognised Belgian institution
- You held a valid student residence permit at the time you graduated
- You apply within the required time window after your diploma is issued, and can show you have enough means to support yourself during the search period
Application windows and financial requirements can change, so check the current rules on the Immigration Office website before you apply.
How to apply
You apply for the orientation year through your local municipality (gemeente) or the Immigration Office, depending on where you are at the time. You will generally need:
- Diploma or proof of graduation
- Current residence permit
- Proof that you have enough means to support yourself during the search period
Since the exact document list and any fees can vary, check with your municipality or the Immigration Office when you are ready to apply.
What happens next
If you find a job or start a business during your orientation year, you will need to switch to a residence permit linked to work, such as the Single Permit. Our Switching to a work visa page walks you through that step, and our Formalities category covers general visa and residence rules in more depth.
Good to know: start job hunting as early as possible during your orientation year. Employers often need several weeks to prepare a work permit application on your behalf, so leaving it until the end of your search period can put you under unnecessary time pressure.
Sources
- Immigration Office (Dienst Vreemdelingenzaken)
- Registration and migration
