Switching to a
work visa
Moving from studying to working in Belgium means changing your residence status, not just starting a new job. It can feel like extra paperwork on top of everything else, but your employer and the Immigration Office handle much of the process together.
This page explains how the switch works, what your employer needs to do, and where to find the details of each permit type.
Overview
Which permit you switch to depends mainly on your qualification level and the job you have found, whether you are switching straight from your studies or during your orientation year. The main thing to watch throughout is timing, since you need to avoid a gap between your current permit and your new one.
How the switch works
Once you find a job, your employer generally applies for a work permit on your behalf. Most graduates move onto the Single Permit, which combines your work and residence rights into one procedure. If your role is highly skilled and meets the salary threshold, you may qualify for the EU Blue Card instead.
What your employer needs to do
- Submit the Single Permit or EU Blue Card application on your behalf, ideally well before your current permit expires
- Provide your employment contract and salary details as part of the application
- Wait for approval from the relevant regional authority before you start working under the new permit
Timing and gaps in your permit
The biggest risk in this process is a gap between permits - if your student or orientation year permit expires before your work permit is approved, your legal residence status is affected. Ask your employer to start the application as early as possible, and follow up regularly so you know where things stand.
Where to go next
For the full details of the Single Permit and EU Blue Card, including who qualifies and what employers need to submit, see our Work permits & visas page. For general residence and visa rules in Belgium, see Visa types page
Good to know: keep a copy of every residence permit you hold, including ones that have expired. When you apply for a new permit or register a change of address, being able to show your full permit history can help avoid delays.
Sources
- Immigration Office (Dienst Vreemdelingenzaken)
- Registration and migration
- VDAB - working as a newcomer
( +18 y.o )
