Intra-corporate
transfer permit
Non-EU nationals who are temporarily assigned to a Belgian branch of their employer are called "intra-corporate transferees".
What are the conditions, work rights, and legal framework of this specific work permit?
International House West Flanders is here to provide you with some basic but helpful guidelines!
Who Can Apply?
The ICT permit is for non-EU nationals who are transferred to Belgium within the same company or corporate group. It applies to assignments of at least 90 days.
Conditions of the employee:
- Must be a non-EU citizen
- Must fall under one of the following roles: Manager, Specialist, Trainee
- Must have worked at least 3 months for the employer abraod before transfer
See Categories
If you are a manager...
A manager transferred within the same company across countries does not have to present a diploma.
However, they must demonstrate that they perform a managerial function who is responsible for the management of the company and supervises the work of subordinate employees.
If you are a specialist...
A specialist transferred within the same company must present at least a level 5 diploma recognized in Flanders or relevant professional experiences.
If you are an intern...
An intern transferred within a company must have at lease a university degree or a bachelor's degree (recognized in Flanders).
Who Does Not Need to Apply?
- Short-Term Mobility: Certain categories of workers in case of employment for no more than 90 days
- Meeting Participant: Persons participating in a restricted meeting in Belgium for a maximum of 60 days per calendar year and no more than 20 consecutive calendar days per meeting
- Foreign Traineeship: Foreign employee receiving training at a Belgian headquarter of a group of companies which should not exceed 3 months (with a Limosa Declaration)
For more exemption and detailed information, visit Foreigners for whom you do not need to apply for a work permit.
How to Apply?
There are two types of ICT (intra-corporate transferee for long-term mobility) situations:
- Employment with posting from the initial foreign company in a third country (outside of EU) to the Flemish branch of the multinational group
- Employment with further posting from an EU branch to the Flemish branch of the multinational group
In both cases, the companies from the third country, EU, and Flanders should belong to the same enterprise or multinational group of companies.
Some documents are required specifically for the second scenario:
- ICT permit from the other EU Member State and the multinational group
- Salary criteria
Meanwhile, diploma requirement qnd seniority no longer need to be demonstrated as the initial requirements from the other EU Member State should correspond to the ones of Belgium.
One-Stop Shop Application
After you have submitted the complete application through the one-stop shop, your application will be forwarded directly to the competent region - Brussels-Capital, Walloon, German-Speaking Community.
It is not possible to email extra documents after submission. Modifications must be done via the "stop" button on the one-stop shop.
Documents Needed
General Documents
- Identity Document (international passport, Belgian residence permit)
- Proof of Administrative Costs/Contribution Fee
- Extract from the criminal register (*The original file needs to be legalized and translated.)
- Medical Certificate showing that the individual is not suffering from a disease which could be posed as threat to public health
- Proof of Local Health Insurance or Declaration of Commitment
All above documents must not exceed the valid period of 6 months old by the time of submission.
Employment Contract
Requirements:
- Must be signed and dated by both parties
- Must be drawn up in the language of the region of the employer's establishment
- Must indicate a gross annual salary of at least €45 096 for a specialist/trainee and €72 154 for a managerial function with prior seniority of at least 3 months of continuous employment with the foreign employer
More Information
Duration of ICT Permit
Maximum period of 3 years for managers/specialists and 1 year for trainee employees.
If the maximum duration of the work permit has been reached, a new application can only be submitted after an interval of 3 months.
Income
- It may not be less favorable than that of comparable positions according to the laws, agreements, and practices during the entire period.
- The presumed salary criterion is €78 259 for managers and €48 912 for specialists and trainees. (updated in 2025)
*Please note that this amount can vary depending on what is agreed upon between the employer and employee based on specific sector, position, or situation.
Change of Employer
First 12 Months:
The new employer must provide an employment contract for a highly skilled position with a gross annual salary of at least 130% of the average (€60621,60 in 2025).
The new employer notifies the Economic Migration Department about the change of employer. The employment can only start after after confirmation by the Economic Migration Department.
After 12 months:
With the Blue Card issued since the beginning, the individual can find a new position with a new employer without notification to the Economic Migration Department as long as the contract meets the requirements of Article 21.
After 24 months:
Once the Blue Card is renewed by then, it is valid for any employer under the contract that complies with the conditions of the Blue Card.