What approval/application sequence applies, how long is the status granted, how is it renewed, and what longer-term residence direction is officially stated?
The route has two linked steps: obtain the Region's decision granting the professional card and, for a stay over 90 days, generally apply for a type D national visa at the Belgian embassy or consulate responsible for the applicant's residence. The visa file listed here includes the regional decision, a medical certificate, a criminal-record extract less than six months old, and proof of the contribution fee if payable. After arrival, D-visa holders collect the professional card at the company counter named in the application. Card validity and renewal are set out by regional administrations, not this page.
See recorded sources
Limits of the record- This page does not give the regional decision deadline, card validity period, renewal conditions, permanent-residence progression, or the contribution amount.
- Authorisation to stay — supporting documents
the decision of the Region to grant the professional card;
- Authorisation to stay — over 90 days
Third-country nationals wishing to work as self-employed in Belgium for more than 90 days must also be authorized to stay for more than 90 days.
- Authorisation to stay — long-stay visa
As a general rule, they must apply for a D
- Authorisation to stay — responsible post
(national long-stay visa) at the Belgian embassy or consulate general responsible for their residence and present the following documents:
- Authorisation to stay — supporting documents
proof of payment of the contribution fee, if subject to this obligation;
- Authorisation to stay — supporting documents
a medical certificate attesting that they do not suffer from any of the illnesses listed in the appendix to the law of December 15, 1980;
- Authorisation to stay — supporting documents
an extract from the criminal record or equivalent document, issued by the country of origin or last residence, less than 6 months old, certifying that they have not been convicted of any ordinary crimes or offences.
- Company counter — arrival
Upon arrival in Belgium, D visa holders must go to the company counter indicated on the business card application form to collect their business card.
- Professional card — regional administration reference
Information on the conditions for obtaining a professional card, cases of exemption, submitting and examining the application, the business counter, formalities to be completed before being able to exercise the activity, the card's period of validity, renewal conditions, etc. is published on the websites of the regional administrations.
