whereTOemigrate
Get your free results
BE country scene

Working Holiday Programme

BelgiumYouth mobility

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

Official link

Get your free results Read the five questions ↓

Which nationalities and age range can participate?

Belgium lists Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Taiwan and the Republic of Korea as Working Holiday Programme partners. The general age condition is 18 to 30 when applying. The Immigration Office says the agreements' conditions are practically identical, but advises applicants to read the specific agreement.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The page describes the conditions as practically, not absolutely, identical across agreements; any agreement-specific variation should be checked in that country's agreement.
  • Section: Working Holiday Programme
    Australia (Belgian Official Gazette 06/09/2004 – Entry into force 01/11/2004); New Zealand (Belgian Official Gazette 06/09/2004 – Entry into force 01/11/2004); Canada (Belgian Official Gazette 07/12/2006 – Entry into force 01/01/2007); Taiwan (Belgian Official Gazette 07.03.2013 – Entry into force 29/03/2013); the Republic of Korea (Belgian Official Gazette 08/06/2016 – Entry into force 01/07/2016).
  • Section: Conditions
    The conditions imposed on a participant are practically identical, regardless of the agreement. In general, the following conditions are involved:
  • Section: Conditions
    being between 18 and 30 years old when the application is submitted;

What combination of travel, work, study or training does the programme permit?

The stay must remain primarily a holiday. Work is allowed only to supplement the participant's available funds, and the relevant agreement restricts the duration of employment, training or study. The official source does not give the agreement-specific limits or set out the permitted combination in more detail. Participants are exempt from a Belgian work permit for paid activity, but Belgian rules on working and remuneration conditions, safety, hygiene and social security still apply.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The page does not state agreement-specific work, training or study duration limits or explain their detailed combination; it directs applicants to the relevant agreement.
  • Section: Work
    The holiday should remain the participant's main goal. Work may only be done to supplement the financial resources available to the participant.
  • Section: Work
    Indeed, the agreements provide restrictions on the duration of an employment, training or study programme.
  • Section: Work
    The participant is exempt from the obligation to obtain a work permit in order to engage in a lucrative activity in Belgium.
  • Section: Work
    Conversely, the provisions in force regarding working and remuneration conditions, safety and hygiene do apply. Participants and their employers must also comply with applicable social security provisions.

What are the defining limitations: quota, ballot, previous participation, employer limits, study limits or equivalent?

Applicants must not have previously benefited from the Belgian regime. Each agreement restricts the duration of employment, training or study, but the official source does not specify a quota, ballot, employer limit or numerical programme limit.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • No quota, ballot or agreement-specific numerical work, training or study limits are stated on this page; check the relevant bilateral agreement and competent Belgian post.
  • Section: Conditions
    not having previously been a beneficiary of this regime;
  • Section: Working Holiday Programme
    Australia (Belgian Official Gazette 06/09/2004 – Entry into force 01/11/2004); New Zealand (Belgian Official Gazette 06/09/2004 – Entry into force 01/11/2004); Canada (Belgian Official Gazette 07/12/2006 – Entry into force 01/01/2007); Taiwan (Belgian Official Gazette 07.03.2013 – Entry into force 29/03/2013); the Republic of Korea (Belgian Official Gazette 08/06/2016 – Entry into force 01/07/2016).
  • Section: Work
    Indeed, the agreements provide restrictions on the duration of an employment, training or study programme.

What funds, insurance, onward travel or similar preparation is particularly important?

Applicants need a return ticket or enough funds to buy one, sufficient resources for the stay, and at least €2,500 to cover needs during the first part of the stay or its duration. The Immigration Office gives cash and a credit card valid for at least one year as examples of how funds may be held. The page also lists a valid passport, insurance, a medical certificate, a criminal-record certificate, and proof that the visa fee has been paid. Some municipalities may require legalised birth and unmarried-status certificates, so the Immigration Office recommends travelling with them.

See recorded sources
  • Section: Conditions
    being in possession of a return ticket or having sufficient funds to purchase such a ticket;
  • Section: Conditions
    having sufficient financial resources to meet their needs during the stay;
  • Section: Financial resources
    Belgium requires that a participant have at least 2,500 euros (€), to cover their needs during the first part of their stay, or for the duration of their stay (for example, cash, a credit card still valid for at least one year, etc.).
  • Section: Conditions
    holding a valid passport;
  • Section: Conditions
    have taken out an insurance policy;
  • Section: Conditions
    submitting a medical certificate proving that they do not suffer from any of the diseases that may endanger public health;
  • Section: Conditions
    submitting a certificate showing the absence of convictions for crimes or malpractices in common law;
  • Section: Visa application
    The participant must also submit proof of the full payment of the fee and the documents proving that they meet the conditions set out in the agreement.
  • Section: Useful information
    some municipalities will require a legalised birth certificate and a legalised certificate of unmarried status. It is therefore recommended to travel with these documents.

How long can the person stay, can the programme be extended or repeated, and what happens when it ends?

After arrival, participants must report to their municipality within eight days to register and obtain a residence permit. The stay authorisation lasts 12 months, cannot be renewed, and does not allow a change of status during the stay. The official source does not specify what procedure applies after the authorisation expires.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The page does not state the required departure or post-expiry procedure.
  • Section: Visa application
    national long-stay visa (more than 90 days).
  • Section: Visa application
    at the Belgian diplomatic or consular post competent for the place where they habitually reside abroad.
  • Section: Stay
    must present themselves to the municipal administration of their place of residence within eight days of their entry into Belgium
  • Section: Stay
    the issuance of a residence permit
  • Section: Stay
    The authorisation to stay is valid for 12 months and cannot be renewed.
  • Section: Stay
    A change of status during the stay will not be accepted.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

Explore more pathways in Belgium · All pathways

Your story.
Your next step.

Get your free results