Obtaining a Belgian visa allows you to enter Belgium and the Schengen area, either for a short-term stay (maximum 90 days) or a long-term stay (more than 90 days).

Sometimes you have to legalise or apostille documents from your home country to use them for official applications here. Check out this page to understand the processes and check what's needed based on the country your document was issued in.

Are you staying in Belgium for a maximum of 90 days? Be sure to register your short-term stay with the Leuven town hall.

Staying more than 90 days in Belgium for study purposes? Be sure to register at the town hall when you arrive in Leuven.

If you are staying longer than 90 days in Belgium then you will need a residence permit. Learn how to obtain yours at the Leuven city hall (Stadskantoor)

Does your resident card expire soon? You can apply for an extension.

Get a heads up regarding residency renewal timings! Important for HRs with international employees and employees that need to renew their single permit in 2025.

This article is a starting point for anyone from outside the EEA wanting to work as an employee in Belgium, and Flanders more specifically (the rules are a bit different in other regions). Typically, you’ll need what’s called a “Single Permit” to live and work here.  

A professional card allows you to work as a self-employed (freelancing) international in Belgium. Learn more about the steps needed to obtain this card.

Graduating in Belgium? Learn how the Search Year (Orientation Year) works, who can apply, the timelines, the documents required, and how to transition to a job and a Single Permit.

Changing your address in Belgium? You are required to report your change of address to the municipality of your new residence within 8 days of moving.

If you have a motor vehicle in Belgium, you will need to obtain a Belgian license plate. Learn more about that process in this article.

If you plan to drive a motorized vehicle in Belgium, it is necessary to either register or exchange your non-Belgian licence before you can drive.

Only a couple of thousand votes determine the outcome of the elections in Leuven, so if all the internationals voted, it could have a decisive effect on who wins. Belgians are signed up automatically, but internationals have to actively register to vote.

When leaving Belgium permanently, you must deregister at the city hall to discontinue any administrative procedures that are linked to your place of residence in Belgium.