Belgium — Residency: Work Visa

Key facts

• Employees: the employer files for a single permit (work and residence permit) with the Region where the job is located (Flanders, Wallonia or Brussels-Capital); once approved the D visa follows.
• Self-employed: you need a professional card requested in the Region where you will work, approved before the embassy issues the D visa; the visa and card applications can be filed together.
• Embassy guidance lists processing of about three weeks for private employees and three months for self-employed D-visa applications, and suggests filing the professional card at least four months before departure.
• From 1 July 2026 the long-stay visa handling fee is EUR 250 at the Seoul mission (445,000 KRW); fees vary by mission.
• The EU Blue Card route and the regional salary thresholds were not confirmed in these sources.

Steps

1. Step 1: Employer Obtains Work Permit — The employer must apply for a work permit from the local Labour Administration (A Authorisation for the Employment of Foreigners). If approved, the employer must then apply for a residence visa for the employee.
2. Step 2: Employee Applies for Residence Visa — The employee must apply for a residence visa at the Belgian embassy or consulate in their home country, or at a Belgian border crossing. The application must be accompanied by various documents, including a valid passport, a copy of the work permit, and proof of health insurance.
3. Step 3: Residence Permit Issuance — Once the residence visa is approved, the employee must register with the local municipality and apply for a residence permit within 8 days. The residence permit is usually valid for 1 year and must be renewed annually.

Timelines

• D visa, private employee: about 3 weeks
• D visa, self-employed: about 3 months