Belgium Work Visa from India
Belgium issues a single permit, which combines the right to work and to reside for stays over 90 days. Your employer applies, and the application is decided by the region where you will work: Flanders, Brussels or Wallonia. Each region sets its own rules and salary thresholds, so the same job can qualify in one region and not in another.
The main categories
| Category | For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Highly skilled worker | Holders of a higher education degree earning above the region’s threshold | No labour market test. The most common route for Indian professionals |
| EU Blue Card | Graduates with a higher salary | Better mobility within the EU |
| Shortage occupations | Listed medium-skilled occupations, mainly in Flanders | No labour market test for listed roles |
| Other workers | Everything else | A labour market test, rarely passed |
What to know
- Thresholds are revised each January and differ by region. Flanders has lower thresholds for people under 30 and for nurses.
- Processing usually takes two to four months.
- IT, engineering, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and European institutions’ suppliers are the main employers. English is widely used in Brussels and in technology. Dutch or French matters elsewhere.
- Your family can join you. After five years you can apply for long-term residence.
Questions people ask us most
Do I need a degree?
For the highly skilled route, yes.
Can I change employers?
Yes, with a new single permit application by the new employer.
Want advice for your profile?
Tell us your occupation, age and target country. A specialist checks your options before you spend anything.