Are you interested in moving to Belgium from Canada? Your relocation process starts with applying for the right type of visa with the Consulate General in Montreal. Belgium is a country that is home to many important European Union institutions as well as a large number of international companies and organizations. Canadian citizens can find various employment or business opportunities in Belgium, and the relocation can be a smooth process, especially for francophone Canadians.
Having the right help from a Belgium immigration lawyer can be important during and even after the relocation process. While the general accommodation period may be swift for some Canadians who already speak French, it is important to note the cultural differences between Europe and Canada. If you wish to immigrate to Belgium from Canada, you should know that Belgium is a highly multicultural country, however, you should be mindful of the differences that exist in the three distinct areas in the country as well as the socio-political differences between these regions.
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Broadly speaking, the types of visas that are available to foreign nationals willing to travel to Belgium can be long or short-term. Canadians who wish to stay in the country for more than 90 days will need to apply for this visa and it is useful to note that the long-term visa (the D or C type) is not the same as the Schengen visa.
The visas one can apply for when moving to Belgium from Canada are the following:
We remind you that the work visa is to be applied for only when the single permit is granted. Applicants should note that the single permit is required in this case and that this document is used as an attestation that the individual is allowed to stay more than 90 days in Belgium for work purposes. The residence permit that is issued in this case will also include a statement regarding the holder’s access to the labor market. Our Belgium immigration lawyers can provide you with more details.
Foreign nationals who wish to immigrate to Belgium from Canada need to follow a number of key steps and we recommend starting the process as soon as possible as the processing time may differ according to the purpose of the long-term stay. Preparing the application and gathering all of the needed documents may take more time than initially planned especially since some of the documents need to be issued separately by the Canadian authorities. This is why we suggest reaching out to our agents in order to determine the exact steps according to your particular case.
Below, our Belgium immigration agents list the most important issues to take into consideration after you have decided to apply for a long-term visa and immigrate to Belgium from Canada:
Visa-D applications and applications for residence are subject to a contribution fee, however, an exemption applies in some cases or for some categories of applicants, such as for foreigners under 18 years of age or recognized stateless persons who have lost their nationality against their will and cannot obtain legal and permanent residence in another State.
The contribution fee is subject to change yearly as it is adjusted according to the consumer price index in Belgium. Our Belgian immigration lawyer lists some of these fees below:
If you want to relocate to Belgium from Canada, our team can give you more information about these fees and their payment.
Please be aware that the payment of these fees is mandatory and that these can be subject to change. All applications include fee payments, whether they are contribution fees or administrative fees. Talking to our Belgian immigration specialists can be helpful for understanding the terms for the mandatory visa or residence permit payments, as these are non-refundable.
Remaining in the country indefinitely also means applying for permanent residence in Belgium, according to the purpose of the stay.
The right of permanent residence in Belgium is acquired by a Canadian national who:
In addition to proving their uninterrupted residence in the country and their economic contribution, those who move to Belgium from Canada and apply for a permanent residence permit will also submit their passport copy and their recent photographs to the municipal counter in the areas where they live in.
Foreign entrepreneurs from Canada who are ready to open a company or make another type of investment can ask our team if they require details about Belgium residency by investment.
Canadians who wish to acquire Belgian citizenship can do so based on the number of years they have spent in the country. In most cases, the minimum number of uninterrupted years before applying is five years; however, the period can be shorter (only three years) if the Canadian is married to a Belgian national, is the parent of a Belgian minor child, or is the adopter of such a child.
Canadian citizens can receive a personalized guide on how to apply for a Belgian residence permit from our team. When examining the steps required in your case, we will take into account the length of your stay and the purpose of your relocation (employment, investment, or others), as well as your relationship status (married, with or without children). We also assist foreign nationals of other nationalities.
If you would like to know more about the immigration process, please contact our Belgium immigration lawyer for more information on how to immigrate to Belgium from Canada.
