Just like other European country Belgium also offers several options for you as an international student if you wish to stay in the country after completing you studies. If you include in those who finish their study in Belgium and continue their stay or want to extend their visa or stay in Belgium then we have some options for you to consider. Let’s explore them one by one.
1. Post-Study Work Permit (Search Year Permit)
Type of Permit: when you complete your graduation from a recognized Belgian institution, you can apply for a “search year” residence permit (also known as the “professional card”) for up to 12 months. This permit allows you to stay in Belgium and search for a job in Belgium even you can do start up or business in this period and then apply for visa or permit on the bases of that.
Requirements: job search visa has two basic requirements e.g.
1. You must have completed higher education (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree) in Belgium.
2. You must Proof of sufficient fund in your account or any other financial mean that proof that you support yourself during this time period in Belgium.
After Finding a Job: If you find a job during this period, you can apply for a work permit or a combined permit (single permit) to continue you life in Belgium based on this work permit.
2. Residence Permit for Highly Qualified Workers (EU Blue Card)
Type of Permit: The EU Blue Card is another suitable option for you if you continue you stay in Belgium after completing your stay. Remember that this is not just ordinary visa this is designed for highly skilled workers from outside the EU.
Requirements: To qualify for EU Blue card in Belgium, you typically need to have a job offer with a salary above a certain threshold and your qualifications must match with this job.
You also need to have completed a higher education degree which is standard requirement.
Benefits of EU blue card: This card grants not just grant you residence in Belgium, but also certain mobility rights to you but within the EU countries only.
3. Self-Employment or Entrepreneur Visa
Type of Permit: If you want to start your own business after you study, you can apply for a self-employment visa in Belgium.
Requirements: these are the two key requirements for entrepreneur visa in Belgium
You need to demonstrate the viability of your business plan.
You have sufficient financial resources to implement this business plan
Important Note from us
The Approval of this business plan is based on factors such as the economic benefit of your business to Belgium.
4. Special Work Permits
The last but not least option for you as an international student to continue your stay in Belgium is to consider special work permit offers. This offers you specific work permits for you if you are a researchers, scientists etc.
Requirements: These permits may have different conditions depending on the specific job role and sector based on you research and interest. If the researches you conduct bring value to the institute or country itself then there will be more chances for you to get this special work permit.
These are the key option for you to continue your stay in Belgium after your studies. Each of these options has specific eligibility requirements that you can also check on official immigration website of Belgium.
Disclaimer: This blog is only for informational purpose. For exact information we encourge you to check the official source of Belgium immigration.
If you have any question you are welcome to write your questions in the comments box we will answer you as soon as possible.
