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European Blue Card

BelgiumWork

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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What type of worker, employment situation, occupation or professional activity is this pathway actually designed for?

With a European Blue Card a highly qualified foreigner can work and stay in Flanders for at least 6 months under certain conditions; a Blue Card is not the same as a single permit.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The citation names the highly qualified profile and a six-month minimum but no occupation or sector.
  • chars 475-655
    With a European Blue Card, highly qualified foreigners can work and stay in Flanders for at least 6 months under certain conditions. A Blue Card is not the same as a single permit.

Does the applicant need a job offer, employer, sponsor, transfer relationship or other employer involvement? What is important about that employer relationship?

Employer-led: the employer applies for the single permit of fixed duration for the future employee and chooses the European Blue Card category.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The citation does not say whether a signed job offer must precede the application, nor what happens if the employer withdraws.
  • chars 4001-4149
    As an employer, you apply for the single permit of fixed duration for your future employee, and under category, you choose the European Blue Card.

What are the few decisive professional characteristics of the pathway: occupation, qualifications, experience, salary, skill level, shortage status, labour-market condition or equivalent?

The route requires a higher-education diploma from an institution recognised by the state where it is located, showing completed higher education at minimum Flemish qualification level 6 from studies of at least 3 years; management and ICT specialists are exempt from the diploma but must show 3 years of relevant professional experience within the 7 years before the application. The contract must state a gross annual salary of at least 130% of the average gross annual salary (currently €63,586), last at least six months or be indefinite, and be with a Belgian employer only (no posting).

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The page writes 'currently this is €63 586' without a reference year, so the date of vigency of the threshold is not stated in the capture.
  • The capture does not state the average gross annual salary from which the 130% is calculated.
  • chars 5554-6561
    Employee’s diploma Awarded by a higher education institution, locally recognised by the local government Showing that the employee has completed post-secondary programme higher education - minimum VKS (Flemish Qualification Structure) 6: They attended classes for that purpose at an educational institute recognised as a higher education institution by the state where it is located. Their studies for that diploma lasted at least 3 years. Management and information and communication technology specialists are not subject to the diploma requirement. However, they must then demonstrate 3 years of relevant professional experience within the 7 years prior to application; Additional requirements for the employment contract indicating a gross annual salary of at least 130% of the average gross annual salary (currently this is €63 586 ). the duration of the employment contract is at least six months (if fixed duration) or of indefinite duration only with a Belgian employer (no posting possible)

What work does the permission allow? Is the holder tied to an employer, occupation or sector? Can family accompany where clearly established?

During the first 12 months a change of employer needs no new work permit, only written notification to the Economic Migration Department, and the employment may start after its approval within 30 days; after 12 months the European Blue Card is valid for any employer whose employment meets the Blue Card conditions, with no notification required. The official source does not state whether family members may accompany the holder.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The citation covers change of employer only; the page states nothing about family accompanying the holder.
  • No occupation or sector tie is stated.
  • chars 10451-10963
    during the first 12 months a new work permit is not necessary. Notifying the Economic Migration Department in writing is sufficient, you can use this document for this purpose (PDF version / Word version). The employment can only be started after approval of the change by the Economic Migration Department (within 30 days) after 12 months, the European Blue Card issued is valid for any employer, provided the employment meets the conditions of Article 21. No notification of a change of employer is required;

How long is the permission normally granted for, how is it renewed, and what longer-term residence direction exists if officially stated?

After 24 months, at the renewal application, a 3-year European Blue Card is issued, valid for any employer and for employment under the European Blue Card. The official source does not state the validity of the first card or a longer-term residence direction.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The page does not state the validity period of the first Blue Card; it only requires the employment contract to last at least six months or be of indefinite duration.
  • A renewal file must be submitted at least 2 months and at most 4 months before the expiry date, via the one-stop shop.
  • Flemish Region page only; it does not speak for the Brussels-Capital Region, Wallonia or the German-speaking Community, which issue their own work authorisations.
  • chars 10964-11122
    after 24 months (= renewal application), a 3-year European Blue Card is issued, valid for any employer and valid for employment under the European Blue Card.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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