Administrative change for family reunion with EU (F card)

AlexFromBelgium Animateur Belgique EN/FR

Member since 28 January 2018

AlexFromBelgiumAnimateur Belgique EN/FR10 June 2023 12:40:55

1739

Prior to the 22th of May 2023, the foreigner's office had 6 months to reach a decision on applications for family reunification with an EU.

Without any answer from their part, the F card would be automatically granted by the commune (article 52, § 4, paragraph 2, of the Royal Decree of October 8, 1981 on access to the territory, residence, settlement and removal of foreigners)

But this not the case anymore!

As of the 22th May 2023, the commune will no longer automatically grant your F card, if no decision is taken by the foreigner's office within the 6-month period!

The foreigner's office MUST give their approval and verify if all the conditions are met (salary, mutual insurance, insurances, ...).

==> Court of Justice of the European Union (Diallo ruling of the 27th June, 2018 (C-246/17), as well as the recent case law of the Conseil d'État (ruling no. 255.275 of the 15th December 15, 2022)

In resume, you'll go 6 months after the annex 19ter like usually, to know if the decision has been taken by the foreigner's office or if you need to extend your Orange card!

See also

Obtaining a work permit in Belgium - Guide
Family reunion Belgium - 16 Replies
change F card to work ID - 13 Replies
Family Reunion visa - 17 Replies
Family Reunion Visa - 10 Replies
F card - address change - 10 Replies
Family Reunion for Parents - 2 Replies

ARMaliq Contributor

Member since 09 November 2021

ARMaliqContributor10 June 2023 14:32:47

124

Is it also the case for other cards which obligates the immigration to take a decision between a given time i.e. L card? Because I have read some posts where the commune is asking to wait even if the timeline of 5 months and 1 day is already reached.

Clouderzzz Active member

Member since 05 January 2023

ClouderzzzActive member12 June 2023 11:02:40

@alexfrombelgium As far as I know there is no demand of insurance and salary for a family reunification with an EU citizen. Salary and insurance is a condition for reunification with Belgian and non-EU citizens. For a family reunification with an EU citizen, normally it is sufficent that the EU citizen has a job and is registered with the commune.

Thats not good news i have applied for a family reunificiation with an EU citizen and i have an orange card until end of july. Now i feel like my process will take a longer time than it supposed to be.

I have question : If i have applied before the administrative change, my file is till effected by that ?

AlexFromBelgium Animateur Belgique EN/FR

Member since 28 January 2018

AlexFromBelgiumAnimateur Belgique EN/FR12 June 2023 12:48:35

1739

There's indeed a slight difference in the documents to submit depending if the partner is Belgian or EU (non-Belgian). These conditions doesn't change

It's possible that you'll need to extend the validity of your orange card.

Immigration didn't state anything about the potential delay. We just know that as partner of an EU/Belgian, the request is considered as high priority on their side.

Yes, as the commune can't give the F card anymore without the approval of immigration (since the 22th May 2023)

Nuri E. Member

Member since 13 June 2023

Nuri E.Member13 June 2023 21:04:21

Hello! Thank you for the information. Could you kindly direct me to the official website where I can read about these recent updates? I have also applied for family reunification with an EU citizen, and I'm feeling a bit confused. Is it necessary to submit additional documentation, such as salary details and mutual insurance? Has anyone ever been contacted by the Immigration office to provide these documents? Also, I am curious to know what the longest waiting period is to obtain an F card. If anyone could share their experience, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you 🙏🏻