L card application in Antwerp

Member since 25 February 2026

Valoche328New member25 February 2026 10:20:22

Hello everyone,

I applied for permanent residency (L card) and received Annex 16 + 16bis on 28 October 2025. The Antwerp city hall scheduled an appointment for 28 March 2026 to inform me of the Immigration Office’s decision.

However, when I contacted the Immigration Office today to check the status of my file, I was told that since I currently hold a valid Single Permit A card (valid until 2028), they will not review my L card application at this time. Due to staff shortages, they said they cannot process two files for the same person simultaneously. According to them, my upcoming appointment with the city hall is therefore unnecessary, and my L card application will only be reviewed once my current card has expired.

I explained that, to my understanding, I have the right to apply for permanent residency if I meet all the legal requirements. However, the officer stated that it is not an automatic right and that they will not proceed with the review while my current permit remains valid.

Has anyone experienced a similar situation? Since my employment contract may end before my March appointment, I am concerned about whether I will be able to stay in Belgium long enough to receive a decision.

Any advice or shared experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance!

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brla15 Active member

Member since 04 April 2024

brla15Active member25 February 2026 13:24:59

the response on the part of the immigration is rude. anyway, you still go to municipality since no decision still entitles you an L card.

Psarkar21 Member

Member since 19 July 2019

Psarkar21Member25 February 2026 15:52:36

Hello everyone,I applied for permanent residency (L card) and received Annex 16 + 16bis on 28 October 2025. The Antwerp city hall scheduled an appointment for 28 March 2026 to inform me of the Immigration Office’s - @Valoche328

In my case there was no reply from IBZ, hence Antwerp municipality issued it after waiting time is over.

Josefine23 New member

Member since 13 September 2023

Josefine23New memberYesterday 07:57:01

@Valoche328

How did you contact the Loket migratie? By email?

What they are saying makes no sense.

Valoche328 New member

Member since 25 February 2026

Valoche328New memberYesterday 09:07:12

@Josefine23

I contacted IBZ (Immigration Office) and Loket migratie both by phone and email.

Valoche328 New member

Member since 25 February 2026

Valoche328New memberYesterday 09:10:28

@Psarkar21

Loket migratie from Antwerp said they will deliver the L card if there is no decision yet after 5 months of waiting. But the immigration office can revoke the L card if the immigration office gives a rejection after 5 months. So it is also not very secured.

@Tomkar Member

Member since 18 September 2025

@TomkarMemberYesterday 10:00:46

@Valoche328 this is not true at all. After 5 months of waiting, if there is no answer, city hall needs to give you the L card. After the 5 months, no refusal decision from IBZ is valid. Their refusal decision needs to be made before the 5 months. If they refuse it after 5 months, ask the commune the decision letter of IBZ, or internal decision, and look at the date, if the date is after the 5 months, then they can’t revoke the L card. It already happened to my friend. He waited for 5 months, then got the L card, and went to order the card at the commune. When he went back to take the card, commune told him that they received a refusal decision, but they can’t consider it as the 5 months was already passed. Law is law !