Residency renewal ( A card Unlimited work )

Hi everyone ,

I would like to hear from people who have submitted the residence renewal recently ( Card "A" unlimited work ), and how long it took to receive decision from office des etrangers ?

Thank you . - @Naouel cherif

Hi Chérif

There are several thread on this topic. User provide timelines there.

Thank you

Please

I am also interested in this one. The other threads are mostly for single permit or first application of the unlimited work permit (which can take 4+ months of time).

OP is specifically asking about the renewal of the residence permit (which has an unlimited work permit). My townhall, for example, says that you can apply at the earliest 60 days before the expire. Is that enough? As we all know, the immigration office is painfully slow and they legally have 90 days of time to answer. So it's possible that your card expires before receiving a result. Yes, there is always the fallback to annex 15, but you cannot travel abroad with that, so that's something to keep in consideration.

In the end, the topic is a bit more complicated than just a simple 'There are several thread on this topic. User provide timelines there' answer.

The commune should allow more days.

I got my residence permit first time for unlimited work permit. It took 90 days for residence part to be processed.

Work part was done in 5 days.

@Naouel cherif

Hi,

there are few timelines people have shared in other unlimited work permit related topics but to be given short answer, it varies from one application to another. My extension application took 3 weeks to be concluded. I heard some applications that have been in process for 2 months already.

@umutgulum

Yes I applied on the 6/02 and still no response..

and need to travel soon!

@umutgulum

And also in the past never took more than 6 weeks …

@Naouel cherif

I am also following this topic. I submitted in a Flanders city hall in Feb (as renewal request was only allowed 60 days before expiry). Reply from IBZ email is that their current wait time is 13 to 17 weeks. So in the meantime the current ID card has expired. The city hall issued an annex 50. Not a good situation indeed.

@meexpat

we are on the same boat .. card expired and I've been calling l'office des etrangers non stop , they still tell me the same thing .. and I nee to travel urgently begining of June .

In France they have something called " récepissé" to be able to travel while waiting for residency approval/renewal , while in Belgium you can only travel with your card !!

Hello,

I am currently holding a valid single permit till 2028 ... My company recently applied for Eu blue card as well for which I got the positive work decision today.

Now the question is .. Can i travel (outside EU) for 2-3 weeks while my application is in process while I hold a valid resident card? And what if a decision is made while I am abroad?

Hello all,

My unlimited work permit application process went like this:

* My work permit approval date: 22/01/2026

* My Annex 46 date: 16/04/2026

* My residence card expiry date: 22/01/2027

I worked in Brussels between June 2023 - May 2026 under my previous work permit. Since June 2026, I have been receiving unemployment benefits, which I will continue to receive until October 2027.

If I still haven’t found a job by the time I need to renew my residence card (around mid December) 2026), would there still be a chance that my residence permit could be renewed if I provide proof that I am receiving unemployment benefits, along with evidence of my savings in my bank account?

Hello,

May someone share what was the procedure for A card (unlimited work) renewal at the Commune?

I came today in my Commune with all necessary documents, they've checked it, scanned some documents and said that they will call or email me.. So I didnt recieve any application confirmation or anything.

Is it a usual procedure? Should I expect some email from IBZ that my application is in progress?

Thanks and have a good day everyone!

@leonidk

They will send your document to the Immigration Office and the municipality will get back to you via email or letter once they get the renew instructions. Relax and wait.

@Mehrdad_AS

How long does this renewal take ?

@Gvad45

I’ve been waiting 2 months now. Card will expire in a few weeks and need to travel for work. Unable to reach IBZ via phone due to “technical issues” by automated message

@Typical

I think they have up to 4 months

Residency Renewal based on Unlimited WP

Brussels

Submitted Documents to Commune: 07.07

IBZ Approval Annex 46: 01.10

Validity 1 year

@Typical

On 1st October 2026, Did you complete 5 years in Belgium? Or it is lesser than 5 years?

Because if u already complete 5 years by the time its renewed, then u get 5 years B card I think.

@mugeebilgen

Hello, I have the same problem, let me know if you find smth out

@pranav2424

I do not qualify for 5 years yet.

I hold unlimited work permit authorisation based on 30 months residence and working in Brussels region. This was my first time renewal and validity is 1 year only as prior until I will reach 5 years since registration in commune

@Typical

Okes...I got my unlimited work permit by 4 years rule. Because my earlier work permits were issued in flanders. That's why I was curious.

Hi everyone,

I've applied for A card (unlimited work) renewal at the commune around month ago, but according to them they are still waiting for instructions de l’Office des Etrangers..

Could you pls share when commune has contacted you after receiving such instructions? And what are those instructions?

Is it possible to contact Office des Etrangers as well?

Thanks

@leonidk

First tell, how many days back u applied..?..it usually takes 11 weeks for unlimited work permit renewal.

@leonidk

By instructions they mean a decision, took me just a few days under 3 months recently. IBZ directly shared the annex with me and commune in Cc. The next day commune also emailed me seperately to bring a photo and 27 euro for the card.