Unlimited single permit processing time - 2021&2022

@maharaji1984

Thanks, I will let you know how it goes.

Where should he apply for the L card? At the commune?

@fabowuapp yes

@fabowuapp Normally if he has completed 5 years of stay in Belgium then he may not need to apply for the Indefinite work permit as he will be directly eligible for the permanent residence(card type B or D). I think better write an email to the commune and understand what are the possibilities in his case.

Indefinite work permit always comes with card A as it is not a permanent residence.

For those applying for the unlimited single permit, you can follow the status of you application at this website: https://single-permit.prd.pub.socialsecurity.be/You can set it up so that changes to the status of your application are sent to your My eBox. I note that one commenter has his new residence permit approved in November but did not learn about it until January. Following your dossier on the site above may the be best way to have real-time status.

@masstonsils0e Your link will soon be available to open. In flanders, the process starts with emailing the application, do they populate the data on this website?

You can start your application at this website and it will route it to Flanders (or whichever region you live). You may be able to still start by emailing to Flanders, but once accepted you status should be available at this site.

I submitted by dossier to this website on Sunday (7 May), they acknowledged my dossier was complete yesterday (Tuesday 9 May) and late this afternoon (Wednesday 10 May) I received notice that my unlimited work permit was approved. Now I have to wait for immigration to approve the new residence permit, which will likely take longer.

I did apply in Falnders on 5th March and received Annexe 46 approval yesterday. Approx. 2.5 months of total processing time.

According to information of infodesk@ibz.be

The treatment period can take around +/- 10 to 12 weeks through their services (French files 12 to 14 weeks). This counts from the date of the region's decision.

I did application at 03.03.2023 and thats what they said when i asked the situation.

just out of curiosity: What is the difference with this unlimited single permit and an L/B card?

@BMM996210

Unlimited single permit = unlimited working right in Belgium. No need for a work permit approval when changing employer and no limitation on profession. But right of residence is not unlimited. It means if you do not have a job in Belgium, you cannot stay.

L/B cards represent permanent residency and with that type of card you can stay in Belgium even without job.

And with Unlimited single permit you are granted with A card with validity of 1 year, where every year you have to extend your A card (you need to get residence approval / bijlage 46).

L/B cards are valid for 5 years and procedure to extend is relatively simple.

@residencecuriousity Thank you so much.

It is now clear that it is always beneficial to have a B/L card.

And with Unlimited single permit you are granted with A card with validity of 1 year, where every year you have to extend your A card (you need to get residence approval / bijlage 46).
L/B cards are valid for 5 years and procedure to extend is relatively simple.
-@residencecuriousity

a small update: L card is valid for 10 years now.

@residencecuriousity 'no limitation of profession' means can one file vat number and start self employment?

@patiltush When I say there is no limitation on profession, I mean that single permit with limited duration is granted specifically for that employer and that job position (profession). With unlimited single permit you can change employer, and work on any position. For extending A card that is granted based on unlimited single permit you need to deliver valid work contract, and salary slips.

@patiltush in case you want to start a business while you are with your A card, you can just apply for a professional card. Its easy to get it since you are already in Belgium.

@Viswesh Did you apply before you reached 4 years stay? Can you start the application 2 months before for example like reneweing a residence permit? Like 3 years 10 months of work. I saw they require payslips to justify the 4 years.

@maharaji1984

Is there any forum page that I can find the processing times of other members when they applied for card L?

My husband applied for card L on September 3, 2023 but we have not received any information about it. We called immigration last week (https://dofi.ibz.be/nl/contact) and they said there is no decision yet and we should call the commune.

I heard that decisions are made by 5 months else it is given. Is that still the case?

Does anyone has an experience to share?

not forum but commune can give you info.

yes 5 months.

Hello All,

Got a couple of questions regarding Unlimited work permit:-

1) Do I need to communicate to my commune while changing employer if my card is already replaced to Type A Unlimited? Or that is not needed?

2) My Unlimited Type A card is valid until 20th June 2024. I am starting to work in a new company from June 1st.. So I wont have the salary slips with me with application for renewal of my card as I am currently not working since Jan 2024. Do you think the commune will be okay to renew my card based on the signed work contract without salary slips in my case?

3) I completed my 5 years working in Belgium on April 1st 2024. However, from my first RP (Type A limited) was issued on September 10 2019. Do yoi think I can still apply for a Permanent Resident based on continuous stay or will I have to wait until September 2024 to apply?

Many thanks for your responses in advance.

P. S. I am in Etterbeek commune.

Best,

Himanshu

Hi all! I have been working an driving I Brussels the last 2 years and 9 months. I have my single permit renewed for the next 3 years. Can I apply for an unlimited work permit in light if changes that if you have worked for 30 months in the BCR and your permit is issued by Brussels authorities you can apply for an unlimited permit?

"If your authorisations to work were issued by the Brussels Capital Region (Brussels Economy and Employment): you must provide proof of at least 30 months of employment covered by an authorisation over this ten-year period" - is this something I could avail?