L Card Application Antwerp

Don’t be naive it’s done for a reason lol

@dakbak

Yes, I understand you and feel sorry. This situation is fundamentally wrong, and I honestly don’t understand how such a huge backlog is possible. If there’s a staff shortage, they could just hire more people — so it’s clear this delay is artificial. Even in Brussels, I checked a couple of random communes, and the appointment wait time is about two weeks.

In Antwerp, two far-right anti-immigration parties are in power, so unfortunately it’s not surprising. It’s also telling that the delays only exist in Loket Migratie — in all other departments there are no such queues.

I live in a city with 80k people and a large suburban population, governed by centrists, and here you can still get an appointment for an L card (or any residence card) even for today.

My only advice for the future: try to apply a bit before your 5-year is completed — not after.

Cheers

@dakbak

Hi , welcome to the club

I applied at 01.01.2025 in Antwerpen and still waiting

Will mention you once i finish everything and share my timeline.

@dakbak,

We are talking about two timelines ....

1. Online L card application submission till Stad review it (varies 2, 3 or 4 months)
2. Stad reviews it and sent it to IBZ till IBZ takes a decision (normally 5 months)

What I have heard and seen that if your employer hires a relocation consultant, he/she can reduce the no1 timeline to a week or days.

No2 timeline (IBZ review) - mostly it is always 5 months basically if IBZ dont comment negatively on the L card application, Stad grants it automatically after 5 month from application date. Normally, You will also be given a permission letter that you can stay till there is a decision.

This is what I heard, I will not be able to provide much details.

I have received the Annexe 16 ,annexe 16bis and appointment ( for dec 2025) through mail today.

However it is mentioned that, I have asked for K card. But in the same mail, on the request, it is clearly mentioned, I have requested for L card.

What i read is K card is for the people who hold B card. I hold only A card for last 5 years.

Anyone knows any info regarding this or Should I mail the commune about this.

The translated version of email below.

Dear customer,

You asked whether you are eligible for the electronic alien card K. The Immigration Office (FPS Home Affairs) decides on this.

In attachment you will find:

·        your attachment 16

·        your appendix 16bis

·        your invitation to be informed of the decision.

----------

Which electronic alien card do you want to apply for?

I have an Electronic Alien Card A, B or C/K and would like to apply for an Electronic Alien Card L.

@dakbak

When you made your request are you sure you choose

Ik heb een Elektronische vreemdelingenkaart A, B of C/K en wil een Elektronische vreemdelingenkaart L aanvragen.

option?

Is there any gap 5 years continiously working?

@maharaji1984

Yes, I choose that option. In the mail, it is specified on request data as well.

There is gap of 1 week between jobs.

@dakbak

One mine friend requested L type of  card however due to the gap between two jobs he recieved b type instead l.

If I were you I would ask to commune, maybe during request they choose wrong option.

@maharaji1984

Thanks for the reply.

I have sent mail to commune.

@Dhruvraj Padheriya

I am waiting for the response. The commune provided the appoinment in the mid of December.

One more month to go to know the status for my application.

Note : for the L card/K card confusion, the commune replied that application was indeed for L card and they made a typo on Email that it was for K card.

@Dhruvraj Padheriya

Yes you are right. 5 months period starts after you receive  Annexe 16/16 bis. after submitting the documents Online nothing post that. Just waiting for my decision and will be going for appoinment on december.

Update:

finally after 7 months after application, L card has been approved yesterday. Below is my timeline,

L card Application: 2nd May (applied online)

Annexe 16/ 16 bis : July 14

L card approved: Dec 16