Hello! I have the following situation:
- I am going to apply for a L card (which was previously known as D card) long-term stay (status langdurig ingezetene).
- It is possible to apply for this status after having cumulatively spent 5 years in Belgium (time spent studying counts for half and work counts in full).
- I should have 5 years in total this June 2023, however, my current A card is till September 2023 (as is my work contract based on which I received it).
- The application processing by authorities can take up to 5 months.
Therefore, my question is: could there be any problem if my current A card expires before Brussels makes a decision? My card will be valid for 3 months after application submittion, while the procedure can take up to 5 as I wrote before.
If you have an answer, could you please also share the law which determines the rules in this case? I have already asked in many places (city hall, official legal office, etc.) and the problem is that everyone gives me different answers. I would greatly appreciate your help.