Change status from 'Highly Skilled' to 'Dependant'

When you say getting a dependent visa, do you mean a family reunion residency application? Btw visas are something you need when entering the country and residency cards is what you'll get associated with an 'annex' which is the application to get the card within Belgium.

Since you're here for 4 years I'd wait a next year until you can apply for permanent residency by applying for a D card. Good info about the D card here: https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=856211

The problem with getting a dependent visa is that they may cancel your 'Highly skilled' single permit card and give you the dreaded "orange card". When you would apply for citizenship that card does not count as a form of "legal residency". The required 5 years needed restarts from when you get the residency card associated with a "dependent" residency card. Only when the family reunification was with a non-Belgian EU partner then this period counts as a 'legal stay' since EU rules apply (and not for a Belgian in Belgium). This too as been discussed on this forum if you search citizenship and orange card.

Thank you

Hi Dambett,

talking about family reunification, is it necessary for a new student to wait for 6months ( in order to be able to show salary statement for 6months) before inviting his family? Non EU.

The student being joined and the family being invited are financially under the care of the other spouse.

Thank you in anticipation of your kind response.