with a beneficiary of international protection status

The spouse or partner of a foreign national who has been admitted to stay in Belgium as a beneficiary of

A person who flees his country due to a fear of persecution or a risk of serious harm, can obtain international protections within anoter country's borders. The person must ask  for asylum in this other country.

status has a right to

A procedure that allows a foreigner to obtain a residence permit to join a family member legally residing in a country.

. This right must be recognised if the persons concerned can prove, by means of documents, that the conditions for family reunification have been met.

• Marriage and partnership considered equivalent to marriage in Belgium

The applicant must be married to the

anyone who does not provide proof of Belgian nationality.

being joined or have entered into a partnership in Germany, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden or the United Kingdom.

If the applicant or the Belgian national being joined remarries, or in the case of a new relationship, the persons concerned must provide evidence of the dissolution of the previous marriage or relationship (divorce certificate, death certificate of the spouse or partner, etc.), in addition to evidence of the marriage or partnership.

In general, the applicant must submit official documents in accordance with article 30 of the Law of 16 July 2004 on the Code of Private International Law or international conventions on the same subject to establish his/her relationship or relationship through marriage to the foreign national being joined.

_{Special provision: if the applicant cannot provide evidence of the family relationship or relationship through marriage by means of official documents, the Immigration Office may take into account other valid evidence submitted regarding this relationship, provided that it predates the entry of the joined foreign national in Belgium. If that is not possible, the Immigration Office may proceed to or arrange for interviews and investigations, or propose that additional analysis be carried out (e.g. a DNA test).[Article 12bis, §5 and §6, second paragraph of the Law of 15 December 1980]}

_{Good to know : The applicant is not entitled to family reunification when another spouse of the foreign national who is beneficiary of international protection status already resides in Belgium (polygamous marriage).}

• Age

The applicant and the foreigner being joined must be over 21 years of age. This minimum age is reduced to 18 years if the spouses prove that the marriage existed before the arrival of the foreigner being joined in Belgium.

→ Submit the birth certificate of the applicant and the sponsor, or any other document that validly proves their age. 

• Stay

The foreigner being joined must be admitted to stay in Belgium as a beneficiary of international protection status.

→ Submit a copy of the decision granting the international protection status and the residence permit.

• Means of subsistence

The foreigner being joined must have stable, regular and sufficient means of subsistence to meet their own needs and those of their family members and to avoid becoming a burden on the public authorities. 

For more information: Stable, regular and sufficient means of subsistence

_{Special provision: The spouse or partner of a foreign national who has the international protection status does not need to provide evidence that this foreign national has stable, regular and sufficient means of subsistence, if the marriage or partnership precedes his/her entry into Belgium, and if the application for family reunification is submitted within the year following the recognition of refugee status or the granting of subsidiary protection to the sponsor. When assessing this 12-month deadline, any special circumstances which make late submission of the application objectively excusable, are taken into account}

• Housing

The foreigner being joinedmust have sufficient housing to accommodate the family member(s) who have asked to join them, and which meets the conditions imposed upon real estate leased as a principal residence, as stipulated in Article 2 of Book III, Title VIII, Chapter II, Section 2 of the Civil Code.

For more information: Sufficient housing

_{Special provision: The spouse or partner of a foreign national who has the international protection status does not need to provide evidence that this foreign national has sufficient housing, if the marriage or partnership precedes his/her entry into Belgium, and if the application for family reunification is submitted within the year following the recognition of refugee status or the granting of subsidiary protection to the sponsor. When assessing this 12-month deadline, any special circumstances which make late submission of the application objectively excusable, are taken into account}

• Health insurance

The foreigner being joined must have health insurance that covers the risks in Belgium for themselves and their family members.

For more information: Health insurance

_{Special provision: The spouse or partner of a foreign national who has the international protection status does not need to provide evidence that this foreign national has health assurance, if the marriage or partnership precedes his/her entry into Belgium, and if the application for family reunification is submitted within the year following the recognition of refugee status or the granting of subsidiary protection to the sponsor. When assessing this 12-month deadline, any special circumstances which make late submission of the application objectively excusable, are taken into account}

• Public health

The applicant must provide a medical certificate proving that they are not affected by any of the diseases listed in the annex to the Act of 15 December 1980, which may pose a danger to public health.

For more information: Medical certificate

• Public order

The applicant must provide an extract from the criminal record or an equivalent document. 

For more information: Extract from criminal record.

• Co-habitation

The applicant must come to live with the foreigner being joined. 

_{The Immigration Office may have doubts regarding the real intention of the applicant and/or the foreigner being joined.  to create a sustainable life together. In this case, the applicant and/or the foreigner being joined.  may be invited for an interview and the opinion of the public prosecutor's office may be sought.} 

_{If the investigation shows that the marriage is for the purpose of obtaining a residence benefit (e.g. a residence permit), the Immigration Office will likely deny the request for family reunification. These checks will also affect the examination period for the application for family reunification.}

The partner of a foreign national who has been admitted to stay in Belgium as a beneficiary of

A person who flees his country due to a fear of persecution or a risk of serious harm, can obtain international protections within anoter country's borders. The person must ask  for asylum in this other country.

status has a right to

A procedure that allows a foreigner to obtain a residence permit to join a family member legally residing in a country.

. This right must be recognised if the persons concerned can prove, by means of documents, that the conditions for family reunification have been met.

• Legal registered partnership

In Belgium, registered partnership refers to the declaration of legal cohabitation made before a civil registrar (see Articles 1475 et seq. of the Civil Code).

→ Submit the declaration of legal cohabitation or proof of a legal registered partnership.

_{Useful information:}

• _{The applicant and the beneficiary of international protection status must not be in a long-term relationship with another person.}
• _{The partnership does not give the right to family reunification when it is concluded between (i) relatives in the ascending and descending line and relatives in the same line, or (ii) in the lateral line, between brothers, between sisters, or between brothers and sisters, or between uncle and niece or nephew, or (iii) between aunt and niece or nephew.}
• _{The applicant and the sponsor must not have been the subject of a final decision refusing the completion of the marriage based on Article 167 of the Civil Code.} 

• Stable and lasting relationship

The relationship between the applicant and the sponsor must be stable and lasting. Proof of such a relationship can be provided in the following way:

• The partners have lived together continuously in Belgium or another country for at least one year prior to the application; or
• The partners have known each other for at least two years, prior to the application, and provide evidence that they maintained regular contact, by telephone, correspondence or electronic messages, and that they met three times in the two years prior to the application and that these meetings totalled 45 or more days; or
• The partners have a mutual child.

→ Submit evidence of the stable and lasting nature of the relationship.

• Age

The applicant and the sponsor must be over 21 years of age. This minimum age is reduced to 18 years if the partners prove that they had been living together for at least one year prior to the sponsor's arrival in Belgium.

→ Submit the birth certificate of the applicant and the sponsor, or any other document validly proving their age, and, if applicable, proof of cohabitation for at least one year prior to the sponsor's arrival in Belgium.

• Unmarried status

The applicant and the sponsor must be unmarried.

→ Submit proof of unmarried status of the applicant and the sponsor.

• Stay

The foreign national being joined must be admitted to stay in Belgium as a beneficiary of international protection status.

→ Submit a copy of the decision granting the international protection status and the residence permit.

• Means of subsistence

The

anyone who does not provide proof of Belgian nationality.

being joined must have stable, regular and sufficient means of subsistence to meet their own needs and those of their family members and to avoid becoming a burden on the public authorities. 

For more information: Stable, regular and sufficient means of subsistence

_{Special provision: The partner of a foreign national who has the international protection status does not need to provide evidence that this foreign national has stable, regular and sufficient means of subsistence, if the marriage or partnership precedes his/her entry into Belgium, and if the application for family reunification is submitted within the year following the recognition of refugee status or the granting of subsidiary protection to the sponsor. When assessing this 12-month deadline, any special circumstances which make late submission of the application objectively excusable, are taken into account.}

• Housing

The foreigner being joined must have sufficient housing to accommodate the family member(s) who have asked to join them, and which meets the conditions imposed upon real estate leased as a principal residence, as stipulated in Article 2 of Book III, Title VIII, Chapter II, Section 2 of the Civil Code.

For more information: Sufficient housing

_{Special provision: The partner of a foreign national who has the international protection status does not need to provide evidence that this foreign national has sufficient housing, if the marriage or partnership precedes his/her entry into Belgium, and if the application for family reunification is submitted within the year following the recognition of refugee status or the granting of subsidiary protection to the sponsor. When assessing this 12-month deadline, any special circumstances which make late submission of the application objectively excusable, are taken into account.}

• Insurance

The foreigner being joined must have health insurance that covers the risks in Belgium for themselves and their family members.

For more information: Health insurance

_{Special provision: The partner of a foreign national who has the international protection status does not need to provide evidence that this foreign national has health assurance, if the marriage or partnership precedes his/her entry into Belgium, and if the application for family reunification is submitted within the year following the recognition of refugee status or the granting of subsidiary protection to the sponsor. When assessing this 12-month deadline, any special circumstances which make late submission of the application objectively excusable, are taken into account}

• Public health

The applicant must provide a medical certificate proving that they are not affected by any of the diseases listed in the annex to the Act of 15 December 1980, which may pose a danger to public health.

For more information: Medical certificate

• Public order

The applicant must provide an extract from the criminal record or an equivalent document. 

For more information: Extract from criminal record.

• Co-habitation

The applicant must come to live with the foreigner being joined. 

_{The Immigration Office may have doubts regarding the real intention of the applicant and/or the foreigner being joined to create a sustainable life together. In this case, the applicant and/or the foreigner being joined may be invited for an interview and the opinion of the public prosecutor's office may be sought.} 

_{If the investigation shows that the marriage is for the purpose of obtaining a residence benefit (e.g. a residence permit), the Immigration Office will likely deny the request for family reunification. These checks will also affect the examination period for the application for family reunification.}

The underage child of a foreign national who has been admitted to stay in Belgium as a beneficiary of

A person who flees his country due to a fear of persecution or a risk of serious harm, can obtain international protections within anoter country's borders. The person must ask  for asylum in this other country.

status, en/or of spouse or partner,  has a right to

A procedure that allows a foreigner to obtain a residence permit to join a family member legally residing in a country.

. This right must be recognised if the persons concerned can prove, by means of documents, that the conditions for family reunification have been met.

• Descent

The applicant must prove descent from the sponsor, spouse or partner.

In general, the applicant must submit official documents in accordance with article 30 of the Law of 16 July 2004 on the Code of Private International Law or international conventions on the same subject to establish his/her relationship or relationship through marriage to the foreign national being joined.

_{Special provision: if the applicant cannot provide evidence of the family relationship by means of official documents, the Immigration Office may take into account other valid evidence submitted regarding this relationship, provided that it predates the entry of the joined foreign national in Belgium. If that is not possible, the Immigration Office may proceed to or arrange for interviews and investigations, or propose that additional analysis be carried out (e.g. a DNA test).[Article 12bis, §5 and §6, second paragraph of the Law of 15 December 1980]}

• Age

The applicant must be less than 18 years old. 

_{Good to know: the child's age at the time the application for international protection is lodged is taken into account. If the child reaches the age of 18 during or shortly after being granted international protection, the application for family reunification can be submitted up to 3 months after the decision granting international protection status.  When assessing this 3-month deadline, account is taken of any special circumstances which make late submission of the application objectively excusable.  [Article 10, §1, 4° of the Law of 15 December 1980, amended by the Law of 10 March 2024 - Entered into force on 1 September 2024]}

• Unmarried status

The applicant must be unmarried.

→ Submit proof of unmarried status if the applicant is old enough to validly enter into a marriage.

• Parental authority

If the applicant is not a common child of the foreign national being joined and his/her spouse or partner, the foreign national being joined must exercise parental authority, including custody rights, and the applicant must be dependent on him/her. If parental authority is shared, the other holder of parental authority must agree to family reunification. _{[Law of March 10, 2024 - Effective September 1, 2024]}

→ Present proof that the foreign national being reunited, his or her spouse or partner exercises parental authority and, in the event of shared parental authority, that he or she has the agreement of the other holder of this authority, as well as proof that the child is dependent on him or her. 

_{Good to know: the exercise of parental authority is presumed if the joined parent presents a legally valid birth certificate mentioning his or her name as the child's parent. However, if such a birth certificate cannot be produced, or if its validity is contested, it will be up to the joined parent to prove the exercise of parental authority by any legal means, in accordance with the applicable legislation on parental authority.}

• Stay

The foreign national being joined must be admitted to stay in Belgium as a beneficiary of international protection status.

→ Submit a copy of the decision granting the international protection status and the residence permit.

• Means of subsistence

The

anyone who does not provide proof of Belgian nationality.

being joined must have stable, regular and sufficient means of subsistence to meet their own needs and those of their family members and to avoid becoming a burden on the public authorities. 

For more information: Stable, regular and sufficient means of subsistence

_{Special provisions:}

_{> The underage child of a foreign national who has the international protection status does not need to provide evidence that this foreign national has stable, regular and sufficient means of subsistence, if the parentage precedes his/her entry into Belgium, and if the application for family reunification is submitted within the year following the recognition of refugee status or the granting of subsidiary protection to the sponsor. When assessing this 12-month deadline, any special circumstances which make late submission of the application objectively excusable, are taken into account.}

_{> An underage child does not need to provide proof that the foreigner being joined has stable, regular and sufficient means of subsistence, if they are unmarried, come to live with the foreigner being joined before reaching 18 years of age and are the only one coming to join the the foreigner being joined (that is to say, the other parent does not apply for family reunification at the same time).}

• Housing

The foreigner being joined must have sufficient housing to accommodate the family member(s) who have asked to join them, and which meets the conditions imposed upon real estate leased as a principal residence, as stipulated in Article 2 of Book III, Title VIII, Chapter II, Section 2 of the Civil Code.

For more information: Sufficient housing

_{Special provision: The underage child of a foreign national who has the international protection status does not need to provide evidence that this foreign national has sufficient housing, if the parentage precedes his/her entry into Belgium, and if the application for family reunification is submitted within the year following the recognition of refugee status or the granting of subsidiary protection to the sponsor. When assessing this 12-month deadline, any special circumstances which make late submission of the application objectively excusable, are taken into account.}

• Insurance

The foreigner being joined must have health insurance that covers the risks in Belgium for themselves and their family members.

For more information: Health insurance

_{Special provision: The underage child of a foreign national who has the international protection status does not need to provide evidence that this foreign national has health insurance, if the parentage precedes his/her entry into Belgium, and if the application for family reunification is submitted within the year following the recognition of refugee status or the granting of subsidiary protection to the sponsor. When assessing this 12-month deadline, any special circumstances which make late submission of the application objectively excusable, are taken into account.}

• Public health

The applicant must provide a medical certificate proving that they are not affected by any of the diseases listed in the annex to the Act of 15 December 1980, which may pose a danger to public health.

For more information: Medical certificate

• Co-habitation

The applicant must come to live with the foreigner being joined.

The adult disabled child of a foreign national who has been admitted to stay in Belgium as a beneficiary of

A person who flees his country due to a fear of persecution or a risk of serious harm, can obtain international protections within anoter country's borders. The person must ask  for asylum in this other country.

status, en/or of spouse or partner,  has a right to

A procedure that allows a foreigner to obtain a residence permit to join a family member legally residing in a country.

. This right must be recognised if the persons concerned can prove, by means of documents, that the conditions for family reunification have been met.

• Descent

The applicant must prove descent from the sponsor, spouse or partner.

→ Submit a birth certificate, or any document that validly proves the fact that they are descended from the sponsor, their spouse or their partner. 

_{Special provision: if the applicant cannot provide evidence of the family relationship by means of official documents, the Immigration Office may take into account other valid evidence submitted regarding this relationship, provided that it predates the entry of the joined foreign national in Belgium. If that is not possible, the Immigration Office may proceed to or arrange for interviews and investigations, or propose that additional analysis be carried out (e.g. a DNA test).[Article 12bis, §5 and §6, second paragraph of the Law of 15 December 1980]}

• Age

The applicant must be more than 18 years old. 

→ Submit a birth certificate, or any document that validly proves their age.

• Unmarried status

The applicant must be unmarried.

→ Submit proof of unmarried status if the applicant is old enough to validly enter into a marriage.

• Dependant

On account of their disability, the applicant cannot provide for their own needs.

→ Submit a certificate from a doctor recognised by the Belgian diplomatic or consular post competent for residence abroad, confirming that the applicant is unable to meet their own needs due to their disability.

• Stay

The foreign national being joined must be admitted to stay in Belgium as a beneficiary of international protection status.

→ Submit a copy of the decision granting the international protection status and the residence permit.

• Means of subsistence

The

anyone who does not provide proof of Belgian nationality.

being joined must have stable, regular and sufficient means of subsistence to meet their own needs and those of their family members and to avoid becoming a burden on the public authorities. 

For more information: Stable, regular and sufficient means of subsistence

• Housing

The foreigner being joined must have adequate housing to accommodate the family member(s) who have asked to join them, and which meets the conditions imposed upon real estate leased as a principal residence, as stipulated in Article 2 of Book III, Title VIII, Chapter II, Section 2 of the Civil Code.

For more information: Adequate housing

• Insurance

The foreigner being joined must have health insurance that covers the risks in Belgium for themselves and their family members.

For more information: Health insurance

• Public health

The applicant must provide a medical certificate proving that they are not affected by any of the diseases listed in the annex to the Act of 15 December 1980, which may pose a danger to public health.

For more information: Medical certificate

• Public order

The applicant must provide an extract from the criminal record or an equivalent document. 

For more information: Extract from criminal record.

• Co-habitation

The applicant must come to live with the foreigner being joined.

The parents (father and mother) of a foreign national who has been admitted to stay in Belgium as a beneficiary of

A person who flees his country due to a fear of persecution or a risk of serious harm, can obtain international protections within anoter country's borders. The person must ask  for asylum in this other country.

status, en/or of spouse or partner,  has a right to

A procedure that allows a foreigner to obtain a residence permit to join a family member legally residing in a country.

. This right must be recognised if the persons concerned can prove, by means of documents, that the conditions for family reunification have been met.

• Identity

The applicant must prove their identity.

→ Present a valid travel document, or any document that validly proves identity.

• Descent

The applicant must demonstrate that they are the father or mother of a

anyone who does not provide proof of Belgian nationality.

who has obtained international protection in Belgium.

→ Submit a birth certificate, or any document that validly proves their descent. 

_{Special provision: if the applicant cannot provide evidence of the family relationship  by means of official documents, the Immigration Office may take into account other valid evidence submitted regarding this relationship, provided that it predates the entry of the joined foreign national in Belgium. If that is not possible, the Immigration Office may proceed to or arrange for interviews and investigations, or propose that additional analysis be carried out (e.g. a DNA test).[Article 12bis, §5 and §6, second paragraph of the Law of 15 December 1980]}

• Age

The applicant must come to live with the foreign national being joined before this foreign national reaches the age of 18.

_{Good to know: the child's age at the time the application for international protection is lodged is taken into account. If the child reaches the age of 18 during or shortly after being granted international protection, the application for family reunification can be submitted up to 3 months after the decision granting international protection status.  When assessing this 3-month deadline, account is taken of any special circumstances which make late submission of the application objectively excusable.  [Article 10, §1, 4° of the Law of 15 December 1980, amended by the Law of 10 March 2024 - Entered into force on 1 September 2024]}

• Unaccompanied foreign minor (UFM)

The foreigner who has obtained international protection in Belgium had to be under 18 years of age when they requested this international protection. On the other hand, the sponsor must have entered Belgium without having been accompanied by an adult foreigner who is responsible for him under the law, and must not subsequently have been in the care of such a person, or left unaccompanied after entering Belgium.

• Public health

The applicant must provide a medical certificate proving that they are not affected by any of the diseases listed in the annex to the Act of 15 December 1980, which may pose a danger to public health.

For more information: Medical certificate

• Public order

The applicant must provide an extract from the criminal record or an equivalent document.

For more information: Extract from criminal record.

• Co-habitation

The applicant must come to live with the foreigner being joined.