This page provides information on residence conditions in Belgium and the possibility of extending your stay beyond the date set for leaving Belgian territory ( ) or the expiry date of a residence permit ( ).
A foreigner may not be able to leave Belgium before their visa expires or, if they are exempt from the visa requirement, before the end of the authorised period of stay. In certain circumstances, the Immigration Office may authorise this foreigner to extend their stay.
For more information: Short stay
As a general rule, foreign nationals are authorised to stay in Belgium for a limited period.
Foreign nationals who are abroad are informed by the Belgian embassy or consulate when the D visa (national long-stay visa) is issued.
Useful information: the national entry [B + number] in the 'Remarks' area of the visa D provides information on the conditions for staying and the documents to be presented along with the initial application for renewal of the residence card. This card will be issued upon presentation of the visa D. Cf. National statements (D visa)
Foreign nationals who are in Belgium are informed by the municipal authorities of their place of residence when the residence permit is issued.
As a rule, the application to renew the residence permit must be submitted to the municipal authorities of the place of residence between the 60th and 30th day before the expiry date. [Article 32, §1 of the Royal Decree of 8 October 1981, amended by the Royal Decree of 12 December 2023]
Foreign nationals admitted or authorised to stay for a limited period must submit documents proving that they still meet the conditions for residence.