Belgium Researcher permit

Single permit for researchers at a BELSPO-approved research institution in the Flemish Region under a hosting agreement; the permit also allows teaching at universities and colleges. ^{1 2 3 4}

What you must show

• Income of at least EUR 2,233.61 a month (≈ $2,500) · Wage floor: at least the minimum wage set by the competent joint committee and never below the national guaranteed average minimum monthly income, EUR 2,233.61 (≈ $2,500) gross a month from 1 July 2026 as published by Wallonia and Brussels-Capital; the Flemish page names no amount. ^{1 3 4}

Requirements

• The applicant is a third-country national who will do research at an approved institution in the Flemish Region. ¹
• The research institution is approved by BELSPO and has signed a hosting agreement with the researcher. ¹
• Postdoctoral researchers hold a doctorate (qualification level 8) and do fundamental scientific research. ²
• Pay is at least the committee minimum wage and never below the guaranteed average minimum monthly income. ¹
• The employer files the passport copy, criminal record, medical certificate and health insurance proof for the single permit. ¹
• The approved institution applies for the single permit; the Flemish Region decides within 60 days of an admissible application. ¹
• After approval the researcher applies for the D visa at the Belgian embassy with the single permit decision. ¹
• The researcher can also do teaching activities at universities and colleges without a separate work permit. ¹

Stay

• The permit lasts as long as the research. A renewal is filed at least 2 months before expiry; the Flemish page gives the earliest date as 4 months before in one place and 6 months before in another.
• Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

Nationality

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals. Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

Work

Research at the approved host institution, plus teaching at universities and colleges, without a separate work permit.

Family

Spouse or registered partner and children can apply for a long-stay D visa for family reunification; it is issued quickly when filed within six months of the worker's visa.

Checked 2026-10-12

Official sources

1. Employing a foreigner in Flanders: researcher with a hosting agreement · Flemish Government · checked 2026-10-11
2. Employing a foreigner in Flanders: categories · Government of Flanders · checked 2026-10-10
3. Work authorisations and B work permits: salary thresholds for employers (2026 and 2027) · Public Service of Wallonia – Employment and Vocational Training (emploi.wallonie.be) · checked 2026-10-10
4. Single permit: minimum remuneration (Brussels-Capital Region) · Brussels Economy and Employment · checked 2026-10-10
5. Law of 15 December 1980 on access, residence, settlement and removal of foreigners, Articles 10, 10bis and 40ter · Moniteur belge (Justel) · checked 2026-10-11
6. Code of Belgian nationality (Art. 12bis: acquisition by declaration after 5 years of legal residence) · Belgian Official Gazette (Moniteur belge / Federal Public Service Justice) · checked 2026-10-11