Residence permit

Application

This procedure can be followed by students who officially reside in one of the neighbouring countries of Belgium and the UK and who are staying in Antwerp on a temporary basis. If you want to be registered as a resident in Belgium you have to follow the procedure for students from a EU/EEA country and the procedure NON-EU/EEA country for UK students.

The following documents are required for the application:

• A completed, signed information sheet
• A copy of your valid ID card or passport
• Passport picture
• Only for UK students:
  • A copy of your entry stamp in Belgium
  • a proof of sufficient financial means (you can choose one of the following options):
    • A certificate of a grant, scholarship or loan provided by a international or national organisation (e.g. university); 
    • Legalised Annex 32 (commitment to take charge): Third-country nationals wishing to come to Belgium to study may be financially charged by a guarantor. Annex 32 must be completed for this purpose.
      If you have a guarantor in Belgium, you must also submit 3 recent pay slips from your guarantor 
    • A blocked account (Proof of Solvency): this procedure consists of a set amount of money being transferred to the account of the school where the student is enrolled. Afterwards, the amount will be transferred back in parts on set times to the student’s Belgian account (which they need to open themselves). If the students follows this procedure, they will receive a proof of solvency from the school that can be used to apply for the D-visa. The Brussels’ Immigration Office recommends this approach. 

Submit these documents to the Student Center by mail (each requested document in a separate PDF attachment)  to studentadministration@ap.be, please add (FS) to the subject line of your mail.

As soon as your file has been processed, you will receive an 'annex 33' bij email.

Extension

The following documents are required for the application:

• A completed, signed information sheet
• Passport picture
• A copy of your valid ID card or passport

Submit these documents to the Student Center by mail to studentadministration@ap.be, please add (FS) to the subject line of your mail.

Application

The following documents are required for the application:

• A completed, signed information sheet
• A copy of your valid ID card or passport
• A copy of the rental agreement for your accommodation in Antwerp
• A proof of health insurance (copy of the European Health Insurance card). You can find more information here if you choose a Belgian Health insurance.
• A proof or declaration of sufficient financial means (you can choose one of the following options)
  • Proof of subsidy, scholarship, financial guarantee
  • Declaration of honour indicating that you have sufficient financial means

Submit these documents to the Student Center by mail (each requested document in a separate PDF attachment) to studentadministration@ap.be, please add (FS) to the subject line of your mail. 

As soon as your file has been processed, you will receive an 'annex 19' by e-mail. 

Deregistration

When you leave Belgium, you have to deregister as a resident of Antwerp, by submitting this document (step-by-step manual).

Application

The following documents are required for the application:

• A completed, signed information sheet
• A copy of your valid ID card or passport
• A copy of your visa + copy of your entry stamp in Belgium:
  • If you have code B43 on your visa: you must provide proof of valid or private health insurance for Belgium. In case of Belgian health insurance, only the document 'declaration of membership' is valid. Click here for more information on this.
  • When you have Code B7 or Code B35 you need to provide a copy of your exchange certificate (B7) or mobility certificate (B35)
     
• When you don’t have a D-visum, you also need to submit the following documents:
  • a medical certificate
  • a proof of sufficient financial means (you can choose one of the following options):
    • A certificate of a grant, scholarship or loan provided by a international or national organisation (e.g. university); 
    • Legalised Annex 32 (commitment to take charge): Third-country nationals wishing to come to Belgium to study may be financially charged by a guarantor. Annex 32 must be completed for this purpose.
      If you have a guarantor in Belgium, you must also submit 3 recent pay slips from your guarantor 
    • A blocked account (Proof of Solvency): this procedure consists of a set amount of money being transferred to the account of the school where the student is enrolled. Afterwards, the amount will be transferred back in parts on set times to the student’s Belgian account (which they need to open themselves). If the students follows this procedure, they will receive a proof of solvency from the school that can be used to apply for the D-visa. The Brussels’ Immigration Office recommends this approach. 
  • a proof of a valid public or private health insurance for Belgium; a certificate of insurability (verklaring van lidmaatschap) of a Belgian health insurance provider. Click here for more information on this.
  • a proof of payment retribution fee (if you don’t have a scholarship) (more information at studentadministration@ap.be stating (FS) in the subject of your mail)
  • extract from the criminal record (if you’re older than 18 years) if necessary translated and with apostille.
  • Motivation letter as to why you came to Belgium without a D visa

Submit these documents in either English, Dutch or French to the Student Center by mail (each requested document in a separate PDF attachment)  to studentadministration@ap.be, please add (FS) to the subject line of your mail. As soon as your file has been processed, you will receive an 'annex 15' by e-mail. 

Please send a copy of the card you will receive to studentadministration@ap.be, add (FS) to the subject of your mail.

Extension

The following documents are required for an extension:

• A completed, signed information sheet for extension for extension
• A copy of your valid ID card or passport
• A proof of sufficient financial means (you can choose one of the following options):
  • A certificate of a grant, scholarship or loan provided by a international or national organisation (e.g. university); 
  • Legalised Annex 32 (commitment to take charge): Third-country nationals wishing to come to Belgium to study may be financially charged by a guarantor. Annex 32 must be completed for this purpose.
    If you have a guarantor in Belgium, you must also submit 3 recent pay slips from your guarantor.
  • A blocked account (Proof of Solvency): this procedure consists of a set amount of money being transferred to the account of the school where the student is enrolled. Afterwards, the amount will be transferred back in parts on set times to the student’s Belgian account (which they need to open themselves). If the students follows this procedure, they will receive a proof of solvency from the school that can be used to apply for the D-visa. The Brussels’ Immigration Office recommends this approach. 
• Recent proof of a valid public or private health insurance for Belgium; a certificate of insurability (verklaring van lidmaatschap) of a Belgian health insurance provider. Click here for more information on this.
• Only for students who have not participated in some or all exams academic year 2023-2024 (see your report): Motivation letter why you did not participate in all exams. If you have doctor's certificates, you can add them additionally to your motivation letter.

Submit these documents in either English, Dutch or French to the Student Center by mail (each requested document in a seperate PDF attachment) to studentadministration@ap.be, please add (FS) to the subject line of your mail.

You can start your application for an extension 6 weeks before the expiry date of your current residence permit. An application that is submitted too late is automatically declared inadmissible via an annex 29 and you have to follow the procedure 'New application residence permit without D visa' again.

Don't wait until September to apply for the blocked account and health insurance. Request the necessary documents in good time. Please note: from now on there is also a new annex 32, which you need for your application.

Please send a copy of the card to studentadministration@ap.be, once again don't forget to add (FS) to the subject line.

Deregistration

When you leave Belgium, you have to deregister as a residence of Antwerp, by submitting this document (step-by-step manual).

This procedure can be followed by students from EU/EEA countries who are staying in Belgium for only one semester

The following documents are required for the application:

• A completed, signed information sheet
• A copy of your valid ID card or passport

Submit these documents to the Student Center via studentadministration@ap.be (each requested document in a separate PDF attachment), please add (FS) to the subject line of your mail.

You will receive a document ‘declaration of presence’ (‘annex 3ter’ for EU students).

This procedure can be followed by students Not from an EU/EEA-country who are staying in Belgium for only one semester

Erasmus Mobility Non-EEA nationals studying in a European Union country and who are coming to Belgium with Erasmus Mobility can benefit from a simplified application procedure for a temporary Belgian residence permit.

Provided they meet the conditions below at least two months before the start of their stay:

Mobility:

What are the requirements?

1. You have a residence permit from an EEA country which is valid for your entire mobility period in Belgium.
2. You submit your complete application at least two months before the start of your mobility:
   • Start Mobility 1st semester: complete application file must be submitted by 17 July
   • Start Mobility 2nd semester: complete application file must be submitted before 1 December

What documents do you need:

• A colour copy of a valid passport;
• A colour copy of a residence permit from an EEA country valid for the entire mobility period in Belgium;
• Proof of valid health insurance for Belgium for the entire mobility period. Click here for more information on this.
• Proof of sufficient financial means for the entire mobility period, such as: a copy of a scholarship / a copy of the guarantor (legalised Annex 32) or blocked account (proof of solvency - it is best to request this information at the beginning of June 2024 via studentadministration@ap.be with (FS) in the subject of your mail.

Submit these documents to the Student Center via studentadministration@ap.be (each requested document in a separate PDF attachment), please add (FS) to the subject line of your mail.

After a positive decision from the immigration service, you will be notified that your application has been approved. Upon arrival in Belgium, you will receive your residence document 'Annex 33'* valid for your mobility period electronically.

Attention: this is not a Belgian residence card but an additional residence document to your residence card from the other EU country. Always carry both with you. Working as a student is allowed. If you cannot present the required documentation according to the instructions mentioned above, then you must apply for a D visa to come to Belgium with Erasmus Mobility.

If you do not meet the above conditions, you should follow the following procedure on the tab 'Not from an EU/EEA country?'