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Belgium Family Reunification Visa

The Belgium Family Reunification Visa allows close family members of a person legally residing in Belgium — a Belgian citizen, an EU/EEA/Swiss national, or a third-country national with a residence permit — to join them. The rules differ depending on the sponsor’s status: family members of EU, EEA, or Swiss nationals (including Belgians) fall under Articles 40bis/40ter of the Belgian Immigration Act, while family members of third-country national sponsors fall under Articles 10/10bis. Following a broad migration reform package that entered into force through 2026, Belgium has introduced its strictest family reunification conditions in two decades, including higher income thresholds, stricter housing checks, and administrative enforcement of requirements that previously existed in law but were not consistently applied. As with every Belgium Visa category, the final decision on approval rests solely with the Immigration Office (Dienst Vreemdelingenzaken / Office des Étrangers).

Eligibility

You may apply for a Belgium Family Reunification Visa if you are one of the following recognised family members:

  • Spouse or registered partner (in a partnership considered equivalent to marriage under Belgian law).
  • Minor, unmarried children of the sponsor or their spouse/partner.
  • Adult children with disabilities, in specific circumstances.
  • In very limited cases, parents of an unaccompanied minor who has been granted international protection.

Siblings are not eligible for family reunification under Belgian law. The sponsor must demonstrate “stable and sufficient” income — as of 2026, this generally means at least 110% of the Belgian minimum wage (approximately €1,820 per month, plus 10% for each additional dependent), and must provide evidence of suitable housing. Partners applying under the family reunification route must generally be at least 21 years old.

Government Visa Fees

 

CategoryFee
Type D long-stay visa application (third-country national sponsor route)€180 per person
Residence permit for the purpose of family reunion (in Belgium, after arrival)Approximately €313 (indexed)
Family member of an EU/EEA/Swiss national (Article 40bis)Free of charge (visa fee waived)

Fees are non-refundable, whatever the decision on the application. As of 19 February 2026, Belgium also raised its naturalisation application fee to €1,000, which is separate from and unrelated to the family reunification visa fees above, but relevant to family members planning a longer-term path to Belgian citizenship.

Processing Time

If the sponsor is a Belgian citizen, the Immigration Office must generally decide within 6 months of a complete application. If the sponsor is a third-country national with a Belgian residence permit, the decision period is up to 9 months, with the possibility of extensions in complex cases. Highly qualified workers (H card holders) and sponsors with long-term EU resident status may sometimes qualify for faster processing. Once approved, the family member must travel to Belgium and register with their local municipality (commune) within 8 days of arrival to receive their residence card (A-card), initially valid for 1 year and renewable annually.

Required Documents Checklist

Valid passport of the applicant (family member)
Completed and signed Type D visa application form
Recent passport photo (ICAO compliant, not older than 6 months)
Marriage certificate or proof of registered partnership, legalised or apostilled and translated where required
Proof of the sponsor's income meeting the current threshold (payslips, tax returns, employment contract)
Proof of suitable housing in Belgium for the family
Medical certificate, for children with disabilities, issued by a doctor appointed by the Belgian embassy or consulate
Civil status documents not older than 6 months at the time of application

Step-by-Step Application Process

Confirm which route applies based on the sponsor's status (Belgian/EU/EEA/Swiss national under Articles 40bis/40ter, or third-country national resident under Articles 10/10bis).
Gather civil status documents, proof of the sponsor's income, and proof of suitable housing.
Complete the online visa application form and submit it, generally via registered post to the relevant Belgian embassy or consulate.
The embassy forwards the file to the Immigration Office for review where required.
Await the decision — 6 months for Belgian citizen sponsors, up to 9 months (extendable) for third-country national sponsors.
Once approved, travel to Belgium and register with your local municipality (commune) within 8 days of arrival.
Receive your residence card (A-card), valid initially for 1 year and renewable annually.

Important Notes

As of 2026, the Immigration Office has begun strictly enforcing the sufficient-resources requirement based on the sponsor's income, regardless of which Belgian region the applicant will reside in.
Sponsors must demonstrate income of at least 110% of the minimum wage, plus 10% per additional dependent — confirm the current exact figure, as it is periodically revised.
Partners applying under family reunification must generally be at least 21 years old (an increase from the previous threshold of 18).
Siblings are not eligible for family reunification under Belgian law.
Family members of EU/EEA/Swiss nationals do not pay the standard visa fee, but must still meet relationship and resource requirements under Articles 40bis/40ter.
Refugees have a limited window (recently reduced to 6 months from the grant of protection) to apply for family reunification without meeting the income test.
Fees are non-refundable regardless of the outcome.

Why Choose Shivansh Consultants

Applying for a Belgium Family Reunification Visa requires accurate documentation, proof of your family relationship, and compliance with Belgian immigration regulations. At Shivansh Consultants, we provide personalized guidance and end-to-end support, assisting you with visa application forms, relationship documentation, sponsorship papers, financial evidence, accommodation details, and all required supporting documents. Our experienced consultants carefully review every document to help minimize errors and delays while ensuring your application meets the applicable visa requirements. We are committed to delivering transparent, reliable, and client-focused assistance throughout your Belgium Family Reunification Visa application process. While the final decision on visa approval rests solely with the Belgian immigration authorities, our goal is to help you submit a complete, accurate, and well-prepared Belgium Family Reunification Visa application with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can be sponsored under Belgium family reunification?
Recognised family members include a spouse or registered partner, minor unmarried children, adult children with disabilities in specific circumstances, and, in very limited cases, parents of an unaccompanied minor granted international protection. Siblings are not eligible.
What income does a sponsor need in 2026?
Sponsors generally need to demonstrate income of at least 110% of the Belgian minimum wage (approximately €1,820 per month), plus an additional 10% for each dependent already being supported — confirm the exact current figure with the Immigration Office.
How much does the Belgium Family Reunification Visa cost?
The Type D visa fee is €180 per person for third-country national sponsor routes, plus approximately €313 for the residence permit in Belgium. Family members of EU/EEA/Swiss nationals do not pay the visa fee.
How long does Belgium family reunification take?
If the sponsor is a Belgian citizen, the decision must be made within 6 months. If the sponsor is a third-country national with a residence permit, the Immigration Office has up to 9 months, with possible extensions.
Has Belgium's family reunification policy recently changed?
Yes. Since a reform package took effect through 2026, Belgium has introduced its strictest family reunification rules in two decades, including higher enforced income thresholds, stricter housing checks, and a higher age requirement (21) for partners.