Applying B or L card after 5 Years stay in Belgium

Hello,

if you've been working for 5 years without any gap you should go for the L card.
Else the B card.

Both are permanent resident card, but L card allows you to settle in another Schengen state with very few administration.

Please read other existing topic about it, you'll find quite a lot of information & experience.

Thank you

Hi Alex, thank you for your contribution to this forum.
I have a question; I would appreciate your advice and suggestions.
I came to Belgium through a scholarship in 2015-2017. I started my PhD at Ghent University then I came back in 2020 for 10 months, I left again. I came back again this January. I am rounding up the PhD program at Ghent University and I think I will be here for a long time. I am currently taking the Integration programme, learning Dutch.

For permanent residency, where can I start? Where can I get this information? What do your advice. I know it's not possible now since there are gaps in my stay here and I am just a student.

Hello,

technically it starts from your last "gap", from that timeframe you can start counting.

Thank you, well noted.

eshwarraj09 wrote:

Dear All,
Looking for some suggestion:
I received my First Work Permit on 8th Feb 2017, Reached Belgium on March 28th, 2017.
My First Resident Permit Start date is July 12th, 2017. Can I apply for B or L Card in the next couple of weeks(Which means after 5 Years of Stay/Arrival) or must I wait till July to complete 5 years as per Resident Permit?
Thanks for Sharing experienced Feedback.

It is counted from the issue-date of your first RP.

@eshwarraj09 - No. The time is calculated from 1st RP issue date. But you can always apply few weeks before

I have question about D card. If one gets a residency D card, do we have to apply for the residence card afresh for the spouse based on it? If yes, and if the spouse has only worked for last 2 years during 5 years of stay in Belgium, what type of card is issued to the spouse? Is the spouse eligible for permanent residency as well based on the main applicant?

@AlexFromBelgium Can you give some information of the gap?

I changed employers during the 5 year period but my RP was still active. does that include into a gap?

Normally I assume a gap is when you are more than 6 months out of Belgium?

I just applied for my L card and the city hall mentioned that the response would be given after 5 months and 1 day when I can schedule a new appointment to get the L Card.

@BMM996210

if you jump to the employer on the next working day from the last working day of the previous employer then its fine.

The gap here mean not a single day without paying social security in term of Single permit/full time worker.

If you do not have this kind of gap then its fine. But if you have but still got the D then pls keep me updated aầterwards

@BMM996210 HI there, do you have any updates on your application? Very much interested.