Migrant workers holding a single permit (61/25-6, § 4 of the Residence Act) may, after five years' employment in Belgium, apply to extend their stay and obtain a B card.
No automatic entitlement to a B card
Although the five-year period starts to run from the issue of the first residence permit (e.g. an A permit), this does not mean that the B permit is automatically granted on expiry of this period. The Office des Étrangers (OE) has tied competence, which means that the card can only be issued after an assessment of the migrant worker's individual situation.
The procedure can take more than five years
In practice, it can take more than five years to obtain a B card, depending on a number of factors:
- OE administrative processing time
- The specific situation of migrant workers
- Any additional requirements or documents
Conclusion
Applying for a B card is not an automatic process, and waiting times can vary. Migrant workers need to take this into account and inform themselves properly about their rights and the potential length of the procedure.
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