Belgium’s new Immigration policy: flexible rules and simplification for skilled workers

Belgium recently introduced new changes to its work permit and immigration policies, effective 1 October 2024. The changes aim to simplify the process of employing foreign professionals and improve conditions for highly skilled workers. The minimum salary thresholds for the various permit categories, including the Blue Card and Single Permit, will now be based on the average monthly salary in the Brussels-Capital Region, which is €4,604.

List of key changes:

• Simplification of obtaining work visas. The procedure for obtaining work visas for foreign specialists has become simpler.
• Change in requirements for the Blue Card. Now higher education is not required, professional experience is enough.
• Reduction of the minimum salary for visas. For the different categories of work visas, a minimum threshold of 4,604 euros has been set, which is based on the average salary in Brussels.
• Flexibility in changing employers. Foreign specialists can change employers after 30 months of work instead of the previous 48 months.
• Speeding up the application process: The new measures will help to process and submit visa applications more quickly.

Key changes include the possibility of a faster transfer between employers after 30 months of work in the region, which was previously only possible after 48 months. Also, a higher education is no longer required to obtain a Blue Card; professional experience in the field of information technology is sufficient. These innovations will make the labor market more attractive to foreign specialists and simplify the process of their integration into Belgian society.