Last Updated on April 26, 2026 by Alex
Date: April 26, 2026
Location: Brussels, Wallonia
THE CORE ISSUE: Massive Logistics Collapse in the Document Issuance System
Belgium’s national postal service, Bpost, has announced a large-scale strike, leading to the effective paralysis of immigration paperwork processing in the Brussels-Capital Region and Wallonia. As of April 26, 2026, delays are ongoing and affecting thousands of applicants.
For thousands of foreign nationals, this isn’t just a “mail delay”—it’s a temporary loss of legal certainty. Currently, thousands of envelopes containing residence permits (e-ID) and official work authorizations (Single Permit) are blocked in sorting centers.
Why has the mail stopped?
The Bpost employee strike was triggered by management’s plans to restructure the delivery system in the country’s southern regions and the capital. Unions are demanding a review of working conditions and an increase in staff to handle the growing volume of shipments. Until a consensus is reached, the main burden has fallen on the sorting centers in Brussels and Liège, which are currently almost entirely paralyzed.
For an immigrant in Belgium, Bpost is a critical link. It is through the mail that municipalities (communes) receive PIN/PUK codes to activate new cards, and both employers and employees receive paper copies of decisions from the Regional Ministries of Employment.
Who is affected most?
Individuals with expiring status. If your Annex 15 (“orange card”) is nearing its end and your new plastic card is stuck in the mail, you may face difficulties crossing borders or verifying status with banks. This is particularly concerning as many expats are already seeing their document processing stretch beyond six months.
The situation impacts all categories of expats, but it is most critical for the following groups:
- Individuals with expiring status. If your Annex 15 (“orange card”) is nearing its end and your new plastic card is stuck in the mail, you may face difficulties crossing borders or verifying status with banks.
- New employees (Single Permit). Without the official approval letter (Annex 46), many companies hesitate to officially onboard employees, fearing inspections from the Federal Public Service Employment (SPF Emploi).
- Delays in receiving documents can affect the right to receive subsidies or university registration for the upcoming semester.
Comparative Table: Impact of the Strike on Document Types
| Document Type | Delivery Channel | Current Status (Brussels/Wallonia) | Estimated Delay |
| PIN/PUK codes for e-ID | Regular Mail (Bpost) | Suspended / Significant delays | +14–21 days |
| Residence Permit (Plastic) | Delivery to Commune | Partially blocked in sorting centers | +10–15 days |
| Single Permit (Annex 46) | Registered Mail / Email | Paper originals blocked | +7–10 days |
| Annex 15 (Temporary) | Issued in person at the Commune | Not affected | 0 days |
| Address Registration | Police visit + mail confirmation | Delayed confirmation letters | +14 days |
Note: For the latest official updates on residence status, we recommend checking the Immigration Office (Office des Étrangers) portal.
FAQ: What to do if your documents are delayed
If you have encountered a residence permit delay and, due to the postal strike, are unsure how to maintain your legal status, we recommend following this algorithm:
Ensure the issue is indeed caused by the post. You can check the status of your file on the Foreigners Registration (IBZ) portal.
Don’t wait for a critical date. If your Belgian residence permit delay persists, contact your municipality immediately. This list of all Brussels Communes will help you find contact details to book an appointment for an Annex 15 (temporary document) extension.
Following recent digitalization news, Belgium is actively transitioning to the Working in Belgium system. If you applied through an employer, ask them to check their portal dashboard—often, a digital decision (PDF) appears there before the hard copy reaches your mailbox. In most cases, a digital copy is sufficient to start working.
Yes, you can work without the physical plastic card. The right to employment is confirmed not by the card itself, but by a positive decision on the issuance of a Single Permit. If you are a new employee facing a delay, you must provide your employer with a copy of Annex 46 or a valid Annex 15. According to the rules on the Working in Belgium portal, these documents are sufficient to legally start work while the original card is in transit.
As of April 2026, an additional 14 to 21 days is being added to the standard waiting time. Note that the strike creates a 'bottleneck' effect: even when postal workers return to work, they need time to process the backlog at sorting centers. Based on previous Bpost strikes, delivery schedules in Brussels and Wallonia usually normalize about two weeks after the protests officially end. If you have been waiting for more than a month, you should send an inquiry to the Federal Public Service Interior (SPF Intérieur).Monitor your status.
Extend temporary rights.
Digital Mandates.
Can I work without a physical residence card in Belgium?
How long will the Bpost delays last?
Official Position
The State Secretary for Asylum and Migration, Nicole de Moor, has already expressed serious concern regarding the situation. In her official statement dated April 25, 2026, she noted:
“We recognize that the Bpost strike creates unjustified difficulties for legal residents. My department is coordinating with the SPF Intérieur to provide alternative methods of status verification for those whose documents are blocked in distribution centers.”
According to government policy notes, the current priority is to prevent situations where a residence permit delay in Belgium could lead to job loss or deportation risks.
Alex’s Pro-Tip:
If you are facing a delay and have an upcoming trip planned, the solution is to apply for a “re-entry visa”. Apply for it at the international department of your commune so you aren’t dependent on postal services when passing through passport control.
We will update this information immediately following the official end of the Bpost strike or any new government mandates.
