Forum Belgium

by **thiswildride** » Wed Jul 18, 2012 3:23 am

My husband and I are trying to become permanent residents of Belgium as soon as possible with an eye to retiring there as Belgian citizens. We are trying to get answers to several questions about the correct bureaucratic pathway:

--Can entry on retirement visas lead to an unrestricted permanent resident status?

--How do we show real ties to Belgium? Will purchase of a home there with a mortgage accomplish that? Do we need to start a business to show the real ties? Etc., etc.

We think that we need professional advise, but are reluctant to contact a large Belgian law firm because we don't want to spend 15,000 euros to get answers to a few questions.

Has anyone had experience with this set of questions? Can anyone recommend a reasonably priced Belgian immigration attorney?

Thanks.

LinkedIn · by **texkourgan** » Wed Jul 18, 2012 1:20 pm

Welcome to Easy Expat!

I assume you are both US Citizens? We just posted an article about Obtaining a Visa to Live, Study and Work in the Schengen Area which should be of value to you. In addition, there is an Expat guide to Brussels that has information on visas and more.

I sounds as if you would be applying for temporary residency in Belgium - is that right? The Embassy of Belgium in Washington, DC has advice on the subject: http://www.diplobel.us/travelingbelgium ... tirees.asp

"HOW TO APPLY?

Please submit the following documents in person:

1. A valid national passport (validity 15 months).

2.Two original visa application forms and three recent passport-size photographs.

Include three sets of the following documents (one original set of documents and two copies) collated and stapled:

The originals will be returned to you together with your passport and visa. You will need them to register at city hall in Belgium.

3. Language form : (in French, Dutch or German); Choose one of the forms and indicate your language preference (or no preference). The option you choose will be used by the Belgian Home Office to communicate its decision regarding your visa application. There is no English version of this document. Please retain a copy for your records.

Indicate your name: full name as it appears on your passport (nom du demandeur, naam visumaanvrager, name visumbewerber)
Number of the file will be indicated by this office (numéro du dossier – dossiernummer - aktenzeichen)
Indicate in what language you wish your file to be handled
have no preference (geen voorkeur, pas de preference, keiner sprache den vorzug)
prefer French (français, frans, französischer sprache)
prefer Dutch (néerlandais, nederlands, niederländischer sprache)
prefer German (allemand, duits, deutscher sprache)
Date the form (format : DAY MONTH YEAR (NOT: MONTH, DAY, YEAR)
Sign the form (no need to notarize it)

4. A medical certificate (MS Word) - (PDF) according to the model enclosed. For a list of doctors affiliated with the Embassy or the Consulate General, click here.

If you choose your family physician, the doctor's signature needs to be notarized. The medical document should be less than 3 months old from the date of your application.

5. a nationwide criminal history record (FBI Identi-fication Record) covering the last five years, obtained from the FBI CJIS Division (Record Request, 1000 Custer Hollow Road, Clarksburg, WV 26306), dated within six months of your date of application for the visa.

6. Proof of sufficient available funds and/or income, e.g. Social Security, bank letters, bank statements covering at least a period of 6 months, income from real estate properties, etc.

7. A letter stating why you wish to take up residency in Belgium, e.g. because you have family in Belgium or have been living there before. It is very important to show sufficient proof of ties to Belgium.

8. Written letters of reference from Belgium (names, address, telephone numbers, relationship).

9. A pre-paid envelope if you wish to have your passport and visa sent back to your home address. The embassy or Consulate General is not responsible for lost items during shipping.

10. Visa application fee (this price includes consular taxes and handling fees). "

I would recommend consulting directly with the embassy for the most up-to-date advice. Immigration attorneys are of course helpful, but costly. Do as mush research as possible on your own so that if you do need to consult a professional, you will know what is required and what exactly you need help with.

My last recommendation to chat with expats currently in Belgium through the expat network or check out expat blogs. Anyone else have advice? Best of luck!

by **thiswildride** » Thu Jul 19, 2012 7:13 am

Thank you, texkourgan, for your response. We've been through Easy Expats forum and help guides. We're heading to the consulate to get some more answers.

Thanks for the link too. Great resource.

by **back2be** » Sat Oct 13, 2012 5:32 pm

We are US citizens and interested in retiring to Belgium. I am interested in finding out if you have gotten answers to your questions. The requirements stated by the Belgium embassy states the need to show ties to Belgium including letters of reference from Belgium residents. What happens if you don't have persons to supply such letters, is it crucial? Thanks.

by **thiswildride** » Sat Oct 13, 2012 7:46 pm

Back2be,

we found that BE has no 'retirement' visa per se. they don't see themselves nor do they advertise themselves as a place of retirement. we instead are applying for a professional card so we can pay into the system for its wonderful coverage and make some extra money too. ties to BE also include financial like buying a house, car, business. but we're not clear on how much they consider 'enough'. good luck.

by **back2be** » Sat Oct 13, 2012 8:23 pm

Thanks for your reply. What do you mean they have no retirement visa? They indicate that they accept retirement applications. We have a daughter who speaks fluent french and wants to go to art university in brussels. That is one of the reasons for our interest. Did you ever apply for a retirement visa? Thanks.