Belgium Seasonal Worker Permit 2024 – Visa Process

You can stay in Belgium if your boss can show that they can’t find a good Belgian worker for the seasonal work and you get a Belgium Seasonal Worker Permit. The European Migration Network (EMN) says that most casual workers from Ghana, Nepal, Bangladesh, Kosovo, Morocco, Nigeria, Mali, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka are coming to Belgium to work. But anyone from a country that isn’t in the EU can apply.

You can work in the catering sector, the horticulture sector, or the farming sector. A “Single Permit” will be given to you. You can work and live in the country with this one pass. You will then be able to go to the Belgium office and apply for a long-stay visa type D. An A-card, which is proof of temporary residence, will be given to you when you get to Belgium. Below are more specifics about the job standards, the salary range, and how to apply.

Check Also: UK Seasonal Worker Visa 2024 – Temporary Work Visa

Who is Eligible for the Belgium Seasonal Work Permit?

Third-country nationals (outside Europe) whose main residence stays outside of the European Union.

Duration of a Permit

• Short Stay (up to 90 days)
• Long stay (more than 90 days, but maximum 150/365 days).

Salary of a Seasonal Worker in Belgium

• Based on a 38-hour work week, Belgium’s minimum wage in 2020 will be €1,593 per month.
• In the Agriculture sector: €9.45/hour
• Horticulture Sector: €9.26 and €11.33/hour

Application Procedure for a Belgium Seasonal Work Permit (Single Permit Application)

• If you want to work as a summer worker for a long time, you need a seasonal worker permit. Your boss needs to fill out the “Single Permit Application” in this case.
• Your boss uses the single permit application to ask the right regional authority for a summer work permit.
• Both the permission to stay (component “residence”) and the permission to work (component “work”) are part of the same application process.
• For your work pass to be approved, your boss needs to send in some paperwork. If this is your first time working as a contract worker in Belgium, it will take 90 days.
• Once both the regional authority and the immigration office agree that you can work and stay, you will be given a choice to grant a single permit.

Benefits of Belgium Seasonal Worker Permit:

• Employment Opportunities: The permit enables foreign workers to engage in seasonal employment in Belgium, notably in sectors such as agriculture, horticulture, and tourism, where there is a high demand for seasonal labor.
• Legal Employment: The permit ensures the lawful employment of workers, granting them the right to work in Belgium for a specified period and providing them with legal protections.
• Competitive Wages: Seasonal laborers in Belgium frequently receive competitive wages that are significantly higher than those in numerous other countries, enabling them to make substantial savings.
• Social Security Benefits: Workers are entitled to specific social security benefits, such as health insurance and pension contributions, which offer financial and medical security.
• Safe Working Conditions: Belgium’s labor regulations are rigorous, ensuring that workers are safeguarded from exploitation and unsafe practices.
• Cultural Experience: Working in Belgium provides an opportunity to immerse oneself in the culture, traditions, and languages of Europe, which can significantly enhance one’s personal and professional life.
• Skill Development: Seasonal employment can be advantageous for future employment by fostering the development of a variety of skills, including time management, collaboration, and job-specific abilities.
• Networking Opportunities: Seasonal laborers have the potential to establish professional networks and relationships that could result in future job opportunities or permanent positions in Belgium or other countries.
• Accommodation and Meals: A significant number of employers offer accommodation and meals to seasonal laborers, which reduces living expenses and facilitates the process of saving money.
• Work-Life Balance: Seasonal employment frequently involves structured schedules, which enable employees to maintain a positive work-life balance and explore the country during their leisure time.
• Pathway to Permanent Residency: Seasonal employment in Belgium may serve as a preliminary step to more permanent employment opportunities, which may ultimately result in the possibility of obtaining long-term residency.
• Language Skills: The opportunity to acquire or enhance language skills in French, Dutch, or German is a valuable asset for personal and professional development when working in Belgium.
• Travel Opportunities: Belgium’s central location in Europe and its well-connected transport system facilitate the exploration of other European countries during leisure time.
• Access to Public Services: Seasonal laborers are granted access to Belgium’s public services, which include healthcare and public transportation, thereby improving their living conditions.
• Economic Stability: Belgium’s economy is both robust and stable, ensuring that workers have access to a dependable labor market and financial security.
• Integration Programs: A variety of resources and programs are available to assist seasonal laborers in assimilating into Belgian society, such as cultural orientation sessions and language courses.
• Employee Rights: Belgian labor laws safeguard the rights of employees, guaranteeing that they are treated fairly, receive punctual payment, and have the right to rest periods and holidays.
• Supportive Community: Belgium is renowned for its warm and supportive communities, which facilitate the integration and sense of belonging of foreign laborers.
• Environmental Quality: Belgium provides a clean and healthy living environment with a plethora of green spaces and high environmental standards.
• Recognition of Experience: The experience you have acquired through seasonal work in Belgium can be highly valued by future employers, which can improve your job prospects and resume.

Documents that need to be submitted by your employer for a Single Permit

• Completed and signed application form.
• Employment evidence.
• Identity document of your employer.
• Employment contract.
• International passport copy for the employee.
• Proof of financial resources.
• Clean criminal record certificate.
• Medical certificate.
• Health insurance proof.
• Accommodation proof.
• Administration Fee.

Apply for the Type D Visa:

Once the applicant hears back about the work permit, they need to get a visa to fly to Belgium. Once your request for a single permit has been accepted, he or she can then make the visa request.

The seasonal worker must apply for this visa (Visa D) at the Belgian foreign or consular post in the country where they live. A long-stay visa with the number “B36” on it will be given to you. This visa is good for more than 90 days.

• The list of consulates and offices in other countries.
• Note: Most embassies and consulates work with a third-party service provider like VFS Global or TLS Contact.

Get a Temporary Residence Permit:

When you get to Belgium, you have eight working days to register with the town where you will be living. You get a paper for temporary residence. Get your A-card, which is a seasonal worker pass. The A-Card, which is also called a “single permit with a limited duration,”

Conclusion:

Find out how to get a Belgium Seasonal Worker Permit as a person who is not from the EU. This guide gives a step-by-step overview of everything needed to get a job in Belgium’s farming, gardening, or catering industries, from the requirements to the application process. If you know how long the job will last, how much you can expect to be paid, and what paperwork you need, you can start looking for casual work in Belgium.

Frequently Asked Questions: