The most important legislative changes in Belgium in the past year are the following :
1.1 Financial contribution for most of the residence or visa applications
As of March 2nd, 2015, the processing of some visa D applications and some residence applications require payment of a contribution either €215 (usual amount), € 160 (student and family reunification), or € 60 (long-term residents and certain family members).
Some foreigners are exempted: children under 18 years, EU citizens and their family members, asylum seekers, applicants for an authorization of residence based on a serious illness, unaccompanied minors, victims of human trafficking, …
1.2 Adaptations of some procedural rules of the Belgian first administrative jurisdiction for migration (Law April, 10th, 2014)
There were new rules regarding :
- the fast track procedure;
- the suspensive effect of the appeal in case of accelerated decision for asylum seekers coming from «safe countries of origin» ;
- the possibility for the applicant himself/herself to request the jurisdiction take decisions with all the chambers (General Assembly). This measure is attempting to address the unequal handling of the cases i.e. according to the language process: Dutch or French.
1.3 Voluntary work accessible to foreigners in precarious situations
Before, only workers exempted from the work permit obligation could work as volunteers. Now, all foreigners with a legal residence for more than 3 months and asylum seekers can do so.
Celine Verbrouck (
Avocate
+32(0)28944573 (direct line)