Belgium: Immigration

Belgium has introduced new immigration rules for frontier workers, replacing the Annex 15 with Annex 64 and implementing specific D visa requirements for UK-based workers. Third-country nationals working in Belgium while residing in neighboring countries must now navigate updated entry and exit procedures, with different requirements based on their country of residence and nationality status.

Starting September 1, 2026, employers in the Flemish Region will face a new EUR 180 fee for each single permit application, adding to the existing federal charge and bringing the total cost to EUR 332 per application. This regional retribution covers administrative processing costs and applies to both initial applications and renewals, with no refunds for refused applications. Employers planning to submit applications should consider doing so before the September deadline to avoid the additional expense.

This bi-monthly update examines recent developments in immigration and global mobility law across multiple jurisdictions, including EU social security coordination agreements, Hong Kong's wealth and mobility hub initiatives, Czech Republic's talent attraction programs, and visa policy changes in Brazil, Chile, and Sweden.

Belgium has introduced new immigration rules for frontier workers, replacing the Annex 15 with Annex 64 and implementing specific D visa requirements for UK-based workers. Third-country nationals working in Belgium while residing in neighboring countries must now navigate updated entry and exit procedures, with different requirements based on their country of residence and nationality status.

Starting September 1, 2026, employers in the Flemish Region will face a new EUR 180 fee for each single permit application, adding to the existing federal charge and bringing the total cost to EUR 332 per application. This regional retribution covers administrative processing costs and applies to both initial applications and renewals, with no refunds for refused applications. Employers planning to submit applications should consider doing so before the September deadline to avoid the additional expense.

This bi-monthly update examines recent developments in immigration and global mobility law across multiple jurisdictions, including EU social security coordination agreements, Hong Kong's wealth and mobility hub initiatives, Czech Republic's talent attraction programs, and visa policy changes in Brazil, Chile, and Sweden.