Following the law of 11 July 2021, the law of 15 December 1980 has been modified in order to allow a partial transposition of Directive 2016/801 of the European Parliament and of the Council. Thus, a third-country national who has studied in Belgium will be able to stay for an additional year in order to look for a job or to set up a company. Can all students benefit from this measure? What are the conditions? What are the rights and duties of these nationals? The Expat Welcome Desk explains it all to you.
FOR WHOM?
As of 15 August 2021, a non-EU citizen who holds a residence permit as a non-EU student and who, at the end of the academic year 2020-2021, has obtained at least a diploma of graduate, bachelor or master, can apply for a residence permit valid for 12 months to look for a job or to exercise a self-employed activity. The foreigner who obtained this degree abroad, but who studied for a period in Belgium during a mobility programme, is also covered by this measure.