Belgium - Family member - European Commission

Where and how to apply	Visa D Your family members can submit an application for family reunification to the Belgian diplomatic or consular post in their country of origin or country of residence. They need to submit a number of documents, including proof of payment of the administrative fee (see ‘Documents required’). The authorities take their fingerprints and a digital photo. Your family members receive a proof of submission (annex 15quinquies). You can check the status of your visa application online by entering your reference number and the location of the diplomatic or consular post. The Immigration Office needs to take a decision within 9 months. The processing time can be extended due to the complexity of your case or an inquiry in the context of marriages of convenience. If no decision has been taken within this (extended) period, the visa will be granted automatically. The diplomatic or consular post will inform your family members about the decision of the Immigration Office. If the family members who want to join you are from a third country whose nationals are not subject to visa requirements, they can travel to Belgium and apply for family reunification at the municipality during their legal stay.
Documents required	To apply for a residence permit, your family members must submit: the completed and signed visa application form; the international passports of your family members; a copy of your residence permit and passport; proof of the tie of kinship, marriage or partnership; a copy of the birth certificate of the family members joining; a standard medical certificate; a certificate attesting to the lack of any convictions for crimes or offences under common law (if your family members are 18 or older); proof of health insurance; proof of payment of the administrative fee (some persons are exempted from this requirement); proof of stable, regular and sufficient means of subsistence; a medical certificate issued by a doctor appointed by the Belgian diplomatic or consular post (only for disabled adult children).
Further requirements	Residence permit After your arrival in Belgium, your family members need to register at the municipality of their place of residence within 8 working days. The municipality issues a residence permit for a limited period of time (A-card).
Duration of validity of permit	The residence permit for family members is valid for 1 year. The permit is renewable.
Conditions for renewal	Your family members need to apply for renewal to the municipality of their place of residence between 45 and 30 days before their residence permit expires. In the first 5 years, you family members receive a residence permit for a limited period of time (A-card). After 5 years, they can apply for a single permit for an unlimited period of time (B-card).
Appeals	If your application for family reunification has been rejected by the Immigration Office, you can lodge an appeal against this decision before the Council for Alien Law Litigation (CALL) within 30 days after you received the decision.
Further information	Family reunification in Belgium Family reunification for beneficiaries of international protection in Belgium