Belgium

Which ministry has overall responsibility?	General migration policy The Immigration Office, part of the Federal Public Service Interior, is responsible for the access to the territory, residence, establishment and return of foreign nationals. The Immigration Office grants authorisations to stay and issues visas and residence permits. Economic migration policy Economic migration is a regional competence since the State Reform of 2014. The regional departments grant authorisations to work and authorisations to exercise a self-employed activity. The departments of economic migration are part of: Flemish Department of Work and Social Economy Walloon Public Service of Employment and Professional Training Brussels Regional Public Service Economy and Employment German-speaking Community
Are there other ministries involved?	Visas The Federal Public Service for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation is responsible for Belgium’s external relations. Its diplomatic and consular posts are responsible for receiving visa applications and delivering visas for collection. Secondment The Federal Public Service for Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue ensures the balance between employees and employers in their employment relationship. Its liaison office is responsible for providing information to employers and workers posted in Belgium about general questions regarding labour law. Enterprise counters The Federal Public Service (FPS) for the Economy, SMEs, Self-employed and Energy creates the conditions for a competitive, sustainable and balanced functioning of the Belgian market of goods and services. The FPS is responsible for the accreditation of the enterprise counters. Education policy The Communities are responsible for the general education policy.
Are there decentralised institutions involved?	Municipalities The municipalities are responsible for the issuance of single permits to foreign nationals residing in their territory. Enterprise counters The accredited enterprise counters function as single points of contact for enterprises in Belgium. The counters provide various services, including the issuance of professional cards to foreign nationals.
What are the implementing agencies?	N/A.
Are there general immigration policy papers?	General Policy Note on Asylum and Migration by the State Secretary or Minister for Asylum and Migration Annual Report ‘Migration in Figures and Rights’ by the Federal Migration Centre Myria
Are there impact assessments, studies and reports available?	Annual Statistical Reports by the Belgian Immigration Office Annual Report on Migration and Asylum in Belgium by the European Migration Network Belgium Annual Report ‘Migration in Figures and Rights’ by the Federal Migration Centre Myria
What is the key legislation?	Federal legislation Law of 15 December 1980 on the access to the territory, residence, establishment and removal of foreign nationals (Immigration Act) Royal Decree of 8 October 1981 on the access to the territory, residence, establishment and removal of foreign nationals Flanders Decision of the Flemish Government of 7 December 2018 concerning the execution of the Law of 30 April 1999 on the employment of foreign workers Wallonia Decision of the Walloon Government of 16 May 2019 concerning the employment of foreign nationals and cancelling the Royal Decree of 9 June 1999 Brussels Capital Region Decision of the Government of Brussels Capital Region of 16 May 2019 modifying the Royal Decree of 9 June 1999 concerning the employment of foreign workers German-speaking Community Decision of the Government of 23 May 2019 modifying the Royal Decree of 9 June 1999 concerning the employment of foreign workers
What are the national scientific research and statistical offices on immigration?	Federal Migration Centre Myria Myria is an independent public institution with three mandates: informing the authorities about the nature and extent of migratory flows, protecting the fundamental rights of foreign nationals and promoting the fight against trafficking and smuggling of human beings. European Migration Network Belgium EMN Belgium, the National Contact Point of the European Migration Network, provides up-to-date, objective, reliable and comparable information on migration and asylum to support policymaking at the national and EU level and to inform the general public.