Best Dependent Visa Lawyers in Hasselt

About Dependent Visa Law in Hasselt, Belgium

A dependent visa in Belgium is commonly referred to as family reunification. It allows certain family members of a person who is lawfully living in Belgium to join and reside with the sponsor in Belgium. If the sponsor lives in Hasselt, the application follows Belgian federal immigration law, and practical steps like registration happen with the City of Hasselt.

Who may qualify depends on the sponsor’s status. Typical eligible family members include a spouse or registered partner, an unmarried partner in a durable and proven relationship, minor children, and in specific circumstances adult dependent children or dependent parents. The rules differ depending on whether the sponsor is a Belgian or EU citizen, or a non EU or non EEA national holding a residence permit or single permit in Belgium.

Most family members who are outside Belgium apply for a long stay type D visa through a Belgian embassy or consulate. After entry, they complete local registration in Hasselt and obtain a residence card. In some cases, a person already lawfully in Belgium can apply directly with the municipality and the Immigration Office. Processing involves both federal authorities and the local municipality.

The core requirements usually include proof of the family relationship, sufficient and stable means of subsistence, suitable accommodation, comprehensive health insurance, and in some cases a medical certificate and criminal record certificate. Some categories, such as recognized refugees, benefit from certain exemptions. Family reunification is carefully scrutinized to prevent marriages or partnerships of convenience.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Family reunification is paperwork heavy and time sensitive. A lawyer can help you avoid mistakes and protect your rights. People often seek legal help for complex family situations, missing or difficult civil documents, or when evidence must be legalized and translated for Belgian authorities. A lawyer can assess whether your relationship and dependency meet legal standards and how to present proof correctly.

Refusals and delays happen. If the Immigration Office or a consulate refuses your visa or residence, strict appeal deadlines apply. A lawyer can prepare an administrative appeal to the Council for Alien Law Litigation and request suspension if needed. Counsel is also helpful for cases involving prior overstays, criminal record issues, or doubts about sufficient income or housing.

Changes after arrival can be delicate. A lawyer can advise on work rights for dependents, study, travel in Schengen, renewal of the residence card, and how your status is affected if the sponsor changes job, loses status, relocates, or becomes a long term resident. If a relationship breaks down or domestic violence occurs, there are protective rules that may allow you to keep or switch your residence status. Legal advice should be sought immediately in such cases.

Local Laws Overview

Belgian immigration is governed at the federal level, primarily by the Immigration Office and the Aliens Act and related Royal Decrees. EU free movement rules apply for family members of EU citizens residing in Belgium. For non EU sponsors, Belgian national rules on family reunification apply, including checks on the genuineness of the relationship and on means and housing.

In Flanders, including Hasselt, civic integration obligations may apply. Newcomers can be invited or required to follow an integration trajectory that includes language and orientation courses. This is separate from the immigration decision but can affect your long term stay and integration in the community.

When you arrive in Hasselt on a family reunification visa, you must register with the City of Hasselt within a short time after arrival. A home visit by the local police usually verifies your residence. If approved, the municipality issues a residence card. The type of card and its duration depend on your sponsor’s status. For family members of EU citizens, the card is typically labelled F or F plus. For family members of non EU sponsors, it is normally an A card tied to the sponsor’s permit.

Income and housing are judged against Belgian standards. The sponsor generally must demonstrate stable, regular, and sufficient resources without relying on social assistance, and suitable accommodation in Hasselt that meets health and safety norms. Some categories, like recognized refugees, may be exempt from certain documentary requirements. Health insurance covering care in Belgium is required.

Processing times vary by case. Many applications are decided within several months, but complex cases can take longer. Deadlines for appeals are short. Fees apply, including a federal retribution fee and municipal fees for residence cards. Amounts change from time to time, and some applicants are exempt.

Work rights for dependents depend on the sponsor and the card issued. Many family members of workers and EU citizens have access to the labor market without a separate permit. The residence card will indicate your work status. After several years of legal stay, some family members can qualify for long term residence, subject to conditions on duration of stay, integration, and resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who counts as a dependent for family reunification in Belgium?

Typically a spouse or registered partner, an unmarried partner in a durable relationship, minor children including adopted children, and sometimes adult dependent children or dependent parents can qualify. The exact list and proofs required depend on whether the sponsor is an EU citizen, a Belgian citizen, or a non EU national with a residence permit.

Do I need to apply from abroad or can I apply in Belgium?

Most applicants outside Belgium apply for a long stay type D visa at a Belgian embassy or consulate. Some people who are already lawfully in Belgium on another status can apply at the municipality. Your pathway depends on your current legal stay, your sponsor’s status, and whether you meet the conditions at the time of filing.

How long does the process take?

Processing often takes several months. Federal authorities can extend the review when additional checks are needed. Local steps in Hasselt, like the police home visit and residence card production, also take time. Plan for a multi month process and avoid travel that could cause you to miss appointments.

What documents will I need?

You usually need a valid passport, proof of the family relationship such as a marriage certificate, birth certificates for children, proof of a durable partnership if not married, proof of the sponsor’s legal stay in Belgium, evidence of sufficient means, suitable accommodation, health insurance, a medical certificate, and a criminal record certificate for adults. Foreign documents commonly must be legalized or apostilled and translated by a sworn translator.

How do I legalize and translate my documents?

Legalization is done by the issuing country’s authorities and often confirmed by Belgian diplomatic services. Apostille may be used if your country is part of the Hague Apostille Convention. Belgium usually requires certified translations into Dutch, French, or German by a sworn translator recognized in Belgium. Check in advance which language Hasselt accepts. In Hasselt, Dutch is the working language.

What are the income and housing requirements?

The sponsor must demonstrate stable, regular, and sufficient means of subsistence without relying on social assistance. Suitable accommodation in Hasselt is also required and may be verified. Evidence can include employment contracts, pay slips, tax assessments, rental or ownership documents, and attestations of health insurance. Thresholds and proofs vary by case, and some categories have exemptions.

Can I work in Belgium as a dependent?

Many family members have access to the labor market without a separate work permit, especially family members of EU citizens or of non EU workers who hold a single permit. Your residence card indicates whether work is unrestricted or restricted. If in doubt, ask the municipality or seek legal advice before starting work.

What happens after I arrive in Hasselt?

You must register with the City of Hasselt within a short period after arrival. Expect a police visit to confirm your residence. Once registration is approved, you will be issued a residence card. Keep your address information up to date with the municipality and renew your card before it expires.

What if my visa or residence application is refused?

You can challenge a refusal, but you must act quickly. Strict deadlines apply for filing an appeal with the Council for Alien Law Litigation. A lawyer can review the reasons for refusal, advise on additional evidence, and represent you in the appeal. Sometimes refiling with stronger documents is possible. Do not ignore deadlines.

What if the relationship ends or there is domestic violence?

Belgian law allows retention or change of status in certain situations, including relationship breakdown after a period of cohabitation or in cases of domestic violence. Evidence is required and timelines are important. Seek legal advice immediately to protect your residence rights and personal safety.

Additional Resources

Belgian Immigration Office - Dienst Vreemdelingenzaken. Federal authority that decides on many family reunification applications and residence matters.

Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs. Belgian embassies and consulates process long stay visa D applications abroad.

City of Hasselt - Dienst Burgerzaken - Vreemdelingen. Handles local registration, police address checks, and residence cards for residents of Hasselt.

Agentschap Integratie en Inburgering Limburg. Provides civic integration trajectories, language courses, and information for newcomers in Flanders.

Balie Limburg. The bar association for the Limburg judicial district, useful for finding immigration lawyers in or near Hasselt.

Bureau voor Juridische Bijstand Limburg. Provides information on legal aid eligibility for low income applicants.

OCMW Hasselt - Public Center for Social Welfare. Can advise on social support and may provide guidance on housing or health insurance matters.

Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen. Offers information and support for refugees and can refer to specialized services for family reunification.

Myria - Federal Migration Centre. Publishes guidance and reports on migration and can be a useful information source.

Next Steps

Clarify the sponsor’s status in Belgium, since it determines which family rules apply and what proofs are needed. Check passport validity for all family members and start gathering civil status documents early, as legalization and translation can take time.

Assess income, housing, and health insurance. If documents are missing or difficult to obtain, discuss alternatives with a lawyer before filing. Keep copies of everything and maintain a simple case file with timelines and receipts.

Decide where to apply. If you are abroad, plan for a type D visa application at a Belgian consulate. If you are lawfully in Belgium, ask whether you can file in Hasselt. Book appointments early and attend all biometrics and municipal visits.

Consult an immigration lawyer in or near Hasselt for a document checklist tailored to your situation, a strategy to reduce delays, and help with appeals if needed. Ask about fees and whether you qualify for legal aid. Given strict deadlines, contact a lawyer immediately if you receive a refusal or a request for additional information.

Important notice. This guide provides general information only. It is not legal advice. Family reunification rules change and how they apply depends on your specific facts. Always verify current requirements with the competent authorities or a qualified lawyer before you act.