Best Dependent Visa Lawyers in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre - Sint-Pieters-Woluwe

About Dependent Visa Law in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre - Sint-Pieters-Woluwe, Belgium

In Belgium, what many people call a dependent visa is generally handled under family reunification rules. These rules allow certain family members to join a sponsor who is lawfully living in Belgium. The sponsor can be a Belgian citizen, an EU or EEA or Swiss citizen exercising free movement rights, or a non-EU national who holds a Belgian residence permit such as a single permit, EU Blue Card, researcher permit, or student permit. The federal authorities decide on visas and residence rights, while your local commune handles registration after arrival. In Woluwe-Saint-Pierre - Sint-Pieters-Woluwe, the municipal Foreigners Service manages registrations, address checks, residence cards, and renewals once the federal decision allows residence.

Applications typically start outside Belgium with a long-stay visa D at a Belgian embassy. Some family members can apply from within Belgium depending on their situation. After arrival, you must register at the commune within eight days, complete a police address check, and give biometrics before a residence card can be issued. Family reunification conditions and documents depend on the sponsor’s status and the family relationship. Common proofs include marriage or birth certificates, registered partnership or legal cohabitation documents, evidence of a genuine and durable relationship, sufficient resources, suitable housing, and health insurance. Most foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and translated by a sworn translator into French or Dutch for use in Brussels.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Family reunification is rule heavy and deadline sensitive. A lawyer can help if your situation is complex, if you have tight timelines, or if you have a risk of refusal. Common reasons to seek legal help include unclear eligibility for partners in non-marital relationships, prior immigration history that includes overstays or refusals, questions about custody or parental consent for minor children, the need to prove a genuine and durable relationship, differences in rules for family of Belgians compared to family of EU citizens or non-EU residents, criminal record or public order questions, missing or hard to obtain civil status documents, legalization and translation issues, and changing status while in Belgium. A lawyer is also important if you need to appeal a refusal or an order to leave, because appeal windows are short and the process is formal. Lawyers can advise on local commune practice in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre - Sint-Pieters-Woluwe, prepare you for the police address check, and coordinate with the federal Immigration Office.

Local Laws Overview

Belgian family reunification rules are set by federal law and EU law. For family of EU or EEA or Swiss citizens living in Belgium, EU free movement rules apply. The family member typically applies for a visa D and, after arrival, a residence card F. The EU sponsor must be a worker, self employed, student, or have sufficient resources and comprehensive health insurance. Generally accepted family members include a spouse, a registered partner recognized as equivalent to marriage under Belgian rules, children under 21 or dependent, and dependent ascendants. The decision on EU family residence is usually made within six months.

For family of Belgian citizens, national rules apply and are stricter than EU free movement in several respects. The sponsor usually must show stable, regular, and sufficient resources, suitable housing, and health insurance. The joining family member applies for a visa D and, after arrival, receives a residence card type A that can later be renewed and converted. Proof of a genuine and lasting relationship is critical, and marriages of convenience and fraud are actively checked.

For family of non-EU residents, the sponsor must hold a valid Belgian residence permit such as a single permit, EU Blue Card, researcher permit, long term resident permit, or student permit. Conditions vary by sponsor category. Common requirements include a valid family link, adequate housing, sufficient resources, and health insurance. The Immigration Office has up to nine months to decide, which can be extended in complex cases. After a positive decision and arrival, the dependent usually receives a residence card A that is renewable. After several years of lawful residence and meeting conditions, long term residence may be possible.

Documents must generally be recent, legalized or apostilled, and translated into French or Dutch by a sworn translator. In Brussels, French or Dutch is acceptable. The commune will collect biometrics and conduct a home visit to verify residence. Administrative fees apply at the federal level for many applications, with some exemptions for minors and protected categories. The commune also charges production fees for residence cards. If a decision is negative, you may appeal to the Council for Alien Law Litigation within strict deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who qualifies as a dependent for family reunification in Belgium

Belgian law recognizes spouses, registered partners if recognized as equivalent or legal cohabitants under Belgian rules, minor children, certain dependent adult children, and in some cases dependent parents. Eligibility depends on the sponsor’s status. Evidence of a genuine and durable relationship is required for partners. Polygamous marriages are not recognized for reunification.

Do I apply from abroad or can I apply in Belgium

Most applicants apply for a visa D at a Belgian embassy or consulate before traveling. Some can apply from within Belgium if they already hold lawful stay or if specific exceptions apply. Always verify your category before traveling to avoid an order to leave.

How long does processing take

Processing varies. For family of EU citizens, decisions are usually made within six months. For family of non-EU residents, the Immigration Office has up to nine months, which can be extended in complex cases. Embassy visa issuance time is separate and can add several weeks. Local commune steps after arrival also take time for registration and card issuance.

What documents are typically required

You should expect to provide a valid passport, recent marriage or birth certificates, proof of registered partnership or legal cohabitation if applicable, proof of the sponsor’s residence status, proof of sufficient resources and housing where required, comprehensive health insurance, a medical certificate, and a criminal record certificate where applicable. Documents from abroad usually need legalization or apostille and an official translation into French or Dutch.

Do dependents have the right to work

Many family members have access to the Belgian labor market. The back of your residence card indicates this. For EU family members with an F card, access is generally unrestricted. For family of non-EU residents with an A card, access is often unrestricted if the card states labor market unlimited. Always check the annotation on your card and consult the commune if it is missing.

What happens after arrival in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre - Sint-Pieters-Woluwe

You must register at the commune within eight days. The Foreigners Service will take biometrics, start an address check by the local police, and issue a certificate of registration if applicable. After a positive federal decision and verification of address, the residence card is ordered. You will be invited to collect it when ready.

Are translations and legalizations really necessary

Yes. Belgian authorities require foreign civil status documents to be legalized or apostilled and translated by a sworn translator into French or Dutch. In Brussels, either language is acceptable. Submitting documents without proper legalization or translation is a common reason for delays or refusals.

Can I appeal a refusal

Yes. You can appeal to the Council for Alien Law Litigation. Deadlines are short and depend on the type of decision, so seek legal advice immediately. In some cases, you can also provide additional documents to the Immigration Office if requested during the procedure.

Does separation or divorce affect my residence

Separation or divorce can affect residence rights. The impact depends on your sponsor’s status, the duration of your marriage or partnership, and whether you have children or have suffered domestic violence. Belgian law provides limited retention of residence rights in specific cases. Get legal advice before making decisions about your status.

What fees should I expect

There may be a federal administrative contribution for the application, visa handling fees at the embassy, and commune fees for residence card production. Some applicants are exempt from certain fees, for example minors or recognized refugees’ family members in specific situations. Keep receipts and proof of payment.

Additional Resources

Useful public bodies include the Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs for visas, the Immigration Office for family reunification decisions, and the municipal Foreigners Service in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre - Sint-Pieters-Woluwe for registrations and residence cards. For free movement cases, EU residence rules apply. For integration and settlement support in Brussels, you can contact the regional civic integration agencies in French or Dutch. For legal help, the Brussels Legal Aid Bureaus can assist eligible applicants. Non governmental organizations in Brussels that support migrants and refugees can also provide guidance on documentation and family procedures.

Next Steps

Clarify your sponsor’s status and identify which family reunification category applies. Gather civil status documents early and verify legalization or apostille requirements and the need for sworn translations into French or Dutch. Prepare evidence of a genuine relationship and, if required, proof of sufficient resources, housing, and health insurance. If you are abroad, arrange a visa D appointment at the competent Belgian embassy. If you are in Belgium, check if in country application is allowed for your case. Plan for registration at the Woluwe-Saint-Pierre - Sint-Pieters-Woluwe commune within eight days of arrival and be available for the police address check. Keep copies of everything you submit and all payment proofs. If you face deadlines, complex facts, or a refusal, consult a lawyer experienced in Belgian family reunification. A local practitioner can anticipate commune practice, manage communication with the Immigration Office, and protect your rights on appeal if needed.