Skip to main content

Residence permit

You are an international student who wants to study at AP? Great news! Bear in mind however that you need to apply for a residence permit. You need to follow a different procedure, depending on your country of residence.

Residence permit

International students who are staying in Belgium for more than three months, have to apply for a residence permit. If you don’t live in Antwerp you have to contact the local offices.

For students who live in Antwerp or the districts of Antwerp, there is a cooperation between AP and the Immigration office of Antwerp. You have to follow one of the four procedures:

  • Students form a neighbouring country (France, Germany, the Netherlands, Luxembourg) and the UK
  • Students from a EU/EEA country
  • Students from a non-EU/non-EEA country
  • Stay of 1 semester for EU/EEA countries

Please add (BS) to the subject line of every mail communication to studentadministration@ap.be regarding your residence permit.

    From a neighbouring country?

    Application

    This procedure can be followed by students who officially reside in one of the neighbouring countries of Belgium and the UK and who are staying in Antwerp on a temporary basis. If you want to be registered as a resident in Belgium you have to follow the procedure for students from a EU/EEA country and the procedure NON-EU/EEA country for UK students.

    The following documents are required for the application:

    • A completed, signed information sheet
    • A copy of your valid ID card or passport
    • Passport picture
    • Only for UK students:
      • A certificate of a grant, scholarship or loan provided by a international or national organisation (e.g. university); 
      • A ‘Pledge of financial support’ (annex 32). This pledge is a declaration from a sponsor; 
      • A blocked account (Proof of Solvency): this procedure consists of a set amount of money being transferred to the account of the school where the student is enrolled. Afterwards, the amount will be transferred back in parts on set times to the student’s Belgian account (which they need to open themselves). If the students follows this procedure, they will receive a proof of solvency from the school that can be used to apply for the D-visa. The Brussels’ Immigration Office recommends this approach. 

    Submit these documents to the Student Center by mail to studentadministration@ap.be, please add (BS) to the subject line of your mail.

    As soon as your file has been processed, you will receive an 'annex 33' bij email.

    Extension

    The following documents are required for the application:

    Submit these documents to the Student Center by mail to studentadministration@ap.be, please add (BS) to the subject line of your mail.

    From an EU/EEA country?

    Application

    The following documents are required for the application:

    • A completed, signed information sheet
    • A copy of your valid ID card or passport
    • A copy of the rental agreement for your accommodation in Antwerp
    • A proof of health insurance (copy of the European Health Insurance card)
    • A proof or declaration of sufficient financial means
      • Proof of subsidy, scholarship, financial guarantee
      • Declaration of honour indicating that you have sufficient financial means
      • A pledge of financial support (bijlage/annex 32)
      • Proof of own financing by means of a bank statement

    Submit these documents in either English, Dutch or French to the Student Center via studentadministration@ap.be, please add (BS) to the subject line of your mail. 

    As soon as your file has been processed, you will receive an 'appendix 19' by e-mail..

    In the next four weeks the police will control your residence. If the local agent determines that you actually live at the specified address, you can ask the Student Center to make an appointment for you at the Foreign Students desk. You can request this via studentadministration@ap.be, please add (BS) to the subject line of your mail. Please send a copy of the card you will receive to studentadministration@ap.be, once again add (BS) to the subject line of your mail. 

    Deregistration

    When you leave Belgium, you have to deregister as a resident of Antwerp, by submitting this document to the Student Center via studentadministration@ap.be, please add (BS) to the subject line of your mail.

    Not from an EU/EEA country?

    Application

    The following documents are required for the application:

    • A completed, signed information sheet
    • A copy of your valid ID card or passport
    • A copy of your visa
    • When you don’t have a D-visum, you also need to submit the following documents:
      • a medical certificate
      • a proof of sufficient financial means:
        • A certificate of a grant, scholarship or loan provided by a international or national organisation (e.g. university); 
        • A ‘Pledge of financial support’ (annex 32). This pledge is a declaration from a sponsor; 
        • A blocked account (Proof of Solvency): this procedure consists of a set amount of money being transferred to the account of the school where the student is enrolled. Afterwards, the amount will be transferred back in parts on set times to the student’s Belgian account (which they need to open themselves). If the students follows this procedure, they will receive a proof of solvency from the school that can be used to apply for the D-visa. The Brussels’ Immigration Office recommends this approach. 
      • a proof of a valid public or private health insurance for Belgium; a certificate of insurability (verklaring van lidmaatschap) of a Belgian health insurance provider
      • a proof of payment (if you don’t have a scholarship)
      • a proof of good behaviour and morals (if you’re older than 21 years).

    Submit these documents in either English, Dutch or French to the Student Center via studentadministration@ap.be, please add (BS) to the subject line of your mail. As soon as your file has been processed, you will receive an 'annex 15' by e-mail. 

    In the next four weeks the police will control your residence. If the local agent determines that you actually live at the specified address, you can ask the Student Center to make an appointment for you at the Foreign Students desk. You can make this request via studentadministration@ap.be, please add (BS) to the subject line of your mail.

    Please send a copy of the card you will receive to studentadministration@ap.be, add (BS) to the subject of your mail.

    Extension

    The following documents are required for an extension:

    • A completed, signed information sheet for extension for extension
    • A copy of your valid ID card or passport
    • A proof of sufficient financial means:
      • A certificate of a grant, scholarship or loan provided by a international or national organisation (e.g. university); 
      • A ‘Pledge of financial support’ (annex 32). This pledge is a declaration from a sponsor; 
      • A blocked account (Proof of Solvency): this procedure consists of a set amount of money being transferred to the account of the school where the student is enrolled. Afterwards, the amount will be transferred back in parts on set times to the student’s Belgian account (which they need to open themselves). If the students follows this procedure, they will receive a proof of solvency from the school that can be used to apply for the D-visa. The Brussels’ Immigration Office recommends this approach. 
    • Proof of a valid public or private health insurance for Belgium; a certificate of insurability (verklaring van lidmaatschap) of a Belgian health insurance provider

    Submit these documents in either English, Dutch or French to the Student Center via studentadministration@ap.be, please add (BS) to the subject line of your mail.

    You can start your application for an extension 6 weeks before the expiry date of your current residence permit. An application that is submitted too late is automatically declared inadmissible via an annex 29.

    Don't wait until September to apply for the blocked account and health insurance. Request the necessary documents in good time. Please note: from now on there is also a new annex 32, which you need for your application.

    Please send a copy of the card to studentadministration@ap.be, once again don't forget to add (BS) to the subject line.

    Deregistration

    When you leave Belgium, you have to deregister as a residence of Antwerp, by submitting this document to the Student Center via studentadministration@ap.be, please add (BS) to the subject line of your mail.

    Stay of 1 semester

    This procedure can be followed by students from EU/EEA countries who are staying in Belgium for only one semester

    The following documents are required for the application:

    Submit these documents to the Student Center via studentadministration@ap.be, please add (BS) to the subject line of your mail.

    You will receive a document ‘declaration of presence’ (‘annex 3ter’ for EU students).

     

    This procedure can be followed by students Not from an EU/EEA-country who are staying in Belgium for only one semester

    Erasmus Mobility Non-EEA nationals studying in a European Union country and who are coming to Belgium with Erasmus Mobility can benefit from a simplified application procedure for a temporary Belgian residence permit.

    Provided they meet the conditions below at least two months before the start of their stay:

     

    Mobility:

    What are the requirements?

    1. You have a residence permit from an EEA country which is valid for your entire mobility period in Belgium.
    2. You submit your complete application at least two months before the start of your mobility:
      • Start Mobility 1st semester: complete application file must be submitted by 17 July
      • Start Mobility 2nd semester: complete application file must be submitted before 1 December

     

    What documents do you need:

    • A colour copy of a valid passport;
    • A colour copy of a residence permit from an EEA country valid for the entire mobility period in Belgium;
    • Proof of valid health insurance for Belgium for the entire mobility period;
    • Proof of sufficient financial means for the entire mobility period, such as: a copy of a scholarship / a copy of the guarantor (legalised Annex 32) Or blocked account (proof of solvency - it is best to request this information at the beginning of June 2023 via studentadministration@ap.be with (BS) in the subject of your mail.

    Submit these documents to the Student Center via studentadministration@ap.be, please add (BS) to the subject line of your mail.

    After a positive decision from the immigration service, you will be notified that your application has been approved. Upon arrival in Belgium, you will receive your residence document 'Annex 33'* valid for your mobility period electronically.

    Attention: this is not a Belgian residence card but an additional residence document to your residence card from the other EU country. Always carry both with you. Working as a student is allowed. If you cannot present the required documentation according to the instructions mentioned above, then you must apply for a D visa to come to Belgium with Erasmus Mobility.

     

    If you do not meet the above conditions, you should follow the following procedure on the tab 'Not from an EU/EEA country?'

Contact Information

Campus Spoor Noord - Lichttoren

Student Center