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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 90 days have to apply for a residence permit or a declaration of presence. The residence card allows you to stay in Belgium for a fixed period of time.

For students who live in Antwerp or the districts of Antwerp, there is cooperation between AP and the Migration office of Antwerp. If you don´t live in Antwerp you have to contact the local offices.

Start your application as soon as possible (when you are in Belgium and have suitable accommodation). The process takes around 2 months, so don’t wait too long after arriving!

General information Procedures
Health insurance
Health insurance Bank account Work permit Taxes Change of address

If you are from an EEA country and you are insured by the public health care system in your home country, you can obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from your health insurance fund at home before coming to Belgium. If you have an EHIC, you don't have to join a Belgian health insurance fund and pay a contribution. More information can be found here.

If you do not have a European Health Insurance Card you need to send us a proof of affiliation (bewijs van lidmaatschap) from an Insurance Provider which covers your stay in Belgium.

If you are from a non-EEA country Health Insurance which covers you in Belgium is mandatory and you need to send us a proof of affiliation (bewijs van lidmaatschap). You are free to choose a private health insurance company in your home country, be sure that you are covered for your whole stay in Belgium/Europe. You will also be required to pay a contribution if you decide to use a Belgian health insurance provider.

IMPORTANT: you need your certificate of enrollment in order to be able to apply for your Health Insurance. You can download this document from your E-postbox in iBamaflex.

Belgian Insurance Providers

You can choose which Insurance company you want to join: 

  • CM (Christelijke Mutualiteit) : after registration you will receive an e-mail with further information to complete your application.
  • Helan: after registration you will receive an e-mail with further information to complete your application.
  • Solidaris
General information

When living and studying in Belgium, it is important to open a Belgian bank account as soon as possible. Make sure to arrive with sufficient funds in cash to cover your first expenses: opening an account can take several weeks.

Most banks only offer banking services to international students who have a legal residence in Belgium but it is possible to start an application to open a bank account even if you haven´t moved to Belgium yet. (ex. Wise, an online bank registered in Belgium)

Below are some options of banks where you can open an account, with information about the required documents. Of course, you are free to choose a bank of your choice.

  
KBC

Necessary documents

  • Valid ID or passport
  • Your Belgian residence permit (or annex 15 or 19 if you are still in the process of applying)   
  • Rental agreement
  • Enrolment certificate (you can download this from you iBamaflex E-Postbox)    

The other KBC offices cannot guarantee this service for international students. Always contact them for further information.  

BNP Paribas Fortis

Necessary documents   

  • Valid ID or passport   
  • Your Belgian residence permit (or annex 15 or 19 if you are still in the process of applying)
  • Rental agreement (signed by all parties and no older than 3 months)  
  • Enrolment certificate (you can download this from you iBamaflex E-Postbox)  
  • Certificate Proof of Solvency/Blocked account (if applicable)  
 
Revolut  Online bank -app

Necessary documents  

  • Valid proof of identity (ex. ID, passport, driver’s license, residence permit, type D-visa (Belgium) in combination with international passport)  
  • Certificate Proof of Solvency/Blocked account (if applicable)  

If you are -18 years old, then you can open an account with your guardian’s permission. More information at Revolut <18 - Revolut, built for teens | Revolut Belgium.

Wise  Online bank-app
  • Wise is an online bank, registered in Belgium, that offers banking services in nearly every country of the world as well as popular remittance services to all those countries. Students can open accounts in EUR, USD, GBP and several other currencies
  • Wise: open an account  

Necessary documents  

If you have the Russian nationality, they accept a D-visa for Belgium with a duration of at least 6 months.   

Who can work as a job student?

EEA nationals

Students who are nationals of one of the member states of the European Economic Area (EEA) as well as students with the Swiss nationality, may work as a job student. As a student, you are allowed to work a maximum of 600 hours without being subject to taxation.

Non-EEA nationals

It is not necessary to apply for a work permit. If you have a legal residence in Belgium and you have an electronic Residence Permit, that is sufficient. In case you received an ‘annex 15’ from the migration office while waiting for your actual Residence Permit, you can also use this document to work in Belgium. In case you are allowed to work it will be mentioned at the back of your Residence Card.

  • During the academic year: You are allowed to work but with a maximum of 20 hours per week.
  • During official school holidays: There is no limitation of 20 hours per week during school holidays.

The work needs to be compatible with your studies at all times. Working more than the allowed time may affect the extension of your Residence Permit since your main activity is not studying anymore.

For more information contact: socialservice@ap.be

NOT FOR STUDENTS WITH AN ANNEX 33 (procedure neighbouring country) and  ANNEX 19, ANNEX 3 SEPTIES (procedure stay for 1semester).

Income Tax (aangifte personenbelasting)

If you have a residence permit, you are considered a resident of Belgium and can receive tax letters during your stay.  It is important that you do not ignore these letters.

Due to a change in the tax regulations in 2022, it will no longer be possible for foreign students to apply for an exemption for the personal income tax.  Every foreign student is since 2022 tax liable and will therefore receive a tax form.

In March or April, following the year you worked, you will receive tax documents (in Dutch: fiscale fiche 281.10) from your employer. You need these documents to fill in your tax form. The paper tax form should be returned by the end of June.

If you have to pay taxes or not, depends on how much you have earned in the previous calendar year. If you income remains under a certain amount, you will not have to pay taxes. Every person over 18 and who has been living in Belgium since the previous year will have to complete and return the yearly tax declaration form, whether they have an income to declare or not.

You fill in the paper form which you have received and return it, after checking your personal details, before June 30th  to the tax authorities by sending it in the brown envelope. If you did not have an income in Belgium, you can just fill in the date and sign the document before sending it.

If you did not receive a tax form, you may have received a proposal of simplified declaration in a white envelop (in Dutch: ‘voorstel van vereenvoudigde aangifte’). This letter contains a simulation of the tax you will have to pay or the tax that will be refunded to you.

The calculation has been made by the tax administration based on the information the tax department already has about you.

  • If you approve with this proposal, you do not have to do anything.
  • If you do not approve with the proposal or the data which are given, you have to do the necessary corrections or adjustments on the answer form and send it back.
Antwerp Province Tax (only for residents of the province of Antwerp)

If you have a residence permit, you are considered a resident of Belgium and can receive tax letters during your stay. It is important that you do not ignore these letters.

Due to a change in the tax regulations in 2022, it will no longer be possible for foreign students to apply for an exemption for the province tax.  Every foreign student is since 2022 tax liable and will therefore receive a tax form.

The tax forms will be sent in the months of March and April.  Make sure you pay this tax in time to avoid further fines.

Did you move to or within Antwerp* during your studies? Report your change of address via the link below so that your new address can be updated on your official documents and your residence permit. 

Report address change: SmartLoket (For more information, please see the manual)

(*) This applies to the following postal codes:

  • 2000 - Antwerp
  • 2018 - Antwerp 1 (area between the Leien, Gemeentestraat, Carnotstraat and Singel)
  • 2020 - Antwerp 2 (Kiel)
  • 2030 - Antwerp 3 (Luchtbal)
  • 2040 - Antwerp 4 (Berendrecht-Zandvliet-Lillo)
  • 2050 - Antwerp 5 (Linkeroever)
  • 2060 - Antwerp 6 (Seefhoek)
  • 2100 - Deurne
  • 2140 - Borgerhout
  • 2170 - Merksem
  • 2180 - Ekeren
  • 2600 - Berchem
  • 2610 - Wilrijk
  • 2660 - Hoboken

If you have any further questions, please contact us via studentadministration@ap.be with (FS) in the subject of your email.

Neighbouring
Neighbouring EU/EEA Non EU/EEA - New application Non EU/EEA - Extension Stay of 1 semester Orientation year

This procedure will be operational from 1 September 2026

Application annex 33 and extension

This procedure can be followed by students who officially reside in one of the neighbouring countries of Belgium (France, The Netherlands, Germany & Luxembourg) 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.

The following documents are required for the application:

  • A completed, signed information sheet
  • A colour copy of your valid ID card or passport (front and back)
  • Passport picture
Procedure

As soon as your file has been processed, you will receive an annex 33' and an activation code by email to activate your Bis number. You have received an email from CSAM on your personal email with a link to activate your activation code.

What is CSAM? CSAM manages your digital keys to securely log in to the various government services. Logging in with your eID is the standard way to log in to the government, but for situations in which you cannot log in with your eID or it is not necessary, other digital keys can be used. When you already have a digital key, you will not receive new activation codes.

This procedure will be operational from 1 September 2026

Application

You must follow this procedure if you are from a member state of the European Economic Area (EEA) (EU + Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco & Switzerland).

This application can only be started with a fixed address and after arrival in Antwerp. If you are temporarily staying in a hostel or with friends, you cannot yet submit an application for a residence permit.

The following documents are required for the application: 

Procedure
  1.  As soon as your file has been processed, you will receive an annex 19'
  2. The police will come by for a residence check. This is a standard procedure to check whether you actually live at the given address. If you are not at home, the police will come by at another time or leave a message. 
  3. An appointment will be made at Gate 15 for the creation of your residence permit. Bring your original passport or identity card, your PIN and PUK code and Annex 19 that you received earlier.
  4. Two weeks later you can pick up your residence permit. This card is valid for 5 years.
  5. Submit a copy of your Residence Permit via studentadministration@ap.be and add (FS) in the subject of your mail.
Deregistration

When you permanently leave Belgium and stop your studies, you must deregister as a resident of Antwerp. Do not forget to deregister, otherwise you will remain a resident of Belgium for the Belgian authorities. This can have significant consequences for taxes, health insurance, etc.

Report your departure no earlier than 1 week and no later than 1 day before your departure via the Antwerp Smartloket. Since this is a Dutch website; please find hereby a manual to deregister.
 

This procedure will be operational from 1 September 2026

New application 

You follow this procedure if you are a member from (nationality) a state that does not belong to the European Union or European Economic Area (including the United Kingdom).

This application can only be started with a fixed address and after arrival in Antwerp. If you are temporarily staying in a hostel or with friends and you are still searching for a permanent address, you cannot yet submit an application for a residence permit.

The following documents are required for the application:

With D-Visa

  • a completed, signed information sheet
  • a copy of your valid ID card or passport (front and back)
  • a copy of your visa + copy of your entry stamp in Belgium:
    • If you have code B43 on your visa: you must provide proof of valid or private health insurance for Belgium. In case of Belgian health insurance, only the document 'declaration of membership' is valid. Click here for more information on this.
    • When you have Code B7 or Code B35 you need to provide a copy of your exchange certificate (B7) or mobility certificate (B35)

Without D-Visa

  • a completed, signed information sheet
  • a colour copy of your valid ID card or passport (front and back)
  • a colour copy of your C-Visa + copy of entry stamp in Belgium
  • a medical certificate
  • a proof of sufficient financial means (you can choose one of the following options):
    • A certificate of a grant, scholarship or loan provided by an international or national organisation (e.g. university);
    • Legalised Annex 32 (commitment to take charge)
    • A blocked account (Proof of Solvency)
  • 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. Click here for more information.
  • A proof of payment contibution fee (if you don’t have a scholarship) (more information at studentadministration@ap.be stating (FS) in the subject of your mail)
  • Extract from the criminal record (if you’re older than 18 years) if necessary translated and with apostille. )
  • Motivation letter why you came to Belgium without a D visa
     
How to apply?

Once you are registered and have your Sxxxxx@ap.be email address and password, you can start your application via these forms.

What happens after you have submitted your application for a residence permit:

  1. The Student Administration checks all your documents. As soon as your enrollment and study program for the 2026-2027 academic year are in order, we will forward your application to the Migration Office for Students.
  2. The Migration Office for Students checks your documents; you will receive feedback after approximately 8 weeks:
    • If all documents are in order, you will receive an Annex 15 and an appointment for your residence permit by email from the Student Administration to your AP email address.
    • If documents are missing or incorrect, the Migration Office will forward your file to the Brussels Immigration Office for a decision. Pending this decision, you will receive an Annex 15 by email from the Student Administration to your AP email address. This email will also explain why your file has been sent to the Brussels Immigration Office. It can sometimes take longer than 3 months before we receive a decision from the Brussels Immigration Office.
  3. The police will visit for a residence check. This is a standard procedure to verify whether you actually live at the address provided. If you are not at home, the police will visit at another time or leave a message. Make sure your name is clearly visible on your doorbell and mailbox! Send us an email when the police have visited you.
  4. An appointment will be made at the Student Migration Office to create your residence permit. Bring your original passport or identity card, your PIN and PUK codes, and the Annex 15 you received earlier.
  5. Two weeks later, you can pick up your residence permit. You must renew this residence card annually: start your renewal application as soon as your enrollment for the next academic year is finalized!
  6. Send us a copy of your residence permit via studentadministration@ap.be and add (FS) to the subject of your email.

Deregister

When you permanently leave Belgium and stop your studies, you must deregister as a resident of Antwerp. Do not forget to deregister, otherwise you will remain a resident of Belgium for the Belgian authorities. This can have significant consequences for taxes, health insurance, etc.

Report your departure no earlier than 1 week and no later than 1 day before your departure via the Antwerp Smartloket. 

Since this is a Dutch website; please find hereby a manual to deregister.

This procedure will be operational from 1 July 2026

Extension

The following documents are required for an extension:

  • A completed, signed information sheet for extension
  • A colour copy of your valid ID card or passport (front and back)
  • A proof of sufficient financial means (you can choose one of the following options)
    • A certificate of a grant, scholarship or loan provided by a international or national organisation (e.g. university);
    • Legalised Annex 32 (commitment to take charge)
    • A blocked account (Proof of Solvency)
  • Recent proof of a valid public or private health insurance for Belgium; a certificate of insurability (verklaring van lidmaatschap) of a Belgian health insurance provider. Click here for more information.
  • Only for students who have not participated in some or all exams in the academic year 2025-2026 (see your report): Motivation letter why you did not participate in all exams. If you have doctor's certificates, you can add them additionally to your motivation letter.
How to apply?

Once you are registered and have your Sxxxxx@ap.be email address and password, you can start your application via this form. 

You can start your application for an extension of your Residence Permit as soon as your enrollment for the next academic year is finalized. An application that is submitted too late is automatically declared inadmissible via an annex 29 and you have to follow the procedure 'New application residence permit without D-visa or C-Visa' again.

Don't wait until September to apply for the blocked account or annex 32 and health insurance. Request the necessary documents in time.

What happens after you have submitted your application for a residence permit:

  1. The Student Administration checks all your documents. As soon as your enrollment and study program for the 2026-2027 academic year are in order, we will forward your application to the Migration Office for Students.

  2. The Migration Office for Students checks your documents; you will receive feedback after approximately 8 weeks:

    • If all documents are in order, you will receive an Annex 15 and an appointment for your residence permit by email from the Student Administration to your AP email address.
    • If documents are missing or incorrect, the Migration Office will forward your file to the Brussels Immigration Office for a decision. Pending this decision, you will receive an Annex 15 by email from the Student Administration to your AP email address. This email will also explain why your file has been sent to the Brussels Immigration Office. It can sometimes take longer than 3 months before we receive a decision from the Brussels Immigration Office.

    Therefore, keep a close eye on your inbox during this period so that you do not miss any information; sometimes you need to add additional documents to your file. These documents must be submitted within a certain timeframe.

  3.  After your second appointment at the Migration Office for students, you can pick up your residence card. Send us a copy of your residence permit via studentenadministratie@ap.be and add (FS) to the subject of your email.
Deregister

When you permanently leave Belgium and stop your studies, you must deregister as a resident of Antwerp. Do not forget to deregister, otherwise you will remain a resident of Belgium for the Belgian authorities. This can have significant consequences for taxes, health insurance, etc.

Report your departure no earlier than 1 week and no later than 1 day before your departure via the Antwerp Smartloket. 

Since this is a Dutch website; please find hereby a manual to deregister.
 

This procedure will be operational from 1 September 2026

If you are an EU/EEA student staying for one semester only, you do not need to apply for a residence permit. It can take a long time to get a permit and you may not get it until you are about to return home. If you are staying for more than one semester, you do need to apply for a residence permit.

This application can only be started with a fixed address in Antwerp. If you are temporarily staying in a hostel or with friends, you cannot yet submit an application for a residence permit.

How to apply

The application for extension of the residence permit must be submitted at least 15 days before the expiry of the current residence permit. If your residence permit has expired at the time of application, you can no longer apply for the search year.

You can submit your application through this form.

The following documents are required for the application:

  • A completed, signed information sheet
  • A copy of your valid ID card or passport (front and back)
Procedure

As soon as your file has been processed, you will receive an Annex 19 and an Annex 3septies.

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 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 (front and back)
  • 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. Click here for more information.
  • A proof of sufficient financial means (you can choose one of the following options):
    • A certificate of a grant, scholarship or loan provided by an international or national organisation (e.g. university);
    • Legalised Annex 32 (commitment to take charge)
    • A blocked account (Proof of Solvency): It is best to request this information at the beginning of June 2026 via studentadministration@ap.be with (FS) in the subject of your mail.

Submit these documents to the Student Administration via studentadministration@ap.be. Please add each requested document in a separate PDF attachment and add (FS) to the subject line of your email.

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.

Please note: 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 procedure on the tab 'Not from an EU/EEA country'.

This procedure will be operational from 1 July 2026

You can apply for an extension of your residence permit after your studies (i.e., after graduation) for the purpose of seeking employment or starting a business. If you find a job that matches your diploma during the orientation year, you can apply for a combined permit (via Loket Migratie Deurne).

How to apply

The application for extension of the residence permit must be submitted at least 15 days before the expiry of the current residence permit. If your residence permit has expired at the time of application, you can no longer apply for the orientation year.

You can submit your application through this form.

You need to provide the following documents: 

  • A colour copy of your passport with all printed pages
  • Proof of sufficient subsistence:  
    • Own income (pay slips);
    • A new legalised Annex 32 (commitment to take charge);
    • A blocked account (Proof of Solvency)
  • Proof of valid health insurance in Belgium (recent document declaration of membership
  • Diploma (this is provided by the student administration, you do not need to do anything yourself)

Whats next?

  • If your application is validated by the Migration Office for Students, you will receive an Annex 33.
  • If your application is submitted too late it will automatically be declared inadmissible via an annex 29 and you will have to leave the country.