Renewal of your residence card (A-card)

International students holding an A card in Belgium, who wish to continue their studies in Belgium can start the renewal of your legal residence in Belgium 90 days before the expiry date and no later than 15 days before the expiry date of your current residence card.
As most student residence cards expire at the end of the academic year, this makes it the busiest period for local authorities, and you should expect waiting times.

Which documents do you need?

Model van het standaardformulier (attached to your re-enrollment document) available in Oasis after re-enrolment for the next academic year once your transcript of records is available in Oasis.
Study progress report (not mandatory for PhD students)
If you are a third country national and your results turn out to be less successful, please be aware that local authorities are required to forward your residency renewal application to the Immigration Office (DVZ), who will assess whether studies are being extended abusively and might terminate the legal residence (not for PhD students). Read this.

However, there is no need to worry. There is an opportunity to give extra information or documents useful in assessing whether studies are being extended abusively:
• The progress report must explain why you did not pass for all exams (illness, special status, academic level, personal, … )
• The standard form (available with your re-enrolment document) must explain why you are not enrolled for a full time study program of minimum 54 credits (graduation year, special status, …)

This information must be provided by your Faculty Student Administration (FSA) who should write down your motivation as detailed as possible on the above mentioned forms, once available via Oasis.
Remark: The FSA will not be able to give you information or advise you about your legal stay.
Proof of sufficient means of subsistence
Students who want to extend or open a blocked account at Ghent University for their residence renewal should start this process early. Many students will do this at the same time, and we want to ensure everything can be arranged on time for everyone. More information can be found on the solvency webpages.
A-Card from the past academic year
Valid passport or EU ID-card
Proof of health insurance

Planning to go abroad while renewing your residence permit?

Students who are planning to travel abroad (e.g. exchange abroad), and might risk not obtaining the renewal of your legal residence in time, make sure to begin your renewal well in advance or contact your local city hall to discuss this matter.
If needed, (for example, if you are unable to re-enrol yet) you can request a certificate from your faculty’s student administration or international office to support your application.

Migration Office in your town of residence

Ghent	Register as an international student - Stad Gent	migratie@stad.gent
Antwerp	Application for residence permit - E-loket - Antwerpen.be	Online contact form
Bruges	Application for foreign students	nietbelgen@brugge.be
Brussels	Registration of a foreigner (card application) - City of Brussels	Non-EU: NEU@brucity.be EU: europa@brucity.be
Kortrijk	Registration foreign students - Kortrijk	burgerzaken@kortrijk.be
Leuven	Registration as a foreign student - Stad Leuven	nietbelgen@leuven.be

Need extra help with your Residence Permit application?

For non-standard situations, you might need some extra information or advise. You can contact your local city hall students.visa@ugent.be