For prospects

Residence permit at arrival

Upon arrival every student without the Belgian nationality must contact the administration of the municipality where you will be staying (for Ghent).

Apply for a Declaration of Arrival for short stay (Annex 3)

If you will stay for max 90 days, you must register within the first 3 days after your arrival in Belgium at the administration of the municipal authority you will live in.  For the city of Ghent: Declaration of Arrival. Extension is only possible in exceptional situations on exceptional conditions.

Apply for a Residence Permit for long stay (A-card)

You should register with the municipal authority you will live in within the first 8 days after your arrival in Belgium. You must have permanent accommodation before they process your registration. Please contact your town or city hall directly to get more detailed information. For Ghent city: registration (‘domicile’). This A-card is valid till the end of the academic year (renewable). You are required to carry it with you at all times.

As a EU mobility student, with a valid residence permit in another Schengen country

As a EU mobility student with a valid residence permit in another Schengen country (except Ireland and Denmark), a visa for Belgium is not required to continue your study programme.

You apply for a residence permit for mobility students in the municipality you will be staying. If you are studying in a Joint-Programme, you will be contacted by your program coordinator at Ghent University at the latest 30 days before the planned mobility.

You will need to provide necessary documents and information:

  • Copy of valid passport
  • Residence permit valid for the entire duration of the mobility
  • Proof of health insurance, covering all risks in Belgium
  • Proof of financial solvency for the duration of the mobility
  • Proof of enrolment at the Ghent University

For an orientation year while graduating

Students with a residence permit as a non-EU student who graduate at Ghent University as bachelor, master or PhD, are eligible for a stay of 12 months (orientation year) to search for a job or to carry out an independent activity. Here you find information about the process and documents.

As cross-border student

When you live in the Netherlands, France, Germany, Luxembourg or the United Kingdom, and you want to keep your principal place of residence while you are studying in Ghent? In that case,  register as a cross-border student  and receive an ‘annex 33’

With a valid short- term residence permit in Belgium (change of status)

Within the context of your legal residence you can apply for a long stay residence permit (more than 90 days) on the basis of your studies via a so-called ‘change of status’.

We do not recommend this as an alternative to a type D Visa application.

  • There is no legal deadline for the Immigration Office to approve the change of status or reject it
  • The period of your legal residence may expire and you will not be granted a temporary right of residence pending the decision
  • A positive decision is not guaranteed

Extension of your Residence Permit

You are obliged to initiate the extension procedure at the latest 15 days before the expiration date of your residence permit. Try to obtain the necessary documents as much in advance as possible.

You can only extend your residence permit after you have successfully enrolled for the next academic year.  In case you have re-examinations in August/September, you can only enroll after you have received those results mid-September.

Leaving Belgium

If you do not report temporary absence to the municipality where you live (for Ghent) and you cannot be found at your residence, your residence card will become invalid. You can lose the right of residence. Upon your return, you must request a re-registration.

At the end of your stay in Belgium and before your definite departure, you should give notice of your departure to the town or city office of the municipality where you reside and return your residence permit. You will receive a confirmation that you have returned your residence permit.

Need extra help with your Residence Permit application?

For non-standard situations, you might need some extra information or advise. You can contact gent.info@stad.gent  or 09/210.10.10 or students.visa@ugent.be