Blocked Account for international (exchange) PhD candidates

What is a blocked account?

When applying for visa you will need to prove sufficient financial means to cover your living and study costs during your time in Belgium. One of the options to prove your sufficient means, is opening a blocked account at Ghent University.  
You will need to deposit the required amount (see further) into a Ghent University account. As soon as this money is received, Ghent University will issue a ‘Proof of Solvency Certificate’ that you can present at the embassy, consulate or other departments.
After your arrival in Belgium, your money will be reimbursed to you on a monthly basis. The procedure and details of the reimbursement are explained below. 

Conditions for a blocked account at Ghent University

A. If you are still in your home country:

• You are accepted as an exchange PhD or a full PhD candidate at Ghent University
• You will stay for more than 3 months in Belgium and intend to apply for a D-visa
• For exchange PhD students: the period for which you request a proof of solvency falls within one academic year (start date academic year/PhD research or exchange mobility period maximum 31st of October) and for a maximum of 13 months in total.
  
  

B. If you are already in Belgium:

• You are enrolled/registered as a (exchange) PhD candidate at Ghent University 
• You have entered Belgium with a student visa type D
• You will (re-)apply for a residence permit for a minimum of 12 months
• You are getting prepared for your public defense and need to prolong your stay for a few months. Duration of blocked account: until the date of the public defense plus one month. When applying for a shorter prolongation at the Migration Office you will need a motivation letter from your promotor including the date of the public defense.
• You ‘re almost graduating and will apply for an orientation/search year. For an orientation year it is compulsory to apply for a blocked account for one year/12 months.

How much do I need to transfer?

There is slight difference between the minimum required by Ghent University and the minimum required by Belgian Law. All Belgian higher education institutions have agreed upon a rounded monthly amount to make sure students can cover their living expenses. Please note that it might not be sufficient to cover all your costs. 

If you are granted a scholarship that does not meet the legal minimum for visa approval, you can use the blocked account procedure to top-up the amount of your scholarship. You’ll have to present your scholarship letter together with the solvency proof certificate to the authorities for either your visa application or the prolongation of your residence permit. 

Ghent University charges a handling fee of 100 EUR for each request. This amount will be included in the payment request that you will receive.

Ghent University charges a handling fee of 100 EUR for each request. This amount is non-refundable. When you receive a payment request, the handling fee is included. (This is new as of July 2026)

Examples:

1. Single student admitted for PhD, starts in September:
   Duration Blocked account: 13 months from September to end of September following year
   Blocked account for 13x 1100 EUR = 14300 EUR
   Total to be transferred: 14300 +100 (handling fee)= 14400 EUR

2. PhD student who comes with his/her family, starts in October.
   Family consist of student + partner + 2 children:
   Duration Blocked account: 12 months from October to end of October. 
   Blocked account for 12 X 2685 EUR = 34905 EUR
   Total to be transferred: 34905 + 100 (handling fee) = 35005 EUR

3. Exchange PhD student invited by Ghent University who receives a scholarship of 600 EUR per month from an external funder:
   Duration of blocked account: 10 months from 15 September to 15 July
   Blocked account for: 10x 500 EUR=5000 EUR (1100 EUR -600 EUR= 500 EUR per month)
   Total to be transferred: 5000+100 (handling fee) = 5100 EUR
4. Student who defends PhD in Belgium end of July and applies for a search/orientation year.
   Duration of blocked account: always 12 months! August to August
   Blocked account for 12x 1100 EUR= 13200 EUR
   Total to be transferred: 13200 +100 (handling fee) = 13300 EUR
5. Student who needs a few months to defend his/her PhD (with a motivation letter from their promotor including the date of the public defense). 
   Duration of blocked account: until the date of the public defense plus one month.
   For example: Blocked account for 3 x 1100 EUR= 3300 EUR
   Total to be transferred: 3300 EUR +100 (handling fee) = 3400 EUR

How to apply for the blocked account?

You can start your solvency application as soon as you have received your Letter of Invitation or your Letter of Admission.
Students who apply for a prolongation of their solvency period to renew their residence permit should start the application well ahead of the deadline for renewal of the permit.

1. Go to ‘Oasis’ and login
2. Select ‘Solvency’ and start a new application
3. Fill out all the required information and submit the application
4. Within 2 working days you will receive the payment instructions in your mailbox
5. Transfer the requested amount to the university’s blocked account by using the payment button in the email or the payment instructions in the invoice attached
6. Always save a proof of your money transaction (payment receipt)!
7. As soon as the required amount has reached the university’s blocked account, you will receive your solvency proof certificate
8. You can use the solvency proof certificate for your visa application or prolongation of your residence permit

Keep in mind that an international banking transfer may take up to 10 working days!  Don’t set a visa appointment before you went through all these steps.

How to receive your monthly instalment

You arrived in Belgium and now you wish to receive your monthly instalment.

1. Open a Belgian bank account in your name. You can do this at a bank in Belgium or open an online account (e.g. Wise, Nickel, N26,…) but make sure to take the Belgian IBAN
2. Add this bank account to ‘Oasis’ as type ‘Reimbursements’. The reimbursements can now start
3. Regular monthly reimbursements are scheduled on the Tuesday after the 20th of the month, prior to the month involved. (E.g. instalment for February is paid at the end of January)
4. Any pending months will be reimbursed on the first Tuesday right after you have submitted your bank account in ‘Oasis’

We strongly suggest you bring enough money to pay for your accommodation and living costs for the first month(s) in Belgium. Often a deposit of 2 months is asked by landlords. 

Estimate the cost of student housing in Gent living in Belgium. 

FAQ

Find the FAQs on the blocked account on this FAQ page.

Contact

If you have questions on this blocked account procedure, contact solvencyphd@ugent.be