Orientation year after graduation
Almost graduated as a non-EEA student at Ghent University? Eager to enter the job market? Apply for an orientation year in Belgium!
What is an orientation year?
An orientation year is an opportunity for non-EEA citizens to receive a 12-month residence permit to look for a job or start their own business in Belgium after graduation. This gives you some breathing room after your studies to apply for jobs, network, or even get your own business started.
During your orientation year you will hold a residence card (A card) valid for 12 months. This card cannot be extended.
Who is eligible?
Non-EU national who:
- resides in Belgium and will graduate from a Belgian higher education institution with an associate program degree, a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, a post-graduate degree, or a doctoral student program degree
- stayed in Belgium for your studies as part of a mobility program (find more information about the procedure via Search year after higher studies | IBZ
How do you apply?
Students who will obtain a diploma in Belgium must submit their application at the local municipality. Submitting this application must be done at the latest 15 days before the expiry of your residence permit.
If you have obtained your diploma in a foreign country with a mobility period in Belgium, you must submit your application at the Belgian embassy or consulate in your country of residence within 3 months after obtaining your diploma.
Required documents
- Valid passport
- Proof that you have obtained a recognized diploma of at least qualification level 5 (associate degree) at a higher education institution in Belgium
- A Belgian residence permit based on studies
- Proof of health insurance
- Proof of solvency with regulations from the government. You can also find more information on ways to prove that you have enough financial means to live in Belgium on the webpage Proving sufficient financial means — For prospective students — Ghent University.
What happens next?
When your application has been submitted to your municipality (if you apply using a Belgian degree), you will receive an Annex 15 in awaiting the decision of the government.
As soon as you have your Annex 15, you have unlimited access to the Belgian labor market. That means that you can already start working full-time with your Annex 15 document while waiting for the approval of the application and the issuance of the actual permit (A card).
There is no restriction in working only under your current field of study. Useful information and resources on how to find a job or start your business is available via Finding a job - Study In Flanders - Study in Flanders
More information
All additional information about the orientation year is available via Orientation year after the completion of the studies | IBZ and Work in Flanders, Belgium after graduation - Study in Flanders