How to get a residence card in Belgium

 2023-10-30

How to get a residence card in Belgium

As an international student staying in Belgium for more than 90 days, you are required to register at the City of Ghent within 8 days of your arrival. After the registration process is complete, you will receive an electronic A-card.

The registration process involves three steps:

First, you need to register through the “Registration of foreign students”.

Next, you will be invited to the City of Ghent to prepare for your A-card (a biometric card where your fingerprints will be taken), and a fee is required.

About a week after registering via the e-form, you will receive a document known as “annex 15”. You must send a copy of this document to HZIV (Health Insurance Fund) for the final processing of your mandatory health insurance. Finally, you will be invited to collect your A-card. The entire process of obtaining the A-card can take up to a month and a half. Typically, by the end of October, the cards should be ready.

For the initial step of registration via the e-form, you need to upload the following documents in PDF format:

▪ Your passport (which should be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure date)

▪ Your type D visa

▪ A certificate from your educational institution clearly indicating the end date of your studies (this is your certificate of enrolment)

▪ A proof of solvency document (either annex 32 or a solvency document issued by UGent for those who use a blocked account)

▪ Proof of health insurance (the ALL-IN insurance document)

▪ A photo

Stadskantoor Gent

What to do?

Schedule an appointment via our online appointment calendar - https://afspraken.gent.be/product=1548

 

What to bring?

 ▪ Passport and visa type D

 ▪ Standard form enrolment (not the admission/invitation/acceptance letter) 

 ▪ Proof of sufficient financial means (scholarship, blocked bank account, annex 32)

 ▪ 1 standard-size photograph (max. 6 months old - white background) 

 Information about the condition of photo: https://www.ibz.rrn.fgov.be/fileadmin/user_upload/nl/kaarten/eid/documentatie/2016_Matrice_NL.pdf

 ▪ € 28 - payment in cash or by card 

Finally, you will get your residence card (A-card).