Orientation year

• to find a job which qualifies for a single permit. Your employer will file the application.
• to take the necessary steps to start a self-employed activity and apply for a professional card and a change of your residence status.

In other words you need to obtain a residence permit on the basis of employment or self-employment within this year.

• Option 1: apply through the student administration of your college or university. Gather all the documents needed and send them to your student administration team. They will contact Loket Migratie on your behalf.
• Option 2: submit your application directly by following these steps:
  • Go to: https://www.antwerpen.be/product/zoekjaar-na-studies-aanvragenGo to:
  • complete the eform;
  • choose label “student”;
  • specify under remarks “zoekjaar studenten”.

Having graduated in Belgium:

• at the earliest once you passed all your exams
• at the latest 15 days before your current residence card (A-card) expires.

Having obtained a diploma in another member state of the European Union and having completed part of your studies in Belgium within the framework of a mobility program:

• within 3 months after obtaining your foreign diploma.

Please note: late applications are not admissible.

Having graduated in Belgium:

• a valid national passport
• your current residence card (granted for study reasons)
• diploma or proof that you passed the course and all exams

Having followed an EU mobility programme:

• a valid national passport
• proof of graduation from an institution of higher education in another European Union member state
• proof that, in the context of mobility, you reside or have resided in Belgium

Both categories:

• Proof of valid health insurance in the form of a recent certificate of affiliation to a Belgian health insurance fund or to a private health insurance fund. The insurance needs to be valid for the entire duration of the orientation year.
• Proof of sufficient means of subsistence. This amount is subject to indexation en varies every academic year. For the current amount please check Sufficient means of subsistence | IBZ. This proof can be provided in the form of
  • A Commitment of formal obligation that charge will be taken by a guarantor (Annex 32).
  • Or a blocked bank account administered by your college or university.
  • Or an employment contract with a total salary corresponding to at least 12 times the requested monthly amount.
  • Or proof of a Studely blocked account.

Please note: All documents must be presented at the moment of application. Incomplete applications cannot be processed. An extension of maximum 15 days can be granted to complete you file.

You must actively look for a job. After 3 months the Immigration Office may check  whether you have made enough efforts and whether you have a good chance of finding a job which qualifies for a single permit or of starting a self-employed activity.  If you cannot prove that this is the case, your right of residence can be terminated prematurely.