Contribution covering administrative costs of an application.

As of the 2/03/2015, the processing of some visa D applications and some residence
applications will require payment of a contribution. The proof of payment will have to be
submitted along with the application at the time of the application
Why a contribution?
The contribution covers the administrative costs involved with the processing of a visa
application, a residence permit application or a demand for a change in status.
If this contribution is applicable to you, you will have to pay it before submitting your application to
the Belgian diplomatic or consular post where you reside abroad or to the municipality where you
reside in Belgium.
If your application concerns multiple applicants, each one will have to pay the applicable
contribution.
In the event of a refusal,the contribution will not be refunded.
Does the contribution replace the consular and communal taxes?
No. This contribution is in addition to the consular taxes (visa D), or the communal taxes
(residence permit or change of status).
If this contribution is applicable to you, you are required to pay it. Being exempt from paying
consular or communal taxes, does not mean that you are exempt from the contribution covering
the administrative cost.
Ive paid the contribution with my visa application, do I have to pay it again when I go to
the municipality to register?
No. You pay only once.
As of which date will the contribution become compulsory?
2 March 2015
If you are required to pay the contribution, the proof of payment will have to be submitted with
every application introduced after 1 March 2015.
If you send your application by post, it is the the postmark that will be used. In other words, You
do not have to pay if the postmark proves that the application was sent before 2 March 2015.
On the other hand, you will have to pay the contribution if you made an appointment before 2
March 2015, but the submission of the application is after 1 March 2015.
How much is the contribution?
The amount takes into account the age of the applicant and the purpose of the stay. Some
foreigners are exempt of the requirement to pay the contribution.
The applicant that is required to pay will pay either 60, 160, or 215.
I did not pay the contribution
If you do not provide the proof of payment of the contribution at the time of submission of your
application, the application will be inadmissible. Consequently, the diplomatic or consular post or

the municipality will not be accepting your applicationand it will not be processed.
The diplomatic or consular post, the municipality or the Immigration Office will notify you of this
decision by way of an annex 42.
If you wish to submit an application, you will have to return with the proof of payment of the
contribution.
I did not pay enough
The diplomatic or consular post, the municipality or the Immigration Office will request you to pay
the remaining amount within a period of 30 days by means of an annex 43.
If you do not provide proof of payment of the remaining amount within 30 days, your application
will be inadmissible. Consequently, the diplomatic or consular post or the municipality will not be
accepting your application and it will not be processed
The diplomatic or consular post, the municipality or the Immigration Office will notify you of this
decision by way of an annex 42.
The amount you have already paid will not be refunded.
I paid too much
Your application is admissible and will be processed. The amount you have overpaid will not be
refunded to you.
Bank costs
The amount to be transferred has to cover the exact amount of the contribution as well as any
banking charges linked to the payment.
Inquire with the bank or deposit organisation about the amount that will be transferred into the
account.
The Immigration Office will check whether the right amount has been received.
Validity of the proof of payment of the contribution
You have to provide a valid proof of payment for the correct amount of the contribution.
For example : If you have made a bank transfer, you should bring the account statement or a
deposit slip with a postmark.
In case of doubt, the diplomatic or consular post, the municipality or the Immigration Office will
check whether the payment has effectively been received in the account and whether the amount
of the payment is in accordance with the purpose of your stay.
Who is required to pay a contribution of 60?
(a) The foreign national who was granted the status of long-term resident in another EU Member
State and who submits an application for a stay of more than three months in Belgium (article
61/7 of the law of 15.12.1980)
(b) The family members of the foreign national who was granted the status of long-term resident
in another EU Member State when this foreign national is authorised for an unlimited or limited
stay in Belgium and if they were living in the same household of the long-term resident in the
other Member State (article 10 or 10bis of the law of 15.12.1980)

Who is required to pay a contribution of 160?

(a) The foreign national (EU or non-EU) who applies for family reunification with a non-EU
national who is authorised for an unlimited stay in Belgium (article 10 of the law of 15.12.1980),
except :
if the applicant is a beneficiary of the Agreement establishing an association between the
European Economic Community and Turkey, signed 12.09.1963 (no contribution)
if the sponsor is a recognised refugee (no contribution)
if the sponsor was granted subsidiary protection (no contribution)
if the applicant is a single, disabled child older than 18 years , who presents a certificate of a
doctor- officially recognised by the diplomatic or consular post - that states that he is not
financially independent as a result of his/her disability (no contribution)
if the applicant is a family member of the foreign national who was granted the status of longterm resident in another EU Member State and if he was living in the household of the long-term
resident in the other Member State (60)
(b) The foreign national (EU or non-EU) who applies for family reunification with a non-EU
national who is authorised for a limited stay in Belgium (article 10bis of the law of 15.12.1980),
except :
if the applicant is a beneficiary of the Agreement establishing an association between the
European Economic Community and Turkey, signed 12.09.1963 (no contribution)
if the sponsor was granted subsidiary protection (no contribution)
if the applicant is a solitary, disabled child older than 18 years, who presents a certificate of an officially recognized by the post - doctor that states that he lacks the necessary resources (no
contribution)
if the applicant is a family member of the foreign national who was granted the status of longterm resident in another EU Member State and if he was living in the household of the long-term
resident in the other Member State (60)
(c) The foreign national (EU or non-EU) who applies for family reunification with a Belgian citizen
(article 40ter of the law of 15.12.1980), except :
if the applicant is a solitary, disabled child older than 18 years, who presents a certificate of an
-officially recognized by the post- doctor that states that he lacks the necessary resources (no
contribution)
if the sponsor is a Belgian citizen who has exercised his/her right to free movement (directive
2004/38/EC) (no contribution)
(d) The student who is enrolled in an educational establishment organised, accredited or
subsidized by the Government (article 58 of the law of 15.12.1980)
(e) The foreign national who applies for a change of status when this new status is liable to a
contribution of 160 (for example: the foreigner with a limited stay of some kind who wants to
prolong his stay based on an enrolment in an accredited educational establishment)
(f) The foreign national whose right of residence is accredited by an international treaty, a law or a
royal decree (article 10, 1, 1 of the law of 15.12.1980), except:
if the applicant is a beneficiary of the Agreement establishing an association between the
European Economic Community and Turkey, signed 12.09.1963 (no contribution)
(g) The foreign national who fulfils the conditions to acquire or to re-acquire the Belgian

nationality (article 10, 1, 2 of the law of 15.12.1980), except:

if the applicant is a beneficiary of the Agreement establishing an association between the
European Economic Community and Turkey, signed 12.09.1963 (no contribution)
(h) The woman who has lost her Belgian nationality through marriage or by acquiring a foreign
nationality through her husband (article 10, 1, 3 v of the law of 15.12.1980), except:
if the applicant is a beneficiary of the Agreement establishing an association between the
European Economic Community and Turkey, signed 12.09.1963 (no contribution)
(i) In some cases the foreign national who applies for a return visa.
Who pays a contribution of 215?
(a) The foreign national who applies for an authorisation for a stay of more than three months at
the Belgian diplomatic or consular post (visa D article 9 of the law of 15.12.1980) or at the
municipality (article 9 of the law of 15.12.1980 and article 25/2 of the royal decree of 8.10.1980),
except:
if the applicant is a beneficiary of the Agreement establishing an association between the
European Economic Community and Turkey, signed 12.09.1963 (no contribution)
(b) The foreign national who applies for an authorisation for a stay in Belgium for humanitarian
reasons (article 9bis of the law of 15.12.1980)
(c) The student who is enrolled in a private educational establishment (article 9 of the law of
15.12.1980)
(d) The researcher with a hosting agreement (article 61/11 of the law of 15.12.1980)
(e) The highly skilled worker European Blue Card (article 61/27 of the law of 15.12.1980)
(f) The foreign national who applies for a change of status when this new status is liable to a
contribution of 215 (for example: the authorised student who wants to prolong his stay for
professional reasons)
(g) The foreign national who applies for an authorisation to return to Belgium after more than 1
year absence (article 192 of the law of 15.12.1980 and royal decree of 07.08.1995)
(h) The foreign national who applies for re-acquisition of the status of long-term resident after
long absence (article 19,2 of the law of 15.12.1980)
(i) In some cases the foreign national who applies for a return visa
You dont have to pay a contribution:
- if you are younger than 18 years
- if you apply for asylum or subsidiary protection
- if you apply for an authorisation for a stay of more than three months for medical reasons (article
9ter)
- if you are a citizen of the European Union and you exercise your right of free movement (article
40 of the law of 15.12.1980)
- if you are a family member of a citizen of the European Union and you apply for family
reunification (article 40bis or 47/1)

- if you are a Swiss citizen

+ the categories of exemption as mentioned above (except:)
Who can pay the contribution?
The applicant or a third person.
In foreign currency or in euro ?
The contribution needs to be in EUR.
Cash money or bank transfer
The contribution needs to be transferred to bank account BE57 6792 0060 9235.
Account information
IBAN BE57 6792 0060 9235
BIC PCHQBEBB
Bank : BPOST NV, Muntcentrum (zonder nr.), 1000 Brussel
Beneficiary : FOD Binnenlandse Zaken, Dienst Vreemdelingenzaken, Antwerpsesteenweg 59B,
1000 Brussel
Reference of the payment
- name and first name of the applicant, (as mentioned in the passport)
- nationality,
- date of birth; day (DD), month (MM), year (JJJJ)
- purpose (article of the law of 15.12.1980)
Structure of the reference
Name, given name, nationality, date of birth (DD.MM.YYYY), article (mention the n) of the law of
15.12.1980
Example: YANG CHUAN PAKISTANI 01.02.1930 Artikel 10bis
If the number of characters is limited or if certain characters cannot be used, mention name,
given name and date of birth of the applicant as a priority.
Legal base
Program Law of 19 December 2014
Publication: 29 December 2014
Entry into force: 8 January 2014
+ Royal Decree of 16 February 2015
Publication: 20.02.2015
Entry into force: 02.03.2015

World Trade Center, Tour II

Antwerpsesteenweg, 59 B / Chausse dAnvers 59b
1000 Brussels
INFODESK
Tel. : 02/793.80.00
E-mail : infodesk@ibz.fgov.be

Source :
https://dofi.ibz.be/sites/dvzoe/EN/news/Pages/Contributioncoveringadministra
tivecostsofanapplication.aspx
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Executive summary
From 2 March 2015 the Belgian government has introduced administrative fees for a
number of residence applications for foreign nationals in Belgium.

Impact on applications
The following applications will be impacted by the introduction of the administrative
fees:

New visa D applications that are introduced by the competent Belgian embassies
or consulates;

Applications for residence that are introduced via the Belgian town halls, such as
where individuals who are already in Belgium on the basis of a short stay
(passport or Schengen visa C) and apply for a long stay in Belgium;

All changes of residence status, such as a student who changes his residence
status to the status of employee.

For residence permit extensions where an individual remains in the same status, no
administrative fee is required to be paid. All individuals who submit their residence
application as of 2 March 2015 will need to verify if an administrative fee needs to be
paid. Where the administrative fee applies the payment needs to be made into the Belgian
bank account of the Federal Public Service Internal Affairs, (Foreigners office) before
the application is submitted. Even where the appointments were made before 2 March
2015, the administrative fee will apply if the application is submitted after this date.
Should the application be rejected, the administrative fee will not be reimbursed. Also, if
an individual has paid too much the additional amount will also not be reimbursed.

Administrative fee amounts

Depending on the application or situation the administrative fee may vary. Some
examples are:

Individuals under 18 years of age: no fee;

For employees with a work permit or work permit exemption, or for selfemployed persons with a professional card or professional card exemption: EUR
215;

For the family members of employees or self-employed persons who are in the
possession of a Belgian work permit or professional card: EUR 160.

These are just some examples of what the administrative fee may be. However, a number
of things can impact the fee payable and as such individuals should verify what fee is

applicable to them before making payment. This administrative fee is payable in addition
to any fees set by the embassies or town halls. Individuals should make sure that they pay
any bank costs at the time so that the Belgian government receives the exact amount
required.

Payment verification
At the time of the application the individual needs to demonstrate to the competent
authority (Belgian embassy/consulate/town hall) that payment has been made. This can
be done using a copy of the bank extract.
If no payment has been made, the application will not be processed by the respective
Belgian authorities and they will inform the individual concerned. Where insufficient
payment has been made, an extra payment of the remaining amount due will have to be
paid within 30 days of the initial payment. Where it is not clear if payment has been
made, the respective authorities will verify this with the Federal Public Service Internal
Affairs (Foreigners office).

Next steps
Employers who assign employees to Belgium should be aware of these new fees and
consider them when costing assignments. They must also ensure that the correct fee has
been paid in advance of any application in order to ensure that the application process is
delayed.
Any individual moving to work in Belgium must also be aware of the new process and
ensure that they adhere to it to avoid any delay in their move.
Source : http://www.ey.com/BE/en/Newsroom/News-releases/Tax-alert--Belgian-government-introduces-administrative-fees