Family reunification visas

More detailed information can be found on the website of the Immigration Office.

A beneficiary of international protection (refugee status or subsidiary protection, so-called “sponsor”) may, under certain conditions, be accompanied or joined by a family member.

All documents must be introduced in 1 single file of original documents.

Applicants (family members applying for family reunification with a beneficiary of international protection) must provide the following documents:

1. the Visa application form (dated and signed) and recent passport photograph;
2. a valid international passport with a validity of minimum 1 year + photocopy of national ID-card;
3. a medical certificate, from a doctor accredited by the Embassy, attesting that applicant is not suffering from any disease putting public health at risk. The medical certificate will be handed over by the doctor to the visa applicant in a sealed envelope, and should be submitted along with the other supporting documents at the Visa Application Centre.
4. an extract from criminal record (except for applicants younger than 18).
5. a photocopy of the decision granting the international protection status and the residence permit;
6. proof that the sponsor has health insurance*;
7. proof that the sponsor has sufficient housing*;
8. proof that the sponsor has stable, regular, and sufficient means of subsistence.*

* As further set out below, certain family members of a beneficiary of international protection are exempted from proving that said beneficiary has health insurance, sufficient housing or stable, regular, and sufficient means of subsistence.
 

+ Depending on the applicable family link, applicants must also provide the following documents:

A. The spouse

1. proof of Marriage: marriage certificate + translation.
   1. a copy of the power of attorney if this marriage was concluded by proxy.
   2. if the applicant or the beneficiary of international protection being joined remarries, or in the case of a new relationship, the persons concerned must provide evidence of the dissolution of the previous marriage or relationship (divorce certificate, death certificate of the spouse or partner, etc.) in addition to evidence of the (new) marriage or partnership.
2. proof that the spouses are at least 21 years of age (or 18 years if the marriage already existed before the application for family reunification was submitted).
3. exemption concerning the proof of health insurance, housing and means of subsistence: The spouse of a beneficiary of international protection does not need to provide evidence that said beneficiary has health insurance, sufficient housing and stable, regular and sufficient means of subsistence, if:
   1. the marriage precedes his/her entry into Belgium, and
   2. the application for family reunification is submitted within the year following the recognition of refugee status or the granting of subsidiary protection to the sponsor.
      
      When assessing this 12-month deadline, any special circumstances which make late submission of the application objectively excusable, are taken into account.

B. A minor child

1. proof of descent from the sponsor, spouse or partner;
2. proof that the applicant is younger than 18 years old – The age taken into account is the applicant’s age at the time the application for international protection is lodged. If the child reaches the age of 18 during or shortly after being granted international protection, the application for family reunification can be submitted up to 3 months after the decision granting international protection status. When assessing this 3-month deadline, account is taken of any special circumstances which make late submission of the application objectively excusable.
3. proof of unmarried status;
4. proof of parental authority;
5. exemption concerning the proof of health insurance, housing and means of subsistence:
   The underage child of a beneficiary of international protection, travelling without the other parent, does not need to provide evidence that said beneficiary has health insurance, sufficient housing and stable, regular and sufficient means of subsistence, if:
   1. the underage child is unmarried; and
   2. the underage child comes to live with the beneficiary being joined before reaching 18 years of age and
   3. the underage child is the only one joining the beneficiary (in other words, the other parent of the underage child does not apply for family reunification at the same time).

C. A single adult disabled child

1. proof of descent from the sponsor, spouse or partner.
2. proof that the applicant is older than 18 years old.
3. proof of unmarried status.
4. proof of dependency – The applicant has to submit a certificate from a doctor accredited by the Embassy , confirming that the applicant is unable to meet their own needs due to their disability.
5. exemption concerning the proof of health insurance, housing and means of subsistence: The single adult disabled child of a beneficiary of international protection does not need to provide evidence that said beneficiary has health insurance, sufficient housing and stable, regular and sufficient means of subsistence, if:

D. Parents + minor brother & sisters of an unaccompanied foreign minor (UFM)

D.1 The parents (father and mother) of a foreign national who has been admitted to stay in Belgium as a beneficiary of international protection, have a right to family reunification. This right must be recognized if the persons concerned can prove, by means of documents, that the conditions for family reunification have been met.

1. proof of descent from the sponsor in Belgium.
2. proof that the sponsor is younger than 18 years old – The age taken into account is the sponsor’s age at the time the application for international protection is lodged. If the child reaches the age of 18 during or shortly after being granted international protection, the application for family reunification can be submitted up to 3 months after the decision granting international protection status. When assessing this 3-month deadline, account is taken of any special circumstances which make late submission of the application objectively excusable.

D.2 Minor brothers/sisters of an UFM can introduce their visa applications (Article 9) together with their parents. The following documents are required for this application:

1. proof of descent from the parents of the UFM.