cohabitation in belgium

Cohabitation in Belgium

21/10/2013

** What I am sharing here is based on my experience and what I’ve read and been told. I’m not an expert on the subject. I want to give an overview of what you might need, but bear in mind that the rules might change and the cities might proceed differently. The best is always to get informed at the city hall where you will be/are living in. **

Other resources:

Immigration Office - Declaring a legal cohabitation in Belgium

Belgium Cohabitation Visa

___

One word for you who’s about to do this: PATIENCE!

Bureaucracy is always a bitch, but this one has been eating up my Zen reserves. It sucks, it’s a time waster, it’s nerve-wrecking, it kills your plans and laughs at your face and did I mention it sucks?

Well, I’m hoping it’s all for a higher purpose and that there are some lessons here to be learned – even if it’s just being Zen and positive or that we really love each other and want to be together.

I don’t mean to scare or worry you. I’m just a little frustrated but I’m sure everything will be in order when the time is right.

So, long story short: we started our process in February, had my request for residency denied in August and now we’re filing an appeal (we’ve hired a lawyer) and applying for the Visa one more time. Meanwhile I couldn’t have a job or study.

(Update: Cohabitation in Belgium, part II)

When we started we didn’t know much about this Visa (the guy at the town hall knew even less) and we couldn’t find clear + complete information. Many e-mails, websites and talks with people who had gone through the same process later, we knew more or less what to do.

Below I’ll tell you what we did. It may vary from town to town but I hope it will help.

1.       Declaration of arrival

When arriving in Belgium you must go to the commune within 8 days (the Immigration Office website says 3) and declare your arrival and address.

2.       Residence check

A local cop will pay you a visit within 2 weeks and check that you really live at the address provided. (Tip: contact your neighborhood agent. In our case, after 2 weeks he hadn’t received an order from the town hall yet.)

3.       Declaration of legal cohabitation

The cop will sign a declaration and with that in hand you can go to the commune again to sign a contract of cohabitation.

Documents needed:

Passport;
Recent Birth Certificate, translated and legalized;
Single Status Certificate, translated and legalized;
Health Insurance;
Proof of income (Belgian partner);
Proof of residence (Belgian partner);
ID card (Belgian partner).

4. Visa/ Family reunion residence request

After you request the Visa, an “orange card” will be issued. It’s a temporary ID valid for 6 months while you wait for the response from Immigration. That card doesn’t grant you the rights to work nor re-enter the country in case you travel abroad. It only means you can legally stay in Belgium while your process in pending.

Proof of durable and stable relationship *:

Flight tickets;
Hotel reservations;
Previous visas or passport stamps;
Pictures (electronic, dated);
Chat history;
Emails;
Other.

*To apply for residence based on cohabitation, you must know each other for at least two years, have met in 3 different occasions with a total of 45 days, or have lived together for one year. Every document presented as proof must be dated and verifiable.*

Our request was denied because we couldn’t prove that we knew each other for 2 years. All the rest was in order. I hate to think about that and all the waiting for the upcoming months but on the other hand I’m glad we have the chance to try it again.

___

If you have been through this process, please share your experience with us!
If you are considering this option, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below.

UPDATE: Join the conversation on Facebook: Cohabitation Visa in Belgium.

276 Comments

Alfi Yusrina link

21/10/2013 07:12:40 am

May I know how much euro the minimum for the proof income from the Belgian partner?

Ana Elisa

21/10/2013 07:47:40 am

Hi Alfi,
The paper we got from our town hall says 1282,14 euro a month. You should provide a job contract and recent paychecks.

Juliana Regueira

6/10/2014 07:01:50 am

I know that now (in 2014) the minimum is of 1600 euros and you should provide the last 3 paycheques.

Lauren

31/7/2019 08:06:49 pm

Would anyone be able to tell me what this monthly salary nett amount is in 2019 please?

Claire

26/10/2013 11:54:51 am

Hi Ana, I'm sorry about your application being rejected. I am waiting to hear from my commune...I have 3 weeks left until my orange card expires. May I ask what kind of documents you submitted that were not sufficient enough? I am anxious to know whether mine will be approved or not. Thanks in advance!

Ana Elisa

27/10/2013 04:27:39 am

Hi Claire!
The problem was that we couldn't prove we knew each other for 2 years at the moment we applied. Our earliest pictures and messages are from July '11 and we applied in February '13, just short a few months.
I hope it works for you, please let me know in 3 weeks! Fingers crossed :)

Claire

28/10/2013 05:35:24 am

Also when and how did they let you know the decision exactly? Right before the card expires by mail or by phone?

Ana Elisa

28/10/2013 01:46:33 pm

We called when the card expired and they told us they had just gotten the letter from Immigration, so we passed by the town hall to hand in my orange card and sign a document saying I had received it.

Arietta Isinvar link

30/10/2013 03:14:26 am

The horror stories of the cohabitiation visa is one reason my husband and I decided to get married in the USA before I moved to Belgium. I hope your second application goes through!

Ana Elisa

2/11/2013 03:58:41 am

Thanks Arietta! We thought about marriage too, but then we decided to try this option first. Fingers crossed and a lot of patience :)

Steffi

19/4/2016 07:48:39 pm

Hello,

Did getting married in the USA made it easier for you to stay together in Belgium or did you have to get married in Belgium again? I'm actually in situation where my application for a permanent card through cohabitation legal was denied. We had contacted lawyers and I'm now in an Annex 35 status. I would like to know other experiences and how others were able to pull through in this similar situation.

Arietta

8/9/2020 05:33:57 pm

You just have to transcribe your marriage in the town hall
After that you are married as well here.

Best luck!

Lawani

13/12/2013 12:47:33 pm

Hello everyone , just wanted to share my experience as well, I was refused my f card too and was asked to live the country in 30 days but I took a lawyer and afterwards , I was given an annex 35 , which I ve to go and stamp every month at my commune for 6 months till the results comes . I pray it all works out fine

Kwame Nkrumah

24/7/2017 05:32:14 pm

Hello guys, with the annex 35 in belgium can you work or study with it and how long does it takes to get results from the appeal of the refusal of the F card.

Lawani

13/12/2013 12:49:30 pm

And to lighten you up , you can get a job with your orange card cos I work and as am waiting my result , I still get to keep my job

Marlene

23/10/2014 03:35:59 pm

Hey Lawani you can apply for a job with the orange card? Cause I thought that too but now that I read the previous article I am doubting about it, I would highly appreciated your info cause in a few days I will sign my legal cohabitation with my bf and I really hope I can start looking for a job soon :(

henry

3/5/2017 08:01:16 am

yes u can work with ur orange card

Ana Elisa

14/12/2013 01:49:42 pm

Lawani, thanks for your comment and good luck on your process. Please come back to let us know!

Del

17/3/2016 07:33:11 pm

Hi there! I have done cohabitation with my now husband, i was told by the immigration that i could work with my orange card. I even got 3months orange card only as my husband doesnt have Belgian ID that time, after they extended it for another 3months and got my 5yrs F+ card after that. We applied on 2013 btw :) goodluck everyone!

Sally

8/2/2014 05:44:12 am

Hi
I live in Australia and my boyfriend who is a Belgian citizen is of course in Belgium. This July it will be 2 years since we have been dating. We have numerous emails, photos, plane tickets to prove our relationship. My question is how do we go about applying for this visa. Is this something I can do in Australia?
Thanks

Ana Elisa

8/2/2014 07:08:49 am

Hi Sally. I think you can apply for it in Australia. Look for the Belgian Embassy there for more info. You can also come to Belgium as a tourist and immediately go to the town hall where your boyfriend lives, register your arrival and start the process. Good luck!

Sally

15/2/2014 07:44:54 am

Hi
I have got the following reply from the Belgian Embassy here. We are now even more confused. What is the cohabitation agreement? Is this different to the cohabitation visa. I thought they were the same. If you could please help clarify. Thanks heaps!

"Referring to your email below I can inform you that you can only apply for the visa in Australia IF you have signed the cohabitation agreement. This can be signed in Belgium only.
The application time in this case will be up to 6 months or sometimes more."

Lyuba

5/5/2014 07:36:12 am

Hello Ana,

I am Ukrainian and normally need a visa to Belgium, but if I already have a valid tourist visa it will also work to declare cohabitation?

thank you!

Ana Elisa

16/2/2014 04:27:41 am

Sally, in this case I think the best solution is for you to go through the process here, since the agreement can only be signed in Belgium. The cohabitation agreement is a document you sign at the town hall declaring that you live together. Then, you apply for a resident permit (visa) based on the fact that you live in legal, official cohabitation.

Guitoun

27/12/2015 11:28:37 pm

Hello everyone i want to have application process in belgium i m algerian coming in netherland with visa now expired décembre 2014 i was in relation with dutch women and we want to try Belgium we know each other for long time we have flight ticket invitation of host stamps on the passeport also pictures together
Wich town in belgium w try and what we do is it possible when the visa is expired thank you very much

Katie

13/2/2014 06:54:15 pm

Hello! Thank you for sharing your story. I am worried that the same thing will happen to me. I am still in the US, but planning on moving to Belgium in March and will have only have been with my Belgian boyfriend for 1 year and 9 months. After your visa was denied, has it been extremely costly for you to hire a lawyer and appeal the decision? Was it worth moving over there and trying to apply in Belgium? Thanks!

Ana Elisa Miranda

14/2/2014 09:16:25 am

Hi Katie! Even though it has been frustrating and time consuming, it was totally worth it.
The important thing is that you prove that you KNOW each other for 2 years - being in a relationship or not. If that's not the case, I'd wait a couple more months before applying just to be sure. You don't want this headache.

Nuno

23/5/2018 09:40:23 pm

Hi Ana,
Sorry for rehashing an old Post, I have a question: can the prove be a chat log with dates for the 2 years thing? I mean, do they want proof they the couple had actually met two years before, or is proof of communication enough? Thank you!

Jay

25/2/2014 01:39:40 am

Hi Ana,
I hope you get a favourable response this time around. You said your messages with proof was around July 2011, while you started your application process around Febuary 2013. That is 5months short from the required 2 years relationship with proof. My question are as follows?

If you had waited till July 2013, because by then you will be in a 2 years relationship with proof. would they have given you the resident permit?
Were you living together at the time of your application or did you live together for at least for one year before you applied?

Greetings.

Ana Elisa

25/2/2014 04:29:57 am

Hi Jay, I think that if we had waited until July we would have gotten a positive answer. We hadn't lived together before but I had just moved in with him. It's one or the other: having known each other for two years or having lived together for one year (everything must be clearly proved).

Enny

14/3/2014 06:59:34 am

Hi Ana, how are you? i am married to a Belgian citizen, and i will receive the orange card tomorrow. the lady in the commune first told me that it's fine for me to go around Schengen area, but then she again said that i should stay in Belgium and can not leave Belgium while with orange card. I visited the commune while my husband work, and apparently my French is not good enough to understand really well the whole conversation with the lady in commune. Do you think i can go for example just to France or Holland? Thanks a lot, i really appreciate your reply. :)

Ana Elisa Miranda

14/3/2014 09:14:44 am

Hi Enny,

In theory you could go around the Schengen area, since there is no border control. I didn't leave Belgium, though, just in case.

Jacob

17/5/2014 03:01:39 pm

hey..... apart from pictures and text messages what can be useful to prove the relation ? how long was the interview and how thorough it was.? thanks in advance

Ana Elisa Miranda

18/5/2014 11:12:56 am

Hi Jacob,

You can use anything that is dated and can be verified; anything you did together like flight tickets, hotel reservations, etc.

We weren't interviewed and I don't know if that's part of the process.

Good luck!

Mimi

13/6/2014 10:09:14 am

Hi Ana, thanks for sharing the story. Similar here, I am married with a Belgium citizen and refused my F card today due to the fact that my partner is a freelancer which is considered that he does not have a stable income (even he earn more than min. requirement). Planning to meet with lawyer next week to file an appeal. My question is while appealing, could you go out from Belgium or same rule apply during the orange card period? and how long did you take to get the valid visa in the end? (my apologiesif you mentioned in another post.) Your advice would be really apprecited. Thanks!

Ana Elisa Miranda

15/6/2014 02:41:33 pm

Hi!
I'm sorry to hear that and good luck next time. It's ridiculous that they don't accept your partner's income. Money is money!
I am not sure, but I think you can't leave the country while you wait for the appeal.
We filed a new visa request at the same time as the appeal and both of them took almost as long: 6 months.

Mimi

18/6/2014 10:53:19 am

Thanks Ana for your reply! I understand. With recommendation by our lawyer, e decided to make a new demand. We will see how it goes!

Yasir Ashfaque

9/8/2017 03:16:26 pm

Hello mimi,

Can you please confirm how did you process go, i am going through same problem, tell me how did you fix this ?

Thanks.

Iman Jaafar

27/2/2022 09:29:00 am

does he have any contract with any company? did you show any income for the past 2, 3 years? did you apply for appeal and get reply?

hen

15/6/2014 09:46:38 am

My baby is a belgian was declared by his father and the gave me 6 months orange card am I going to have the f card thanks

Ana Elisa Miranda

15/6/2014 02:45:35 pm

Hi!
I don't know what the law says in this case. If you meet all the requirements it should be ok.

Raquel

15/7/2014 04:36:04 pm

Im so frustated please help me!!! Im married with a dutch guy we start our process and i got my orange card now on the 13 of july my card expired and o went monday on the 14 of july to pay a urgent fee for my f card becase my grandma is very sick and i need to go see her! All went fine the women in the gemente huis said no problem and say my case was aproved! I payed 200 euros and today 15 of july o got my f card in my hands went home very happy bcs after all this wait i finally got it!!! 2 hours later my worst nightmare the women of the gemente huis called me saying they had to cancel my f card that i just took bcs was one paper missing!!!! How is that possibleee!?? They say everthing is good i got the card on me and now denied!!!!!? Im soooo sad that i cant think straight!!! In this time i bought a airplane ticket and now im back t the beginning!!!! I dont know what to do!!!! Im illegal now??? For starting this process i have to go back t my country? Do i have to provide allllll new paperwork with stamps and everything again? They are the wrong ones not me !!!! They did a big mistake!!! Please helppp

Ana Elisa Miranda

16/7/2014 03:41:59 am

Hi Raquel,
I'm so sorry to hear that but I really don't know what you should do. I've never heard a story like this before. What did they tell you at the town hall? That you have to start the process again and provide all the documents again? Or only the one that was missing? Do you have a lawyer?

Sahy

16/7/2014 07:21:07 am

Hi Ana,

Were the only documents that you needed translated the birth certificate and single status affidavit? I moved here from the USA and am wondering if all of the legal documents (with apostles) must be translated for the application. The woman at the commune only mentioned the BC and affidavit so far, but she only deals with the initial application, apparently. I might also get the FBI/Police reports translated, to be safe. I can't imagine they would ask me to get all the emails and other documents translated, because that would be a nightmare. But maybe they like torturing people? Anyhow, any advice you can give on this would be helpful. Thanks!

Sahy

Ana Elisa Miranda

17/7/2014 03:12:43 am

Hi Sahy! Welcome to Belgium!
Yes, the only documents I had translated were my birth certificate and my single status certificate. All the extra things proving the relationship were in English: facebook chat, hotel bookings, flight tickets, etc.
Good luck!

Raquel

16/7/2014 09:32:00 am

Thank you so much for answering me i am also brazilian :) i know my situation is very baddddd and they dnt want admit the mistake!!! Can you pass ur lawyer contact or email me on my private email rpaulozzi@hotmail.com so we can talk? Im so confuse if i should i get a lawyer or if that is bad for my new case? Thanks so much

Jeroen

31/7/2014 08:58:59 am

Hey Ana,

I'm pretty happy that I happened to find your blog. My girlfriend and I are in the middle of deciding whether we go this route or not. We haven't even started yet but I can already feel myself get a little nervous in case they reject it. Do you mind if I ask just how much proof you showed them?

I still have all my flight tickets, hotel bookings, and even every single receipt and theme park/movie theatre/etc ticket I bought, but I'm wondering how many chat logs we have to provide. Did you have to print these, or show them on a computer or something?

Incase you printed them, how many pages or something did you have? Did they read through them thoroughly, or will that happen behind the scenes once they send the papers to immigration? I'm fairly confident we are good to go with the amount of logs we have, but you never know. Do you have to proof that the usernames in the chatlogs really are both of you?

I'm from Belgium but my girlfriend is from Korea, so I imagine there might be some complications here and there if her screenshots happen to be in Korean. :( Any advice or tips are appreciated!

Ana Elisa Miranda

1/8/2014 03:17:48 am

Hi Jeroen,
We got a Facebook chat history, pictures and a couple of flight tickets and hotel bookings and put everything together on a cd. The important thing is that the dates on everything can be confirmed and that you know each other for at least two years. So, the older your proofs, the better!
Good luck!

Jeroen

1/8/2014 04:38:23 am

Thanks for the reply!

The thing I was wondering about though, can you decide what conversations you give them, or do you have to give them to full chat logs or something? Sorry if it sounds confusing.

Ana Elisa Miranda

1/8/2014 05:10:30 am

Jeroen,

They didn't tell us anything specific about that. We gave the full conversation and frankly, I don't think they actually read it. Have you known each other for two years? If so, that's the most important thing you have to prove. Think verifiable dates and put everything you have together.

Jeroen

3/8/2014 06:52:59 am

We don't know each other 2 years yet, but in 2 months we will. Anyway thank you for the quick and helpful replies! I do think we have a lot to show them, so hopefully we'll be fine. Thanks again and good luck to you too!

Henki

2/8/2014 12:06:49 pm

Hi, It took me 1 year before getting my F card.reasons due to spelling error of my name on my passport .Today my F card is 4 years and 1 month.I have just contacted the commune about my nationality and their response is that I have not been legal for the pass 5 years with A, B, C, D, or F cards.so my question is that for the period of 1 year that I had Orange card, was I illagal or is it that no matter how long u stay with orange card, you will never qualify to apply for nationality. Please help me .Thanks.

Ana Elisa Miranda

3/9/2014 09:19:04 am

Henki, all I know about applying for nationality is that you have to have lived here for five years, worked for a certain time, know one of the languages. I don't know what they consider legal, but the waiting period with the orange card should count in my opinion. Anyways, the best thing is to get informed at the city hall or with a lawyer. Good luck!

Mimi

4/9/2014 04:14:16 am

Hi everyone.I have one question.I'm with my boyfriend for almost 1 year 6 months living together.we sign the contract by the community.the police came to visit.they gave me orange card for 6 months.we gave them all the proof we have .but I'm curious to know they will give me how many months or years after this orange card?because people told me I cant work with that orange card..thank you

Ana Elisa Miranda

4/9/2014 06:38:20 am

Hi Mimi,

After the six months, if your request is approved, your residence permit should be valid for five years and you can work and study.

jenny

20/5/2015 07:16:34 am

Hi Mimi,

What Visa do you have when u arrive here in Belgium? Do you directly live with your boyfriend and just go to community to tell your living together?

Thanks

Jacob

4/9/2014 08:15:16 pm

Hi....i have been living with my girlfriend for more than 1 year...we know each other for 1 year 7 months...now i pass the living together criteria...but there is another thing that i dont know that i should be worried or not...we live in an 2 room appartment.... Me and my gf live in a room...and an another girl lives in the another room...means we share bathroom and kitchen...do anyone have any idea if this will be a problem or not ? ...

Ana Elisa Miranda

5/9/2014 03:27:31 am

Hi Jacob,

I'm not sure but I think the important thing is that you can prove that you've lived together (names on a rental contract and registration at the town hall for example).

Good luck!

Mimi

6/9/2014 09:56:11 am

Thank you Ana for the reply.:)

Ana Elisa Miranda

6/9/2014 10:41:25 am

Anytime :)

jude

10/9/2014 05:45:18 am

Hello Ann.have you been able to re-apply again with your partner as it has been two years now since your both has knew each other.I just want you to share the good news with us.

Ana Elisa Miranda

10/9/2014 09:38:27 am

Hi! It's nice of you to ask. Yes, we re-applied and I got my resident card in April :)

I wrote some about it here: http://www.anaelisamiranda.com/blog/cohabitation-in-belgium-part-ii

jude

15/9/2014 09:32:00 am

Hi Ana,I am really happy for you that you finally got your resident card for 5years.I had this same problem with you and I pray everything turn out to be good at the end.My question is that if the immigration ones denied someone living together after he had is orange card for 6months so what is the chances of him getting his 5years resident card after he/his gf decide to give it a second chance by going to re-apply again in the gemeente house.Because they deniel my request with my gf after I had my orange card because they said we could't prove it that we have known each other for 2years.but know we have been officially living together for one year now and we are planning going to the commune to re-apply again for the samenwonen.pls I just want you to give me some advice on how to really go about this since you had ones passed through that stress before.pls your advice and reply will do me a whole lot of good.

ana s link

14/9/2014 02:55:43 am

Hey ,
My name is ana and i m planning to apply for cohabilation visa for belgium from india, with my boyfrnd .He is european national. we can arrange all documents hopefully but the main problem is that i dont have birthcertificate and my parents are divorced since my birth and we are not in much contact.Any body can please tell me if there is chance of accepting my visa if i have all odr documnts but no birthcertificates or i wl nvr get visa bcoz of no birthcerticicate.

Ana Elisa Miranda

15/9/2014 05:35:56 am

Hi Ana,

You can request a new birth certificate at the office/city hall where you were registered. It must be a recent one anyway and it's a mandatory document for the cohabitation application.

Good luck!

Dan

17/8/2015 10:08:48 am

Requesting for a new birth certificate in India after so many years is very difficult. It raises a lot of red flags in your local government office. You will need evidence from neighbors, evidence of your parents marriage, list of all your siblings their date of birth and place of birth and also an id. A baptism certificate from the church in case you were baptised.

Ana Elisa Miranda

15/9/2014 09:50:35 am

Jude,

If the only reason they denied was that you didn't have enough proof of knowing each other for two years and now that's in order, there should be no problem in applying again.

We hired a lawyer to contest the decision and at the same time we started a new application process with up-to-date documents and proofs. Got a new orange card and six months later, my resident ID.

I don't know if you can just apply again yourselves without a lawyer, but at the time it was the best decision for us because we were totally lost.

The best is to ask at the town hall where you live or at the Immigration Office to see what to do in your case. Good luck!

jude

15/9/2014 09:51:40 am

Hi Ana.I am a Nigerian I am have been officially living with my gf ffor one year now because the cop came to control our address last year October.I have one more question to ask you.To make my living together officially one year with my girlfriend is it the day the police came to control our address that our address started reading or the day we went to sign the cohabitation contract in the commune?Becuase ,the cop came last year October 2013 to control our address and he signed a declaration and hand it over to me to take to the commune to enable us sign a contract of cohabitation.I had my 6month orange card but the problem was that we could'nt prove our relationship for 2years.Since I ones had my orange card for 6months what is the chance of me having my resident card f-card for 5years since we had lived together now for a year?and what are the proofs we can present to the immigration to increase my chance of getting my resident card?pls reply me.thanks in advance.

Jude

15/9/2014 10:00:01 am

Ja we had a lawyer and my lawyer told me to wait till October since it was last year 2013 October the cop came to control my address.My Lwayer said that option will be the best since is a year now the cop came to verify that I leave with my gf.I live in Brussel with my Gf.do you think the commune in Brussel areas is more stricter than the commune in flanders (Flemish areas),because i have heard about different stories in commune in flemish areas.

Jude

15/9/2014 10:04:05 am

what is the positive thing of having a lawyer?do lawyers really do their jobs when it come to fighting for his/her client residency permit?in my own case i do have a lawyer and i know everything will be okay with the time is right.I am been positive because GOD who did it for you will do mine as well.

Ana Elisa Miranda

16/9/2014 02:47:57 pm

Hi Jude,

If a lawyer is on your case doing everything necessary, trust that it should be fine. If you meet all the requirements - in this case living together for one whole year - you should have no problem getting your resident card. Make sure that everything else is ok: proof of residence and income, health insurance, etc.

Sorry I can't advise you more specifically, all I know is based on my experience and there might be details on the law that I'm not aware of.

Good luck and come back to tell us the good news!

Jude

17/9/2014 04:09:20 am

Thanks Ana! I promise to come back to share the good news with you guys.I appreciate your efforts and concerns.

Mary Christene link

24/9/2014 06:38:23 am

Hi ana,I have problem too about my orange card Im married to a Belgian and we have all the requirements done,he have a salary of 3000 euro a month.i have my orange card before but I was denied,so I apply again for another one and again time waiting.im now on the fifth month of waiting for my second apply and yesterday I got a notice from the commune a white card note with FARDE OE on October 16,my orange card expires on October24,,now I'm worried again maybe FARDE OE mean I'm denied again,

Ana Elisa Miranda

6/10/2014 06:23:37 am

Hi Mary,

I don't know what that notice might mean.
If you met all the requirements, it should be fine.
Good luck!

6/10/2014 05:36:47 am

Hi,
Can anyone recommend me a good lawyer on the subject?
Thanks
Mayra

Ana Elisa Miranda

6/10/2014 06:24:04 am

Hi Mayra,

I sent you an email.

jude

6/10/2014 11:58:00 am

what happen when you applied for a cohabitation visa and your partner is working part time 4hour 3times in a week?and how much is the maximum financial requirement for cohabitating?

Ana Elisa Miranda

6/10/2014 01:15:45 pm

Hi Jude, all I know is that your partner has to provide proof of income (contract, latest paycheks) and the minimum monthly wage must be 1600 euros as Juliana Regueira informed on the top comments.

jude

7/10/2014 06:21:38 am

i was told that if she can prove it that she is looking for more hours for job that it will be okay by the immigration.i just need u to guide us on what to do?

Ana Elisa Miranda

7/10/2014 09:04:12 am

Jude,

I'm sorry but I can't guide you on what to do. I am not an expert on the subject and unfortunately I don't have any information on how to proceed if your partner works part-time.

I hope you find the correct information. Good luck!

Shannon

8/10/2014 03:54:59 am

Ana,
So glad I stumbled upon your blog- congrats on securing your card! That has to feel so great.
My partner was just denied our visa yesterday- we applied in the USA because we were told to do that before moving here, but just found out we didn't get it. I'm not sure if we should wait to reapply here or to speak to a lawyer and appeal? And if you think my partner should just stay in Belgium for the time being- she's only been here for not even 3 months.
I'd love your recommendations, or any lawyers you'd recommend as well. Thanks so much!

Ana Elisa Miranda

8/10/2014 06:17:35 am

Hi Shannon,

When I got my visa denied, they gave me a document explaining the reason: no sufficient proof of knowing each other for 2 years. They also gave me the alternative: file an appeal within 30 days or leave the country. We filed the appeal, reapplied showing sufficient proof and it worked.

Do you know the reason your application was refused?

If all the requirements are good now, I would definitely file an appeal and reapply before the 3 months are up. Visit your town hall and see what they say.

Good luck!

itoro chucks

28/10/2014 09:53:26 am

Is so clear now that the cohabitation law has become more tightened under the new government .someone just told me now that the commune no longer give 6months orange card after appying for cohabitation visa.when you apply you will have to wait till 6month until after the immigration take decision whether your procedure will be positive or not.Is so weird to hear this new development.Pls how true is this news,because I have heard from two reliable source.Pls confirm this news.Thanks in advanvce.

itoro chucks

28/10/2014 10:03:21 am

is it true that if you ones had you cohabitation visa denied by the immigration that the police will also have to control your address again the secod time if you want to re-apply again.Because my friend and her gf procedure was ones denied because of lack of proofs provided and now they both had live together for more then one year and they had some proofs to show the strenght of their relationship,but they went back to the commune again 5months after their cohabitation visa was denied only for the woman they meant working in the commune said that they will have to wait for the police to come and control if her bf still stay there before they can re-apply.My QUESTION is why will they have to wait for the police to come again when the police came the first time the apply before.Is that a new law or old existing law.I had your procedure was ones denied before you finally got your application approved last year April.Did the Police came to control your address the second time before you and your bf were able to apply?Thanks for your reply in advance.Congrat Ms Ana Miranda for your f card five years resident permit.

Ana Elisa Miranda

30/10/2014 08:03:14 am

Hi Itoro,

The police agent didn't have to visit us again. We re-applied immediately after the denial, this was around august/september '13.

The laws have been changing and I also heard the procedures vary a little from city hall to city hall.

joseph

29/10/2014 01:18:02 pm

what happened when te police come to control your address but you were not home but the police met your girlfriend at home and my girlfriend told her I went out to see someone but she said ok and she ask of my sis-card but I took it along with me and she only ask to see my girlfriend I dentity card and she gave it to her and she said ok.Do u think there will be any complications?pls advice

Ana Elisa Miranda

30/10/2014 08:05:40 am

Joseph,

When the police agent visited me, my boyfriend wasn't home either and that should not be a problem. He signed a form that I needed to go back to the town hall and proceed with the application.

emma becky

14/11/2014 11:35:49 am

Hello dear
Please I do need some help....am a third world nation who,s been living and working in Greece for 4 years...my boyfriend is Belgium and we both planning for cohabitation but wwe haven,t got all that proof like tickets and dated pictures...etc....can any one tell me if I stand a chance of staying?...at the moment I was given 3 months to stay in belgium and we both don't,tknow what to do....help...am too frustrated...

Ana Elisa Miranda

6/1/2015 05:37:36 am

Hi Emma,

Have you been to the city hall to see what you need? How long have you been together? You don't have to have many proofs, as long as they are enough to prove that you know each other for two years.

Some things are different according to the city hall, so the best is that you go there and ask. Good luck!

emma rebecca

19/5/2015 07:20:36 am

yes Ana, we have been several times to the townhall but all they ask is the prove that we know each other for 2 years. this is imposible because we only know each other for just 7 months and for this proof yes we have it all. was married 4 and half years in greece and devorced last april in greece, we met in october last year when i came to visit my sister in belgium...i often made frequent visits to belgium in last years and i met my bf when i was here last october....how can we for sure prove that? please help, we were told that if we file our request with only the evidence of 7 months we stand a 98 percent of beying denied but we have visited different organisations like CAW for help and they all say it,s better we file however we are ver scared of that denial bomb. am kindly asking, should we hare a lawyer before filing or do please have any other posibilities on how we can stay together in belgium without being apart? hope you have my email...we don,t know anyone or any interacial couples to ask for advice or how they went through this...will be happy when my request is kindly put into consideration...please we can talk more from other means via my email.
thanks alot for your help and may God bless you much

Aqil

17/11/2014 11:42:11 am

Hi i have question About my procedure we have living together now for almost 7 month offically we get 6month orange card it Gonna be finished in 21 november and we r get married on 2i november but we still have not heard Anything from stadhuis so is it good for us That They dont send Anything and how Many chances That we get positieve i Will glad to have ur. Davide on that

Ana Elisa Miranda

6/1/2015 05:38:58 am

Hi Aqil,

Sorry I took long to reply.

How is your process going? Was it approved? Did you get married? Good luck!

Marc link

5/1/2015 01:26:31 pm

Hi ana,

Good luck with your application. Just one question. Where the birth certificate should be legalized in belguim or at the place of birth?

Ana Elisa Miranda

6/1/2015 05:41:01 am

Marc,

The city halls ask different things. I only had to legalize the translation, not the birth certificate itself. But I heard people saying they were asked to legalize it in their country of birth.

Make sure with the city hall where you live. Good luck!

dear

5/1/2015 02:03:32 pm

Hello please help..i stayed with my step daughter in belgiun and with my son..and i have pension frm my husband so i no need to go work..but i got orange card and will be expired on april 2015..but the problem is the stad huis ask me for my health insurance..so i went to insurance here in belgium but they cannot make me a member because they need my ecard .but the stad huis say i can only get the ecard after i send all the requirements and the only that i need to submit is health insurance ..is there somebody knows here where i can get health insurance ? Make me stress for all of these...thanks for the reply..really appreciated...

Ana Elisa Miranda

6/1/2015 05:42:38 am

Have you checked with all the insurance companies? Can your son add you to his insurance?

Elvis

7/1/2015 12:15:41 pm

Hello, i have a residence in belgium since one year and a half and i am with me girlfriend since that time also together.. Soon me documents will expire so we were thinking to make a legal cohabitation i already moved to her adress and waiting the police to come . Is not more easier the proccess if i am already here resident ? How can we prove that we see each odher every weekend is exepted the word of the people that know us ?

Elvis

8/1/2015 03:04:48 am

When we will give all the documentation will be in paper or CD? How can they verify the dates of the pictures ? and does it count the conversations in "WHATS UPP" and text mesages in telephone? i mean who send mails in a relationship exept smth important Thanks for attention :-)

Miguel C.

15/1/2015 02:38:48 am

Hi,

The date of the pictures (taken by a digital camera) can be verified in the properties of the digital files of each picture. This is as a "tag" about when they were taken.

Good look.

Elvis

8/1/2015 03:07:36 am

And plz advice me a Lawyer about me case

Ana Elisa Miranda

20/7/2015 07:34:02 am

Hi Elvis,
Is your girlfriend Belgian or EU citizen or does she hold a legal residence here? Do you meet all the requirements for the application? (Including proof that you've known each other for two years).

May

19/1/2015 04:02:33 am

Hi,
I got my F-Card few months ago, I can travel outside Schengen area and come back with it right?

My second question is, what kind of job can I apply for if am an English speaker residing in the Flemish area, and my native language isn't required here. People don't speak any English around here only Dutch, and am trying to learn Dutch, which is very hard >.<, I've been sitting at home for a year, but i want to earn some money... any ideas? Thanks

Ana Elisa Miranda

20/7/2015 07:36:25 am

Hi May,
It's frustrating and it takes time, but you do have to learn Dutch to have more work opportunities. Did you follow the Integration course? Did you go to the VDAB? You can also go straight to the interim agencies and see what they can do for you. Good luck!

Denise Dunnahoo

3/2/2016 06:38:15 pm

Legally you can only travel outside the Schengen area once you have your long term visa. As I US citizen I am speaking from experience on this matter. As stated it will give you a broader range of jobs to pick from, if you learn Netherlands.Good luck and safe travels.

Mario

2/2/2015 10:20:04 am

Hi, I have two questions that maybe you can help! :)

1- Where did you apply for "Visa/ Family reunion residence request" ? (I'm living in Gent)

I was at migration office and they said that we can only request the visa at the Belgium embassy in my country.

2- Can I request for the visa being Illegal?

The declaration of cohabitation could take more days than I have left as a tourist. That would happen for sure. You received the orange card by requesting that visa and not by declaring the cohabitation, right?

Thanks!!

lyuba

2/2/2015 11:49:22 am

Hi Mario!

I think I can help. I came to Belgium on a tourist visa. Me and my Belgian bf went to a city hall to sign a cohabitation contract. And afterwards with that contract went to a Loket migratie, a department dealing with foreigners. We brought that contract and based on that started the process of family reunion. After they will give you 3 months to bring all documents proving that your relationship is genuine ( you should either live together for at least one year or date for two years). normally they should give you an attest 19ter, which allows you to stay in the country without visa. My visa was also expiring, so be sure to tell them that You need an appointment before it expires. I got my orange card 3 months after I came to theor office first time.

My advice be fast and go to sign the cohabitation now. Don't forget you need some documents for that: proof from your embassy that you are not married with apostille from the office of foreign affairs in Brussels, your passport, your partner's ID and of course your partner :)

Ana Elisa Miranda

20/7/2015 07:39:06 am

Hi Iyuba,

Thanks for answering Mario's question, it was super helpful :)

dee

7/4/2015 12:38:18 am

Thanks so much for the information.
I have a few questions.
My boyfriend is a Belgian citizen and we have known each other now for almost a year. I live outside Belgium and hope to go live with him for a while. My problem is that I will have to give up working during this time it seems like.
When can I get a work permit to legally work in Belgium. I assume it is not possible to do so while the application is being processed.
From start to finish- how long did you have to remain without work and depend on your partner for financial assistance?

Thanks
Dee

Ana Elisa Miranda

20/7/2015 07:27:38 am

Hi Dee,

Work situation varies from person to person - studies, experience, languages, networking. It took me around two years to actually have a full time contract, but that's my case. You are allowed to work with your temporary card (the orange card) but as you only know each other for one year, you don't meet the requirement for legal cohabitation yet (you have to prove that you know each other for two full years at least). Good luck!

emma rebecca

13/5/2015 12:50:04 am

please i kindly request for a lawyer about this case. i live in the flanders(aalst), we just signed for legal cohabitation with my bf and all is ok but we cant prove that we,ve been together for 2 years. however, we are now officially living together, please what is the meaning of this? the agreement has no expirey date so can that mean that we can live together as we wait for de time of 2 years or i have to leave? the cops visited us already and all is fine, please enlight me and my email is sunnygal26@gmail.com. please we need a lawyer who know about immigration we are very frusrated...

Ana Elisa Miranda

20/7/2015 07:23:49 am

I'm sorry, but I'm not in the position of giving advice. I can only share what happened to me. We applied in 2013 and could prove that we knew each other for ALMOST two years. It was denied. That took six months. We looked for a lawyer, applied again because at the time the two years factor was already in order and finally got it. That took another six months.

The laws have been changing and the city halls proceed differently, but I guess the proof of two years is crucial.

Other visa options are student, work or spouse. Good luck!

Gosse

13/8/2015 03:54:56 pm

Hi guys, I'm Dutch and my girlfriend is Ukrainian. We are in the process and we spoke to a couple of lawyers. One pointed out that there has recently been a constitutional court decision which brought down the requirement of two years to one year. He said that if you push for it and point out the courts decision, they normally accept it with proof of knowing each other for one year. I have not experienced this myself but this is what a lawyer told me.

Vinita

13/6/2015 09:56:30 pm

Dear Ana,
I am an India and living in India.I am in a relationship with a Belgian Citizen since 2010, but I have mails since 2012.Now the case is I have booked my ticket for 4 July to apply for a visitor's visa, but recently i found out about the cohabitation visa and did not apply for the visitor's visa.My friend told me to just wait aa he wants to apply for the cohabitation visa from Belgium.He has taken an appointment with the lawyer to do the needful.Is it possible for him to apply from Belgium on my behalf or do i have to applt from India?
Thanks in advance for the help.
Regards
Vinita

Ana Elisa Miranda

20/7/2015 07:21:46 am

Hi Vinita,
I don't know if Indian nationals need a tourist visa to enter Belgium. If you don't, and if you have all the required documents for cohabitation, you could just come and apply here in Belgium. If you do need a visa, I guess you could apply for cohabitation at the Belgian Embassy in India and then come. Good luck!

dave link

29/7/2015 03:03:19 am

I have been refused two-time my application for F-card as a family member of Belgium. I live 2 years plus legally with my Belgian partner. First, I was denied with the reason that I have not live legally up to 1 year with my partner. I re-applied and second refusal that we do not have stable/sufficient income. My partner just lost her job and still searching for another job while she got unemployment benefit. But I also work full time via interim based on weekly contract and work for 38 hours per week with a letter from my employer confirming that I can work with them for a long period. The commune told me my income doesn't count, but that of my partner matter and that she do not have proof that she is searching for job. I was given bijlage 20 and with that I can not continue with my employer. Can any one advice me what to do, please.

Ana Elisa Miranda

10/8/2015 06:30:41 am

Hi Dave,

You should look for help from an immigration specialist (an organization or a lawyer), to know how to proceed in your case. Good luck!

sheila

3/8/2015 07:00:42 am

hi...can anyone help pls...
my belgian identity card expired while im still in the philippines. i called the embassy of belgium in my country and they told me that since i got my identity card in Belgium...i should renew it in Belgium...question is...can i travel to belgium with an expired identity card?

Ana Elisa Miranda

10/8/2015 06:33:28 am

Sorry, Sheila, I don't know how that works. Try contacting the embassy again or the city hall where you are registered. Good luck!

joy

9/8/2015 01:46:21 pm

hello, can someone without visa or any status apply for cohabitation in belgium if he/she get a pertner that have all the requiarement

Ana Elisa Miranda

10/8/2015 06:37:31 am

Hi Joy,
The best is to get information from the city hall where you would apply or from a lawyer. Good luck!

Denise

3/9/2015 03:15:00 pm

Hello, everyone....I too, am in a holding pattern. PATIENCE doesn't begin to describe the experience of trying to get my F-card (orange card) HEMORRHOID is what I call it. There really are no clear concise directions in one spot, when it comes to the process. At least for me coming to Belgium from the US. It has been an emotional roller coaster, and a nightmare for us. I am still waiting to hear on the appeal submitted by the lawyer. There were 2 reasons I was denied. I agree that it is someone's best interest to wait to apply until you can prove you have known each other at least 2 years. I can promise that even if you love your partner, The process will test it. I really was considering doing a blog on my trials and tribulations to help others navigate the system. I'm glad someone has done that. I am not an expert, and always seek out new friends. We live in the West Flanders. Not only am treated like a second class citizen for my floundering Netherlands, but more like a 3rd class citizen because I know dialect even less. In my experiences I would not say as a general rule, the Belgians are over friendly. I mean no disrespect toward anyone, perhaps its more of a cultural difference. I have met some really nice people, but over all the seem to keep me at arms length. If interested in becoming friends,or if I can try to help, let me know. Thanks for your time. Denise

Ana Elisa Miranda

10/9/2015 05:46:28 pm

Hi Denise, thanks for sharing your experience!
Hang in there, things will work out :)

Denise

10/9/2015 08:14:29 pm

Thanks, I always maintain hope.

Wangui

11/10/2015 06:25:46 pm

Would like to be friends, am in the same position and experience the same.

Denise Dunnahoo

12/10/2015 06:07:37 pm

Sounds great. Here is my e-mail denisedunnahoo@hotmail.com and you can also find me on facebook. Look forward to it.
Denise Dunnahoo

Theo

4/9/2015 12:47:02 pm

Hello Ana,
I was searching for information on Cohabitation/Belgian residency and I stumbled on your blog. Thought it could hurt to ask... I just received my Belgian residency card (I'm American) and in the meeting, the woman at the commune said that I can't leave Belgium for the next six months (the duration of the conditional residency) at the risk of not being let back in if belgian officers chose to look into my file and see that I should leave and return. Then the woman who granted my residency said if I don't use the belgian ID and just my passport to re-enter, I should be okay. Do you have any knowledge on this bit? Thank you for your help!

Ana Elisa Miranda

10/9/2015 05:50:48 pm

Hi Theo, thanks for sharing your experience.
I don't have first hand knowledge of this, I stayed in Belgium for one year while waiting for my permanent id, because I was also told I was not allowed out of the country. I've heard of people who traveled using only their passports and were ok, a matter of luck, I guess.

Denise

12/10/2015 06:11:08 pm

I did travel back to the US for a visit. When I arrived back at the airport, when they asked me for my orange card, I told them it was in my checked luggage and they let me pass through. Not an endorsement, but I was ok. Good luck to you.

Lauren

4/12/2015 02:03:57 pm

Hi Theo,

I'm thinking of traveling to the US too on my orange card, but I think I'm traveling through Paris so I don't think my passport will be checked in Belgium- did you end up traveling home, and if so what was your experience?

Denise Dunnahoo

9/1/2016 05:57:01 am

I did end up staying in the US for 2 months. I came back and that's when I started the appeal process and new application for my long term visa. Still waiting to hear back on it.

Sally

10/9/2015 12:02:15 pm

Hi again
We have made some progress since my last post. I am now in Belgium and we have signed the 'samen wonen' but now I am waiting for my orange card. Do you know how long it can take to get an orange card. The reason I need it urgently is because I have found a job but to be able to work I should have the orange card + biljage 19ter. I have received the biljage 19ter as I am now in Belgium for more than 3 months but as I don't have the orange card I can't start my job. Of course my permanent visa will be a separate process after this. We have an appointment with the stad to submit all our papers for my permanent visa but in the meantime they should issue me an orange card and it is taking too long to get the orange card.
If anyone can let me know their experience of getting the orange card that would be most helpful. Thank you!

Ana Elisa Miranda

10/9/2015 05:52:29 pm

Hi Sally!
Congrats on your job! I'm not sure how long it takes, but if I remember right it didn't take more than two weeks for me to get my orange card. Try to keep in touch with the town hall. Good luck!

Denise

10/9/2015 08:15:57 pm

I had to wait 2 months, but every case is different. Good luck.

Goni

14/9/2015 10:33:21 pm

Dear Sir/Madam

I would be happy to answer to my question someone who has experiences with the same circumstances.

I am Serbian citizen and mu wife also she is Serbian citizen she has living here for about 15 years and she has normally resident card C.

We got married here in Belgium in April 2014 and we applied in December 2014 and they rejected reason why rejected was because my wife she was studying till December 2014 and she recieved benefit from CPAS and they said you are not allowed cos your income is under 1307 euro and that's why they rejected. Recently we applied more then 23 different places and still can't get job my wife. So if she can't find then they will refuse me continuously.

I really would be happy to answer my question who has the same circumstantias.

Goni

20/10/2015 03:39:48 pm

Hi Goni. Sorry to hear your application was denied.
Proof of minimal income is one of the requirements.
I hope you find a way!

Sam link

17/9/2015 06:54:20 am

Hello Anna,
here is the situation. I am a Canadian citizen. I met a Moroccan/ Belgian woman online. she visited me in Canada few times and started her drama of loneliness. she pushed and tracked me for 3 years until I finally married her in Belgium. I have been living with her for 4 months. I came to the conclusion that life with her is impossible for many reasons, including my suspicions that she suffers from Autism and attention deficit disorder.
I'm now in Belgium, i got my orange card without any problem. after I get the five year card in November, can i just live in another city in BElgium or holland by myself without her living with me and while me visiting her from time to time?
Sam

Ana Elisa Miranda

20/10/2015 03:37:15 pm

Hi Sam. I really can not advise you in this situation. Bear in mind that your permission to legally live here is related to your relationship.

Mil

28/9/2015 05:23:02 pm

Hello, one question. Im in process for orange card ( still dont have it ,but soon) im planing to go in Holand for a 2 days or so.. The question is ,if i give them my passport in hotel ,and they save my passport number and details ,will that affect somehow on my process? Can police find out that i was in Holand ?

Ana Elisa Miranda

20/10/2015 03:34:38 pm

Hi Mil. Sorry, I don't know what can happen.
I think that if you've been here for less than three months (on a tourist permission) it should not be a problem.

Jane

18/10/2015 06:47:36 pm

Thanks for telling your story! I'm wondering if you, or any of your readers, know if it is true that the Belgian partner cannot be a student when applying for a cohabitation visa. My partner & I have been in a legal cohabitation for 1 year and have known each other for over 5 years. We would love to apply for a cohabitation visa so I can stay heer once I've finished studying, but I've read conflicting reports on if the Belgian partner can be a student. Thanks!

Ana Elisa Miranda

20/10/2015 03:32:31 pm

Hi Jane, I'm not sure. It might depend on his/her income and the means to prove that.

jane link

24/10/2015 07:37:06 pm

hi
I know this website is about cohabitation, I just want some advise, concerning appeal in Belgium, my application for marriage was rejected, I wanted to apply for cohabitation, but, my lawyer said is only for partners who has Belgium nationality, bcos, my bf has 5years card, since, I was given 30days to leave the country, my lawyer appeal for regularisation, I complete 5years in Belgium last month, I appeal my decision 3years ago, but up till now no decision of my appeal, if they did not accept my appeal, why not give me negative, so, dat i no where I stand, I no, wen someone appeal, there must be a decision, whether, positive or negative, but, why my own case is different.

Ana Elisa Miranda

10/11/2015 02:10:49 pm

Hi Jane, sorry I can't help. I wish you good luck!

Hanna

9/11/2015 12:54:34 am

Hello Anna,

I have Belgian boyfriend and we will be 2 years by October next year. Were interested in doing the cohabitation visa. I just have some questions. I am cureently holding an au pair visa here in Norway and last year in Belgium and thats how we met. I was curious that if I end my contract here and just apply directly to the commune there, would there be a problem in my stay? Dont I need to go back home to Apply for a schengen visa again. When you went to the commune for your declaration of arrival did they give you a 90 days of legal stay? And with the medical cert. What did you do? Did you go to the accredited ones? Or just let it stamp by your doctor. And also with the travel insurance? Is it ok if I ask my bf to have me under his insurance? Thank you!

Ana Elisa Miranda

10/11/2015 02:09:16 pm

Hi Hanna,
It depends on your nationality. Do you need a tourist visa to come here? If so, I think you should get that before coming to apply for cohabitation. I'm Brazilian and I don't need a tourist visa, so when I came I automatically got a 90 day permission to stay. In that time we arranged everything and then I had the "orange card" in hands.
I did not need a medical certificate. You should check the detailed requirements at the city you'll be applying.
My boyfriend added me to his health insurance but I did have travel insurance when I first came, which covered a few weeks.
Good luck!

Hannah

3/2/2016 10:36:15 pm

Thanks for your response Ana. Im a Filipina, but I am holding right now a residence card in Norway. Which is valid all throughout the Schengen for two years as long as I am an au pair here. Which commune did you apply? Were in Antwerp but my bf was a bit hesitant to check it yet as it was too early for October. I was hoping they wont be stricter by that time.

Nitz link

11/11/2015 02:13:36 pm

Hallo ana,
I am recently live in belgium right now i am previously work as aupair last 2013 and after my contract end april 2014 me and my boyfriend decided to live together and we had an lawyer to process my papers , recently my boyfriend had no work coz he had an accident , but until now i dont have any results coming from the immigration.. It would be nearly two years now the process next year april 2016. Thank you ana

Eli

11/11/2015 06:27:07 pm

Hi ana, I have a question, currently I´m studying in Belgium, and we (belgian my boyfriend ad me) want to start a procedure of cohabitation, however, I would like to know if there is any problem to apply, since I`m a student and I have a visa for one year and I´ve read in your blog that you cannot study or work.

Ana Elisa Miranda

11/11/2015 08:52:13 pm

Hi Eli,

The most important is that you fulfill the requirements - known each other for two years, your boyfriend's proof of income, etc.
We found a law that said you are allowed to work with the orange card, since your partner is Belgian, but I didn't find a job at that time to say from experience.
Ask for details at the city hall. Good luck!

jeev

19/11/2015 12:28:11 am

hi
my question is my husbend got belgium nationality , i have five years resident card. this time can i apply for the belgium nationality
thankyou

Ana Elisa Miranda

20/11/2015 11:45:08 am

Hi Jeev,
I think so, if you meet all the other requirements (I don't know the details, so check them out).

Hennis

2/12/2015 07:10:44 pm

Hi ana.

First of all,thanks for a great blog,its nice to see there are people out there in same boat.

My question is as follows

My girlfriend (belgian) of 1 year and 11 months is Belgian,and I (south african) is having major battles with the visa.

We have all the necessary documents except for the monthly income but she has a lump sum of the monthly requirement saved up as proof of income which will pay out the monthly 1600 €.

She is a masters student and and I am done already and for that reason,she has not started working till june 2016.

I am visiting in December and want to know if we approuch the gemeentehuis to give me an orange card,Will I then beable to stay till june while our application is processed.

I hope it makes sense

We will be together for two years then

Thanks a million for ur advice

Ana Elisa Miranda

5/12/2015 12:04:20 pm

Hi Hennis,
What I know about the income requirement is that you need proof of steady income, recent paychecks or work contract for example.

When you visit in December, ask for details at the city hall, see what's best for you guys. Good luck!

victot

12/12/2015 03:14:29 pm

Hi ana, pls can i start cohabitation with my gfd that is not belgium citizen but have permanent 5yr reside

Ana Elisa Miranda

8/1/2016 12:59:56 pm

Sorry, I'm not sure. What I read was "Belgian or European citizen". But try asking at the city hall.

ali

20/12/2015 11:17:28 pm

hey all i want to some information about my F card i got marriage 6 month before i got orange card after one week my card going expire i dont receive any letter to commune is i go to commune for demand my F card,i work 38h week i submitted all documents which commune demand my pay is 1500euro can you tell me what i do?

sabah

23/12/2015 02:54:49 pm

Hello,

I have 2 questions. I apologize because I know that you aren't paid or anything to answer questions but I have tried to do research and your blog has been the most helpful so far.

1) the single status certificate- Can this just be a document we type up, get notarized and "apostile of the hagued"? Also for the birth certificate, what does legalized mean?

2)Do I need to get an FBI/State background check as well?

I really really appreciate your help and your time!!!
Best,
Sabah

Ana Elisa Miranda

8/1/2016 01:03:41 pm

For me, a Brazilian citizen, that meant:
1) The Brazilian Consulate in Belgium provided me with a single status certificate;
I had my original birth certificate translated and legalized by a specialized company called Crealingua.
2) I don't think so. I had a police background check with me, but they didn't ask for it.

Good luck!

kenny

4/1/2016 02:38:47 pm

hello i want to know if age matter in cohabitation i am 50yr my woman is 70yr and we live together for 1yr 6mth she live with her pension 1100 with other exral 500 euro from his x man pls i want to know my chance advive me she have his own house

Ana Elisa Miranda

8/1/2016 12:58:03 pm

As far as I know there is no age limit to apply for cohabitation. If you meet all the other requirements, go for it. Good luck!

Ali link

5/1/2016 10:17:29 pm

Hi Ana,

I think patience is not the right word to get through this hell hole. I mean there is so much uncertainity that its hard to understand. I have been in beligium for almost two years now and living with my wife (belgian citizen) at her parents house since day one. the bottom line is my 5 year card was rejected on the day when i was supposed to receive it. I did pay the fees for 5 year card but when i got there to receive it they said its been denied coz my wife is not working and due to the lack of funds even though my marriage is recognised in belgium. I have Annex 35 since August 2015 and i'm waiting on my appeal. I have been working for last year and half full time (legally) in belgium and making way more than what they have mentioned on the immigration website. Plus, since my wife is a full time student she is under her father's support, We have submitted those documents along with my paycheck and her fathers paycheck and still no sign of improvement.

Plus, My lawyers is a fat stinky liar and doesnt do much about it. I would like to know what are the chances of me getting the F card and how long will it take more. Or should i apply for a new case simultaneously.

Regards,
Ali

Hennis

7/1/2016 10:13:33 pm

Hi Ali

I am in exactly the same situation as you.My gf of 2 years is still a student and dont have an income as yet but other means of proof of payment was also denied.Its been such a battle.

Would it be possible to get in contact with you over email?

what Visa did you initially travel to belgium on?

Thanks a million and goodluck with the forward struggle

ali

13/1/2016 10:18:59 pm

email me saajanbutt1@gmail.com

Ana Elisa Miranda

8/1/2016 01:07:01 pm

I'm in no position to give you legal advice. What we did was: we filed an appeal when my first application was denied. At the same time, we applied again at the city hall, since the reasons for denial were fixed by then. It worked.

Best of luck, patience and success in Belgium.

Ali link

8/1/2016 05:05:49 pm

Hi Hensen,

First and foremost thanks Ana for your reply and hensen you can message me on allineedis1chance@gmail.com.

Peace and love

13/1/2016 04:52:38 pm

Hi Ana, thanks for the information. My boyfriend has Belgian citizenship. We have been dating for less than a year and I live in the USA and he lives in Belgium. Our plan is for me to move there so we can be together - but I can come over only on a tourist visa. Have you come across any situations from others on how you can prove living together for one year if one partner has to continually leave because of the tourist visa requirements? Thanks.

Ana Elisa Miranda

18/1/2016 02:14:14 pm

Hi KC,

The relationship length requirements are: one year living together (continuously) OR two years knowing each other. I would wait until one of these is true before applying for legal cohabitation, it'll save you a lot of trouble.

Good luck!

27/1/2016 10:12:45 pm

Well, he has now asked me to marry him, so I think I've solved this problem! We plan to marry in USA and then me move to Belgium.

Ana Elisa Miranda

3/2/2016 02:30:21 pm

All the best!

Lauren

31/7/2019 05:15:37 pm

Hi KC, was the problem solved eventually by marrying first. And how long did the Family Reunification visa application take to go through? I hope for your sake it proved to be straightforward. My bf is in Belgian and a BE citizen. I am in another country. Would you mind sharing your story with me please if I emailed you?

Denise Dunnahoo

13/1/2016 11:32:45 pm

Hi KC, speaking from my personal experience as a US citizen currently waiting to hear back on my 2nd request for a long term visa. I would stay in the US closer to your 2 year anniversary of meeting. I am in no way an expert, but based on my nightmare and hell, I think it would go smoother for you While a long term relationship is not ideal, it will also provide you with proof of the length of your relationship. Through facebook, skype, emails, plane tickets, hotel rooms registered to you both, pictures together etc. Making sure that you can prove through dates, that you have maintained the relationship for that length of time. One of the reasons my first visa application was denied, was because my Belgian bf and I had not know each other for at least 2 years. Had I waited, it would have been a heck of a lot less expensive and a lot less headache. I wish you success whatever you decide, and let me know if I can be of any further help, or if you want my email.. Sometimes it helps just knowing that others are struggling in similar situations, but we have our own network of support on Ana's helpful blog.

Ana Elisa Miranda

18/1/2016 02:16:08 pm

Thanks for sharing, Denise! It means a lot. I'm glad this post has been helping so many couples :)

Kia

15/1/2016 07:42:32 pm

Hi Ana,
I'm a bit confused, can you help me with these two requirements:

1. Proof knowing each other for 2 years (like in your case)
2. Have lived together for 1 year

Should we passed BOTH number 1 & 2 or it can be either ONLY number 1 or 2.
Because I've lived with my partner for 1 year but we knew each other less than 2 years.

Also I'm still a master student with no income or work, can I combine my partner's salary with payment support from my parents?

Thanx so much for your answer Ana !

Ali

17/1/2016 10:19:34 pm

Hi Kia,

I was just going through the comment section and couldn't resist to share my insight which may help you in your case.

First thing if your Belgium and your boyfriend is from someother country than I would suggest you should finish your school and than apply for the cohabitation case because things will be a lot easier once you have a job.

Secondly if he is Belgian and working than you guys just need to provide his last six months salary slips along with your other documents. You do not have to work.

You can prove your relationship by providing them the plane tickets, your pics, messages, emails and if any gifts you guys have exchange during this time through postal or courier services. Keep all the letters and courier envelopes you guys may have send it to each other. You need to show them that you guys have met each atleast 45 days in past two year which they can see by your airline tickets and visas.

And if you have any proof of living together for an year, Provide those documents by submitting the lease of the apartment if any under both of you, utility bills etc etc.

I hope this helps and I believe Anna can explain much better.

Ana Elisa Miranda

18/1/2016 02:18:51 pm

Thanks, Ali! That's just what I was going to tell Kia.

Kia

22/1/2016 05:36:19 pm

Dear both,

Thank you very much for your information.

I can't work in Belgium because I'm studying and not EU citizens, that's why I hope my partner's salary would be sufficient.

We only knew each other around 15 months, but we will try to apply because we have lived together for 1 year.
I would suggest her to apply before my student visa is finished because it would take so much energy if I have to go back to my home country then return to Belgium again.

Thank you once again for your info !

Loz

3/2/2016 05:03:54 pm

Thank you Ana for posting this! Ah so happy to find all you guys! I've been feeling totally alone waiting for this decision to be made, and so scared of rejection! It's so long to wait with no rights to work or study or travel. My partner invited me on a trip to Asia for our 3 year anniversary and I can't go cause town hall forbids me leaving Belgium unless a family member has died! Anyone know if there is a Facebook group or anything to chat amongst ourselves about this? Or anyone have an interest in making one?

Ana Elisa Miranda

3/2/2016 05:47:39 pm

Hi Loz,

I'm glad you're here, you're not alone.
I don't know of any group, maybe it's a good idea to start one :)

Good luck with your process!

Denise Dunnahoo

3/2/2016 06:41:36 pm

I think that's an excellent idea. Perhaps facebook would be a good place for it, since that has a large range of people from all over. Good luck.

Ana Elisa Miranda

12/2/2016 10:48:18 am

Hi everyone! Our Facebook group is here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/213504602333116/ :)

Marineth

19/2/2016 02:54:22 am

Hi maam, I am from philippines, we applied for family reunification Visa 2 times already and was refused. The first reason is that my husband doesn't have the work contract yet and he stays at his parents house. So we apply again for the second time lat December 2015 and unfortunately we received the same decision again and was refused, but the reason now was that the Landlord/Owner of the apartment stated on the contract that the apartment permits 2 people only and it should be 3 people because i am bringing my daughter with me too. Now my question is, Is is possible if we appeal and submit new house contract and change the contract legally signed by owner, will we get the approval this time? Or we just have to re apply again?

Ana Elisa Miranda

19/2/2016 10:22:21 am

Hi Marineth,

As far as I know, the appeal on its own won't give you the resident permit. You have to apply again and all the requirements must be met in order to get a positive answer - your partner must prove sufficient income and residence.

Good luck!

Marineth

20/2/2016 08:25:28 am

Hi again maam, our plan now is to appeal, change the apartment contract legally by stating the apartment can stay 3 people in it signed by the Landlord then submit to the immigration. That is the only problem, about the sufficient income, he earns enough and with the lodging the apartment has two bedrooms. Just the contract itself that was mistakenly wrote =(

Ali

20/2/2016 11:08:02 am

I would suggest do not appeal apply it again. With appeal you don't know how long it will take and whether they will approve it or not. Get the correct contract from your landlord and apply it again. That's my personal suggestion to you.I have appealed and waiting for the decision for last two years.

The decision is yours and i hope this helps.

Marineth

22/2/2016 03:43:01 am

thank you maam for the answer. God bless =)

Lily

24/2/2016 04:53:32 pm

Hi everbody, yestarday I recieve a message from the commune with notice for FARDE OE, I am working here in Belgium with work permit and carte A, which I recieved few months ago. I cannot understand what is this FARDE OE ..... does somebody know, please help !

Kim

25/2/2016 11:36:14 am

Hi Ana & Everyone!
Just a question about the income requirements, it is 1600€ as in gross income or net income??

Pls let me know thank you!!

ali

25/2/2016 02:54:52 pm

I believe its 1400 € net income each month.

Lawani

4/3/2016 06:21:41 pm

Hello everyone , I have been here before now and I again just got the unfair justices of Belgium and it's government, I feel very tired now , tears can't stop flowing , am sick , sadden, unhappy ,,, you can name it , almost 4years now fighting and waiting patiently for good news on my documents but all to nothing , last year they said I have not lived with my partner for a year , which now is not the case anymore , today I got to the Stad house Coz my document got expired and all to hear again my spouse income is not enough and not well proven , he is self standing and proved 2100 as his monthly income , now am really so down , I lost my 2 jobs again , they fired me and start people said they can't pay me if no documents , professional cleaning sent a letter to terminate my contract , I also go to school in Antwerp as a chef , my point for saying all this is , this system is really bad , how come they say my income is irrelevant and 2200 is not enough for 2 people and when u speak , the 1st thing they will say to u is go back to your country , this so called country will teach you hate and crush you , a lot of people don't work , they take money from the government and yet they are favoured and we that try hard to make it the right way are being treated unfair , I wish there was really something to go back to in Africa , I will live and never come back , now I made an appointment to see my lawyer on Tuesday to see what can be done , Belgium government waste people time , plans , money for lawyer and if they have the chance they would put you away .

Ali

5/3/2016 05:47:52 pm

Hi lawani,
It's sad to hear that and I'm in pretty much in same kind of situation and have appealed through an immigration attorney and this march will be one year to my appeal and I still haven't heard anything from the ministry, secondly I have seen people in Brussels getting their five year card like nothing..... You wanna know how they are paying people in the commune... They have been charged upto 20 thousand euros but they did receive their cards in 6 months and in some cases before that. Since I work in Brussels these people have approached me as well to get me the card faster and easier way. I have declined the option and seriously considering to report them to the authorities. I have notified my attorney as well and going to take his legal advise on it as well. Now I would suggest you to fle your case again instead of the appeal coz it won't work.... It's an honest advise if I would have known that appealing takes that much time I would have done it and applied the case all over again.

and your right about Belgium, They just waste your precious time, effort, energy and money as well. I will never suggest anyone to move to Belgium. Move out to Uk, Sweden or some other European country. NO FREAKIN BeLGIUM

Benjamin De Ridder

14/3/2016 12:27:02 pm

My Italian wife just received the message she was denied residency and must leave the country. I am Belgian citizen, we have two children and have been married for over seven years. We have been living abroad in Madagascat, South Africa and recently in Ghana for three years. I now work as consultant abroad, and we decided to have my wife and children spend a year in belgium for exposure to flemish school. What can we do? I thought Europe was one, but they would expell Italian citizen?

Ali

15/3/2016 08:57:00 am

If your kids were born in belgium than she just needs to go to the gementee and apply for the resident card if she is the biological mother of your kids. Otherwise you have to work in belgium to get her the resident card or she can do it on her own by start working in belgium since she is a European citizen. Attach a work contract with her application and her card will automatically changes.

Jason

9/4/2016 12:02:33 pm

Hi There,

Does anyone have an idea that a gap filled by an orange card (attest van immatriculatie) is ok to fulfill a 5 year requirement for citizenship? I have 4.5 years on my own but was told that an orange card will be needed to fill the remaining 6 months gap.

Secondly does it matter for cohabitation card (f-card) if a job contract with a limited duration (not interim) is accepted or they only accept an open ended (contract without end date) job contract?

Jason

Kenny Kenny

12/4/2016 09:08:09 pm

Hello I need your advise am 50yrs my woman is 70 I live with her for 2years she is pensioen her in come is 1100 becos I live with her government remove 300 from her money but she have his own house we dont rent I have prove from the commun that I have been register my name my woman she is handicap I need your advise if iT Will good for me we are ready to go and present my document for cohabitation lagaly soon

13/4/2016 08:45:18 pm

Hello

My partner have a 15K€ salary in month, i think 180K€ in a year, he is a EU citizen, he work in EU commision and we know each other from octomber 2014, i have a long term visa in another EU country cause im not an EU citizen, i had visited one time in Brussels for 3 months and he had visited me in another EU country several times, we have only an email from octomber 2014 and several chat discussions in facebook and some photos, nothing else i think, you think is that enough?

We are planing to declare cohabitation(civil partnership) in the comune in the summer, what to you think i need to do?

Please in steps...

Thanks a lot in advance, sorry for my poor english

Lyuba

13/4/2016 10:52:46 pm

Al,

You have to know each other for at least 2 years to have the right to apply for a long term visa based on official cohabitation. In your case you have less than that. Maybe better wait until October 2016 to have a real chance to get the cohabitation.

it is also good to have some letters of proof (e.g. from his parents, relatives, friends) that you have a genuin relationship

Good luck!

Steffi

19/4/2016 07:55:09 pm

Hello! I (American) filed an application for a permanent card here in Belgium with my boyfriend (belgian) through legal cohabitation. Unfortunately, our application was refused. We contacted a lawyer to appeal the decision and right now my status is Annex 35. Does anyone know if it's still possible for me to apply for a job through that status? There is a company who might possibly want to hire me and I don't exactly know what to tell them because they're asking for a working permit and a visa. All I could do was explain my situation. So my question is: Can I still work with Annex 35 status? Any suggestions would greatly help!!

Thanks!

Ali

19/4/2016 11:00:04 pm

Hi American,
I'm exactly in the same position as you are in now. The good news is you can work on Annex 35 since your boyfriend is a Belgian citizen and the bad news is it will take at least more than a year before your court date comes up in the immigration court.

I also have annex 35 for last one year and still waiting on my appeal. The attorney advised us that we should appeal and he can get us my resident card in 3 months with the appeal. The other option was to re apply the case. I should have reapplied the case instead of this appeal because there is always a chance of getting rejected. And God forbids if it does get denied than all this time you have invested will be considered as ZERO.

I'm in Belgium for exactly two years. I'm married to a Belgian citizen and our marriage is legally recognized here but i still haven't received my resident card. I'm even working full time for last 1 year. Our case was denied because my wife wasn't making enough money while she was a full time student.

My advice will be to re apply the case instead of this bullcrap appeal because it doesn't guarantee you the resident card. Whatever the objection they have raised try to fulfill it and reapply. Attorney's are only there to make money for themselves and by appealing they make more money instead of advising the client to reapply.

If you are going to stick with the appeal than my advise to you will be recite the word PATIENCE thousand times a day because Belgian immigration system is the worst in Europe and they do not give a FUCK about our cases. Excuse my french

I hope this will help.

Jason

20/4/2016 11:19:31 pm

I agree with Ali totally,

An appeal is useless since if the immigration system refused your residency based on legal rules then by no means they will re-consider the decision unless of course they rejected you for something you (and your lawyer) know for sure is wrong. See if you can withdraw the appeal.

So the best thing is to reapply and hope they look at your case faster than 6 months. Goes without saying that you should reapply only when your situation for the reason for rejection has changed.

Anyway if your potential firm is willing to file a work permit B then that might solve your temporary problem to cover your residency gap.

To answer your question yes you can work on Annex 35 till the answer comes. If yes you get your PR card if not then you stop working immediately and leave the country or file for a status change to say work permit B, i.e. if an employer is willing to file one almost right away.

Steffi

21/4/2016 01:33:51 pm

Hello Ali and Jason!

Thank you for the replies! Actually we were planning on appealing to have a status of annex 35 just because I'm looking for a job. But in two months (long story short, our paperwork for the permanent card through cohabitation was declined because we couldn't prove we were together for 2 years) we will reapply again. I understand it's costly and I could wait for the two months in an "illegal" status (because I wouldn't have appealed the decision) but I'm in need to find a job, so this was the only route I could think of taking.

Gracilla

24/4/2016 02:55:01 pm

Hi Ana,
My question is that I have the orange card for two months now and just last week i got approval (positive) for living with my boyfriend. I what to find out what next and how long will it take for my orange card to be changed to the plastic card?
Thank you.

Ana Elisa Miranda

29/4/2016 11:51:48 am

When I got the positive reply I immediately received my permanent ID, but that was after six months with the orange card, so it was expired. I don't know what they do if your orange card still have months to go. Congratulations on such a fast response and good luck in Belgium!

Denise Dunnahoo

29/4/2016 10:55:41 pm

I just received approval for my F-card this week. :) The city hall the plastic card should arrive within 2-3 weeks.

Ana Elisa Miranda

30/4/2016 06:38:07 pm

Congratulations and good luck in your new life in Belgium :)

Mirwais

24/4/2016 10:31:18 pm

Hi
Iam a British national. My wife is afghan national and she had Italian schengen visa issued for free under eu free movement law.

My question is if she come with me to Belgium I have a job contract and a place to live in Belgium will she be able to apply F card Belgium residence permit under article 10 of eu free movement directive 2004 for family member of eu national. even though her schengen visa is expired now?

She hasn't spend 90 days after visa expiation.

Thanks.

Jason

1/5/2016 10:43:33 am

Hi Mirwais,

You're city hall should tell you this. Anyway as far as I know visa is just an entry document and yes as long as you have a job contract(not interim for less than a year) a place to stay and health insurance for your wife then yes she is eligible to apply for F-card right away. It will take 6 months for approval however.

Pegah

4/5/2016 03:20:59 pm

Hi,

Thanks Ana for sharing your experience. I have a (silly) question just to make sure everything is alright for me:
I am Iranian and my husband is Dutch. Last week, I received my Belgian F card for 5 years. Can I use this card along with my Iranian passport to travel to Spain?? (It's a work trip and my husband won't be with me)
Wondering if this F card gives me the right to travel in Schengen countries...??

Thanks in advance for your help :)

Ana Elisa Miranda

4/5/2016 05:08:12 pm

Yes, you can travel in the Schengen area using your Belgian Id card. I've never had any problems, but I always carry my passport with me just in case, especially when flying.

MissSJ

8/5/2016 01:50:34 pm

Hi Ana,
I read from your comment above that you did not need to produce proof of medical certificate at the time of applying your cohabitation visa. May I know why is this so because I thought medical certification is part of the submission process? Thank you!

Ana Elisa Miranda

8/5/2016 04:11:40 pm

I don't know why. I have heard from other people I know and they were asked different kinds of documents.

MissSJ

8/5/2016 04:29:00 pm

I guess whether to submit or not is very subjective from one city to another and also from officer to officer. In the website, the medical certificate is part of the requirement.I went to ask the Municipal Office in Belgium while on holiday and ask about the documents to submit. They didn't say that I have to submit the certificate. They request for marriage certificate proving that I am not married and health insurance.

The tricky part came if later, I were asked to submit the Medical Certificate to them. I think to play safe is to get all the documents ready in case they ask for it... For sharing purpose...Cheers

Lyuba

8/5/2016 05:28:57 pm

Hello

In my opinion it depends if you apply for cohabitation visa from abroad or in Belgium. I applied in Belgium and was not asked for a medical certificate. My cousin applied for a marriage visa from abroad and was asked to submit.

Jack

8/5/2016 11:40:00 pm

Hi, thanks for writing this useful blog. They rejected my application last week, I wonder can I appeal and reapply at the same time? If I reapply, I give them missing documents or everything again?
And how long did it take you to get approve last time ? Another six month? Or will be faster the second time.

Thanks.

Ana Elisa Miranda

9/5/2016 02:48:47 pm

Hi Jack, sorry to hear that.
In my case, we appealed and reapplied at the same time, providing all the documents again and waited for another six months.
In my experience - and from some of the comments above and on the Facebook group - appealing didn't really help, so if you can reapply at the city hall, go for it.

Jack

9/5/2016 04:58:08 pm

I went to city hall, the lady said I only need to submit income proof and relationship proof this time. Anyway I will just resubmit everything.

Jack

10/5/2016 08:08:43 pm

One more question, some people said you can not work with the orange card, but the staff from my city hall said I can. I wonder if I apply a job with that orange card, do I still need work visa? Did you work while having the orange card?

Ana Elisa Miranda

11/5/2016 08:41:23 pm

I can't tell you from experience, because I didn't work during that period, but my boyfriend did find a law saying you are allowed to work with the orange card. I don't think you need a work visa, since you already have a request pending.

ali

11/5/2016 09:49:50 pm

You can work on the orange card...As long as your spouse is a belgian or european citizen...you can work without any limits....And do not appeal coz its a waste of time and money. Just reapply it will easier and faster telling you from personal; experience

Chuxx

17/5/2016 03:33:38 pm

Hi Ana, and everyone else here.
Love this blog with plenty of experiences shared.
I applied for cohabitation with my gf whom is a Belgian citizen. We've known each other for more than 2yrs. Long story short, I got my orange card and after six months I got a negative decision. Reason being my gf changed jobs. Almost a month she worked with the interims while waiting for the next job. My question is, is it advisable to get a lawyer to appeal or reapply, and can I continue my work with the annex 35 if I do appeal?

Ali

17/5/2016 05:28:05 pm

My personal advise would be DO NOT appeal and ask your GF to find a job. Just reapply the case coz it will be a lot faster and if you provide them all the documents you will get your card in 6 months time. With the appeal there is always 50/50 chance. The appeal will atleast take 1 year and there is a possibility that they wont give you the card. As dar Annex 35 is concerned you can work. I have annex 35 for last 1 year and 3 months and still there is no decision on my appeal.I hope this helps and you will make a right decision

Chuxx

18/5/2016 08:10:38 am

Thanks Ali for your reply.
My gf already got a new job since March. And I just got the decision this week. To reapply means I have to relegalize the documents and translate. Do you think I can do that within 30 days, which is how long I have to leave the country.

Jason

22/5/2016 09:07:49 pm

Hello Chuxx,

I know a friend who is exactly in the same case as yours and the dependent got rejected because the Belgian wife was on an interim basis and they have now reapplied since she now has a Full time job which she got in the 6 month of the dependency application so they are hoping it will get approved this time.

Lynn

6/6/2016 01:17:48 pm

"Knowing each other for two years" means knowing each other for two years from the internet or in real life?
And about the messages you have to keep, do you know if the government wants to see all of them, because of course there are a lot with personal content we would not like to share?
(I did not want to be rude to the readers here so wrote it in English. :))

Denise Dunnahoo

8/6/2016 04:25:28 pm

I would say from the point of first contact with one another for 2 years. I printed off some of our fb conversations, but focused on providing some from the beginning, and then a bit throughout the fb history to show the contact was constant.

Ana Elisa

8/6/2016 05:09:43 pm

You must have seen each other in three different occasions for a total of 45 days.

Hennis link

5/7/2016 10:25:09 pm

Hi Ana,thanks again for ur wonderful advice!

I am flying over to my GF of 2.5 years at the end of August on a two month visa tourist which I wanted to ask if u agree that it will be enough time to get all the registration for wettiglike samewoning sorted?

In my countries told me I need to register here and cannot do it in Belgium so that put me off track.

I also wanted to ask if you know if it's possible to get all the medicals done in belgium and not in my home country as the website I came across, states that the embassy will need to stamp my medical certificate and might find it strange coz I'm applying for a tourist visa.

How long will I then have extra on top of the two months of tourist visa to get everything sorted and in order eg: documents etc.

All the lists of the documents required differ tremendously and I was wondering if the document stating that I'm not married, police clearance certificate and medical certificate is necessary or can I obtain them later in Belgium?

Thank u for the advice in advance

Nana

26/7/2016 01:55:06 pm

Hi, I did the wettiglike samewoning with my girlfriend from Holland who is is now living in Belgium together because she is a EU Member. I just received a letter from the Commun that they have accepted our
wettiglike samewoning but when we went to the Commun they gave me a white paper that was bijlage 19 and i paid €20. That states aanvraag voor een verblijfskaart van een familielid van een burger van de europese unie ,that will expire in 3 months if we don't provide proof of knowing each other for 2 years and staying together for a year. So I want to know if I can work with this paper since is not a yellow paper. Also What happens if provide proof with photos ,birthday cards we gave to each other, letters we received from friends And letters written by friends and families knowing about our relationship with their ID copies for the past 2 years.Hoping to get response.
Thanks

peter

1/8/2016 11:00:47 am

Hello everyone i really need help urgently. my situation is: I came to Belgium as a student from Ghana after one year i meet a Belgium lady and i have lived with her for two years. During my study period i got a Lyme disease and couldn't finish my studies. Towards the end of the academic year we went to Ghana and got married before coming back to Belgium. At this moment the commune refused to register our marriage that it was fake and arranged. I have annex 35 and would like to continue my studies while we go on higher appeal. Can anyone help me on how to get back my student status back to finish my studies while i go on higher appeal any link or any lawyer who can help me appeal for this?. Do you know any lawyer that can help? Please it is a bit urgent. Thank you as i expect your response

sdtmrc

2/8/2016 01:04:51 pm

https://www.facebook.com/groups/213504602333116/ There's a facebook page about cohabitation in Belgium, that people oftenly write and give advices to each other, can be helpful maybe! Good luck, hope things go well!

Iryna

21/9/2016 09:48:10 pm

Hello! I was aupair in Belgium and I met my bf there. Now I'm the current aupair in Holland and we are thinking about the cohabitation marriage. But the problem is that I don't know him 2 years. I lived with him in Belgium during the year but he rented an apartment by himself. Or we have to prove it with the documents? Thank you

Ana Elisa Miranda

28/9/2016 06:24:57 pm

Hello Iryna,

The requirement about knowing each other for two years is taken seriously. My first request was denied because of that.

Tony

28/9/2016 10:24:21 pm

My orange card going to expired next month, is it possible to check what is the status of my application?

I found a website called "What is happening to my VISA"
But I don't know what is my visa number.

https://dofi.ibz.be/sites/dvzoe/EN/Application-guides/Pages/What_is_happening_to_my_visa_application.aspx

Ani

5/10/2016 07:10:38 pm

Hi Ana, I just got my F card last week, I wsa reading your blogs throught my application procedure, it was really helpfull. My procedure went smoothly as we provided attest for one year living together and some photos and documents with same adress. Now my question is can I apply for citizenship with F card or do I need to wait for 3 or 4 years. My most in laws live in UK, so we need to travel alot to UK but every time I need visa normally.
Thanks

Tony

17/10/2016 03:14:16 pm

Hi, I finished the inburgering course, so after the F card (five years), you can apply F+ card (citizenship).

May I ask how many months of income you send to them? I'm still waiting for approve and worry about the income part.
Thanks

Ani

25/10/2016 05:25:21 pm

We submitted last 5 months latest salary slips of my partner

Grace

12/2/2017 12:49:16 pm

Hi,
My question is did you apply for family unification or the same living together again? Cos my lawyer said we have to apply for family reunion since we have lived together for one year after we got negative.

How long does it take for the processing? and if you apply for living together again do you have to legalise your document all over again?

Ana Elisa Miranda

14/2/2017 05:58:19 pm

Hi,
I think family reunion and "living together" (cohabitation) are the same.
I applied again at the same time as we appealed the negative decision. We waited another six months for the answer.
You should ask the town hall for the document details. Good luck!

Jan link

25/10/2016 01:22:37 am

Hi guyz
I just applied for family cohabitation in belguim and we legalized our mirage contract and we gave them before 5 days my police came and proved my adress. Today i get mail post from city hall ( gemente) and they said bring 4 photos, passports and again mirage contract! Is that mean they will give me a orange card ?
Me and my wife were married almost 4 years and we have a beautiful boy and she is now pregnant with another boy :).

MissSJ

26/10/2016 02:52:32 pm

Hi Jan... Congratulations on your second boy. Yes, they are going to give you an Orange Card because they asked me for the same thing when they gave me an Orange Card.

Jan

20/11/2016 02:21:49 am

Thank you dear. Yeah true also i got orange card befor 3 weeks and now i am looking for a job and also I registered my name in inburgering school and nederlands taal school.now i am looking for job bit it's hard when you can't speak Dutch fluently :(

MissSJ

20/11/2016 04:47:25 pm

Hi Jan, you are not alone. All foreigners go through the same problem if one cannot speak Dutch. Perhaps you should find jobs targeting at using your own language. I got a contract short term job immediately when I received the Orange Card. In the meanwhile, just use the free time to learn the language as much as possible.

Sussie

18/11/2016 01:26:16 am

Hi people !
Please give me the inform about a good lawyer in Antwerpen area...that can help us to do the second aply . A contact nummer or the email addres would be ok . I need this as soon as possible .Thankyou in advance.

Keziah

11/2/2017 11:23:00 am

Hey ana, I'm from Kenya, I got my family re union visa from Belgian embassy in Kenya and they gave me for one year, I have a daughter who has a Belgian passport( I'm married to a Belgian) I have applied for the orange card, question is , is it a must I do the Intergration classes?its really had to find a kindergarten on time and nannies are so expensive?

Ana Elisa Miranda

14/2/2017 06:01:27 pm

Hi Keziah,
You should contact the Inburgering office in your city. It is mandatory for some immigrants and especially if you want to apply for citizenship in the future. I'm not sure how you go about finding day care but I think you can ask Kind en Gezien. Good luck!

Winnie

1/6/2017 10:30:37 am

Habari ....i think we are in the same situation ....ugandan here. We could chat, send me an email if you can. wiynnann@gmail.com.

Koen

28/8/2017 09:30:37 pm

Hi Keziah,

Could you reach out to me? I worked as an expat in Nairobi from 2009 until 2017. We are now trying to get my fiancee to Belgium but the first application was declined. We have now filed a new application.

Yasemin

16/2/2017 11:23:10 am

Hello everyone,
I'm from Turkey and I'm now in Belgium with a valid tourist visa given by Italy. Based on the answers of DOFI and City Hall Leuven, we thought that we can start our Cohabitation just now with my visa but when we went to the City Hall, they said we have to wait Brussels' decision whether we can start the process or not.
Did anyone have this experience waiting of just another month, to see if their case is applicable or not? Or is it just something new?
Thanks a lot!

Keziah

25/2/2017 01:24:48 pm

Thanks Ana for your reply, I went to their office in deurne today as I had an appointment , they told me I don't need an orange card but they will give me an F card in 3 weeks time , Ii must be lucky not to wait for long, your blog is so encouraging! Thanks again

Laura

26/2/2017 06:26:49 pm

Hello Ana

Thanks for your blog it helps a lot of people

I have a question,

In the belgiumcohabitationvisa site says that you need to:
Proof that partners have lived together for at least 1 year *

How is someone suppous to live together with a partner for a year if the other person cannot stay longer than 3 months in belgium lol.

Is that really required?

Ana Elisa

17/4/2017 01:05:36 pm

No, you must have known each other for at least two years OR have lived together for one year.

Jan link

25/3/2017 06:02:54 pm

Hi guyz
My Orange card after 18 days will be expired and I didn't receive any letters from anywhere yet.! Is that okay! I am married more than 5 years and having two kids, we did our family reunification in September I received orange card in October. Are anyone faces the same condition before! Is it good or bad?

Thank you for your answer.

Adrian

16/4/2017 03:55:23 am

Hi there Ana.

Im Adrian from Indonesia.

I have plans to getting married with my partner in Belgium, Ive visited him three times now, he also visited me once it was last year we've getting to know each other almost one and half years.

my partner live in BEVEREN WAAS, first time Ive visited him it was on July 2016, with tourist visa so I stay there for 30 days then I back to my country.

he decide to marry me in Belgium, so we go to the cityhall together and we asked what kind of documents I must have from my country.

anyway I go back to my country on August and Ive got all of the documents that cityhall wanted.

I apply new visa again, and I got multiple visa for 90 days, and expired for one year.
I fly back to Belgium and then give this prove to the cityhall, everything was okay they said. and we have decide the date to getting married on May 27.

this second time I stay in Beveren 90 days after that I go back to my country again.

after I leave Belgium for 2 weeks, my partner have an interview from the police in Sint Gills, to make sure that this not fake married the police lady said to my partner.
the interview was going well he said to me, even he asked to the lady, is it possible if my partner can have an interview also?
the lady say to my partner I dont think so it because your date married its close on May 27. the police lady will send all of the documents married to the parquet in Gent.

so I fly back again to Belgium on March 13. I dont have problems at the Imigration in Brussels Airport when they check my pasport. they leave me go.

I always go to the cityhall with my partner when I arrived. normally Ive the papers from the cityhall that I can stay here in Beveren, but the before they give me a paper they check again my passport and they said my visa was expired because last time I stay there for 90 days, stupid me as I dont know my visa was expired I was thinking Ive got visa for one year and will be expired on October this year. I tell them I really dont know this, even I was lucky the Imigration Aiport leave me go inside Belgium.

cityhall say to us wait until they send this problems to Brussels. after I stay 3 weeks we got the answer that I must leave Belgium and Apply for new visa. as I dont want to be ilegal in Belgium

my partner was so angry with this situation especially to the cityhall also the mayer, why they cant help me to stay bit longer until we've the result from the parquet for our wedding.

I tell to my partner please I dont want to have a problems here, I have to leave Belgium and apply for married visa in my country. right now Im busy for apply visa.

yesterday my partner had phone call from the mayer and the mayer said the parquet rejected or refused our married plans. because I dont have interview.

my partner was explain everything to the mayer, and the mayer said will help with this.

I was bit confused why the police didnt contact me to take an interview together with my partner when i was stay there for three months? they come to my ask my partner to take an interview after I leave Belgium for three weeks.?

what I want to ask is do you think I can have married visa from Belgium embassy here in my country? Im little bit afraid they will refuse my visa. as I think they will connect each other between Belgium embassy in my country and Belgium embassy in Brussels.

my partner say to me dont worry as the mayer will help for this. and waiting till the mayer contact him again.

me and my partner will not give up for this, as we follow the rules.

I just hope I can get my visa and fly to Belgium again, also wish we both can get married soon.

Im sorry Ana to much text on your blog, I just want to share this to all of friends here.

sorry also if my english not very good.

wishing you a nice day

kind regards.

Ana Elisa

17/4/2017 01:03:13 pm

Hi Adrian, thanks for sharing.
The best I can tell you is to contact the Belgian Embassy and ask them what you can do. http://indonesia.diplomatie.belgium.be/en
Feel free to join our Facebook group and ask questions there too. https://www.facebook.com/groups/213504602333116/
Good luck!

Adrian

17/4/2017 02:16:55 pm

Hi Ana, many thanks for replying.

yes I have tell this to Belgium Embassy in my country as I am now still working to apply visa.

they say it will take max 6 months, I will see what happens then.

best regards

henry

5/5/2017 02:58:50 pm

hello Ana
im a ghanaian livin in belgium since 2010
I met my woman in 2012 and shes from holland
after one year we had a child and was in holland
the same year she moved to belgium
i applied for family reunion and was rejected due to insuffient income
since 2013 we have been livin together and i have been applyin for family reunion for more than 5 times the end result negative
my orange card died this year on 28th april and they couldnt renew it so together wit my partner we went to commune to apply for a lettelijk samen wonen and a least of requirements have been asked...i have also an appointment next week for a family reunion to have my orange card...my partner is currently workin and its full time with one year contract....i have all the requirements they need i want to kno if chances are or is there anything they can use to reject me again ...i speak dutch been to school back and forth and worked for a full year but on a day contract but apparantly im not workin but my partner is......

Linc

8/6/2017 11:48:51 pm

Hi henry,

Am new in belgium am from kenya and my girl is dutch i have come to begin the process i dont know much but may be we can share thoughts. you can write me lincowama007 at g m a i l .com

igor

21/6/2017 07:05:16 pm

Hello there, I am brazilian and I am planning to move to Belgium and live with my girlfriend. We have pretty much all the requirements, but recently she has been to the commune and she got informed that she has not enough income since she got a part time job right now.

i saw in the previous answers something about a guarantee letter that could be provided by a sponsor, in this case, we are going to live in her mother's house, and her mother could easily prove the rest of income necessary.

The question is, does guarantee letter works for a situation of cohabitation visa, since i haven't found any other official information about it but here

Sanley

18/7/2017 01:13:35 pm

Hello Ana, I am also a Brazilian. My wife is Belgian, we are married for 6 years. We were living in Brazil and other countries, but now we came to live in Belgium since March/2017. I am waiting for the results of the F card. The time for the government gives me answer regarding the F card is at the end of September 2017, but due the sickness of a familiar member, I need to go back to Brazil before end of September, it means, without the approval of the F card. But, I am already in Belgium now for 4 months, so I cannot leave Belgium for 10 days and come back, is that right? Does anyone knows how do I have to act? Thanks a lot.

Kwame Adom

27/7/2017 11:37:11 am

Hello Ana Elisa, how long does it takes to get decision from residence permit appeal in Belgium?.....thank you.

Nikki

7/8/2017 05:30:14 pm

Hi,

Thanks for keeping this blog. I find this really helpful.

My dillema is. I have a long time boyfriend we've been together for 7 years now. May of 2016 I migrated here in Belgium through family reunification because my mom is now a belgian citizen. I was given an F card that has a 5 yr. residency guarantee.

My boyfriend who's also from the Philippines proposed to me before I left. It has been a year and three months since.

He recently got his schengen visa via Netherlands embassy because we've heard that applying for a tourist embassy via the belgian embassy in the Philippines is quite tough. Netherlands embassy is less strict.
He was approved of a one month schengen visa.

We decided that within that one month period we will try TO GET MARRIED here in Belgium while he is on tourist visa. This is where I need everyone's help/advise.

*WILL IT BE POSSIBLE FOR A BELGIAN RESIDENT TO MARRY A TOURIST SCHENGEN VISA HOLDER?

*WILL HE BE ALSO GIVEN RESIDENCY AFTER THE MARRIAGE?

*IS IT BETTER TO APPLY FOR MARRIAGE OR APPLY FOR LEGAL COHABITATION GIVEN THIS SCENARIO

thank you so much!

Linc

7/8/2017 06:58:39 pm

Hi Nikki,

First of all congratulations for your boyfriend for getting the Visa. My wife is Dutch ad we live in Belgium. we moved because it suits our situation. Am still in the process for getting the residency i already have my orange card. Last year i got a tourist visa for Holland and it was for 90 days. I proposed and during that period we went to a small commune because most of them don't have along waiting list and we got a date for our marriage. We were able to marry and after my visa expired i went back home to organize my self before moving here and 4 months later i got another 90 day visa for Holland and we moved to Belgium. So as far as the tourist visa is concerned and marriage its possible. thats my experience Good luck

Kwame Nkrumah

17/8/2017 05:53:52 pm

Hello Ana Elisa, After appealing the residence permit refusal how will you get the annex 35?.....I mean will the commune automatically give it to you or you have to go to the commune yourself and ask for it, because my lawyer has appealed for the refusal. It is almost one month and two weeks now and i have no heard anything concerning the annex 35 from my lawyer or the commune(town hall)....Any Advice, thanks.

Trevor

20/8/2017 10:10:01 pm

Hello,

Rather simple but having trouble finding a definitive answer. My girlfriend and I are Canadian and have been living together for over two years. I will be starting a job in Belgium next month and I don't foresee any issues with our application.

What I am wondering is her eligibility to work if we pursue a cohabitation visa? I have read that we can apply with me as an EU resident, and am waiting to hear back from the embassy to confirm this. From this thread I have gathered that she can only work with the orange card if I am a Belgian citizen? Is this true? Meaning she will need to obtain sponsorship from an employee on her own to be able to work?

Thank you for your help!!

Duncan Le Cornu

26/4/2018 12:35:08 pm

Hi Trevor,
I am in this same position and have had similar trouble finding an answer. Have you been able to resolve this (ie. found an answer?)
Thanks
Duncan

Kwame Nkrumah

15/9/2017 08:35:56 am

Hello Kwame Adom,After the appeal of my residence permit refusal i received my Annex 35 within 3months n 7days from my commune. Am just praying to hear a positive outcome from the immigration authorities.

Elvis Belgium link

8/10/2017 08:17:27 pm

Thanks for keeping this blog. I find this really helpful

Charles

20/10/2017 12:14:17 pm

How long does it take you to get the Orange Card. Normally after you apply for the legal cohabitation how long you take to get Orange Card

Ems link

20/6/2018 04:01:37 pm

For me it took about 3.5 months. You can read about my experience here - http://funwithems.com/family-reunification-belgium/

Hon

8/2/2018 11:06:55 pm

Hi to everyone!
To whom it my concern
I'm asylum seeker, in a Dublin procedure. I got a lady a Belgium citizen whom we love each other so much. we first met, after two months chatting and calling. we now living together effectively. we went to the cityhall, after the declaration and the police visit. two days later we received document contain the approver of address. since than we never heard from the cityhall for the passed 5 consecutive months. now the immigration office issued me documents to leave the territory in 10 days, 30 days to make an appeal.

I'm lost here, can someone please help me the way forward!

Inara link

27/2/2018 07:15:38 am

Hello Ana !

I am so happy to find your blog, because i started to think that we are in desprate situation. My boyfriend is Turkish citizen and im from Kazakhstan. He is going by working visa to Brussels and having working contract. I was planning to join him by tourist visa and after apply for cohabitation visa, but learnt that according new regulations foreigners should apply for all visas from their countries, is it true? Also, he will get residence permit after 5 months (because of the area we will live UCCLE) entering the country, will it be possible to start process of getting cohabitation visa without residence permit, becasue we dont want to wait 5 months.

Looking forward to your reply,
Thank you so much for this blog!

Angelica Ot

14/7/2018 01:00:28 am

Hello Everyone.

So glad I found this blog.

I have applied for an F+ card and the waiting time is 5months. Word of mouth says: if I dont recieve any letter by post from the ministry during this time, it is considered a positive answer.
Does anyone know about this or had a similar experience before?

Giel

17/9/2018 01:11:51 am

Dear,

My girlfriend and i are ready to apply. I only have two questions

1) can we apply here in belgium with a tourist visa?

2) can my father be a sponsor ? I do not have enough money to support my girlfriend

Regards,
Giel

Ana Miranda

17/9/2018 06:44:04 am

Hi,
Yes, you can apply here in Belgium while on a tourist visa.
I'm not sure about sponsoring, you should ask at the city hall.
Good luck.

10/10/2018 10:51:34 am

Hello
I wish to ask if i live in Belgium as a student with a student temporary long stay and I have been dating my boyfriend for two months can we apply for cohabitation without the proof of one year relationship since I already have my stay in Belgium for long and he is a Belgian

Jenny

17/5/2019 11:10:34 am

Hello good morning, please i just want yo find out something, i have been in Belgium for a year and four and five months now and I've been in a serious relationship with my Belgian boyfriend for a year and one month now, i started working after five months meaning I've worked for almost a year now, i moved in with my boyfriend last year September and police came and did their normal control for change of address, we visit my boyfriend parents every weekend, last month, we decided to do a legal cohabitation, hope it will work out.

Leira

9/10/2019 02:48:18 pm

Dear all,
I hope you all have had good luck and you guys are all with the people you love and want to be with.
Me and partner requested the right to do legal cohabitation and now we are waiting for the answer from the Commune.
We applied for his orange card and they replied to us that firs this has to be approved from the Civil Registry Office. Meanwhile his staying here is right to stay in Belgium is coming to an end cause he has only 3 months right.
Any suggestions?
I called today the commune and they told us that he can apply and he can ask for an extension of visa with a motivation letter.
but he needs to apply first and than they will say the documents needed.
Anyone has any info?
thanks guys.

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Cohabitation in Belgium

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