BELGIUM: Integration Law Takes Effect

February 10, 2017


From 26th January 2017, a new law requires certain residence permit applicants to submit a signed “newcomers statement” in support of their application and to provide evidence of their integration efforts in order to maintain or renew their residency status.

Who is Affected?

The new rules apply to third country (non-EU/EEA) foreign national workers, as well as their family members who apply for residence on the basis of family reunification.

Several categories of foreign national residence applicant are exempt, including:

  • Recognised refugees or beneficiaries of subsidiary protection and their family members
  • EU (European Union)/EEA (European Economic Area) citizens and their family members
  • Students
  • Victims of human trafficking
  • Long-term residents (Council Directive 2003/109/EC of 25th November 2003)
  • Minors
  • The seriously ill

The integration obligation affects residence applications pending as of 26th January 2017, and new applications from that date onwards.

Newcomers Statement

The “newcomers statement” has not yet taken effect; the Belgian federal authorities must first agree on the text of the statement with the French-speaking, Flemish and German-speaking communities (communities are regional authorities, competent for integration).

Integration Criteria

  • The authorities will assess integration efforts by taking into account the following criteria, listed in the new Act:
  • Attend an integration course, organised by the authority competent for the foreigner’s main residence
  • Work in Belgium as employee, civil servant, or self-employed
  • Degree, study certificate or evidence of enrolment in a recognised or subsidised educational establishment
  • Attend a vocational training, recognised by a competent authority
  • Knowledge of the official language of the place, where the foreigner is registered
  • No criminal record
  • Active participation in community life. This list does not seem to be limitative; the authorities have discretionary decision power. If the authorities consider a decision to terminate the right to reside, they must take into account:
  1. The nature and the strength of the family ties of the foreigner
  2. The duration of residence in Belgium
  3. The existence of family ties or cultural/social connections with the country of origin

Consequences of Non-Compliance

The obligations and its consequences in the event of non-compliance can be summarised as follows:

A refusal to sign the “newcomers statement” will result in an inadmissible residence application.

A foreigner who holds a residence permit for a limited term must prove his or her willingness to integrate. This proof must be submitted within the first limited residence term; failure could be a ground for refusal to renew the residence permit.

Furthermore, the Minister for Asylum and Migration, or the Foreigners’ Office (federal department in charge of immigration) can terminate the right to reside if the authorities find that the foreigner has not made a “reasonable effort” to integrate. The authorities can ask the foreigner to submit information/evidence. The right to reside can be terminated during the four years following the end of the first year after the issuance of the limited or unlimited authorisation to reside, or following the end of the first year after the authorisation to reside in Belgium.

Impact

Labour migrants will probably be able to prove their integration efforts because of their work in Belgium.

Things could be more complicated for their family members; however, a decision to terminate residence must take into account the nature and the strength of the family ties of the foreigner, the duration of residence in Belgium, and the existence of family ties or cultural/social connections with the country of origin.

Guidelines from the authorities will have to clarify how the new rules will be applied in practice.

Our advice

Foreign nationals resident in Belgium, or planning to apply for residency, should maintain evidence of their integration efforts as required by the new law.

For further advice and information on Belgian immigration, please email us at [email protected].