Work permit: Belgium to move applications online from May 2026

Belgium is set to fully digitise its short-term work permit and commuter permit application process from May 1, 2026, in a major administrative overhaul aimed at modernising how foreign worker documentation is handled.

In a joint official communiqué released on April 17, 2026, on its website, by Belgium’s Federal Immigration Office and cited by PUNCH Online on Monday, under the new system, employers and authorised representatives will be required to submit all applications exclusively through the country’s official online portal, replacing the long-standing email-based submission process.

The change is expected to affect short-term work permits typically issued for non-EU professionals undertaking assignments such as technical support, business visits, training, or equipment installation, usually lasting up to 90 days.

Authorities say the shift is designed to improve efficiency, reduce administrative errors, and eliminate delays caused by incomplete or misplaced email submissions. By centralising applications on a digital platform, officials will be able to track submissions more accurately, verify documents faster, and streamline processing times. Punch