Extension

You have to submit the following documents (max size of 4 MB per document)

1. ​a completed, signed and dated information sheet for extension;  
2. proof of scholarship OR proof of solvency (blocked university account) OR a legalized proof of sponsorship (Annex 32).
3. a Standard form residence permit for the current academic year.  The Standard form residence permit (name in Dutch: Model van Standaardformulier) is the only study certificate that will be accepted by the immigration office. Download it from SisA (Documents > Standard form residence permit). ​The document is only available in Dutch.
   
4. proof of valid public or private health insurance for Belgium. A recent certificate of insurance (verklaring van lidmaatschap) in case of a Belgian health insurance provider.  
5. a colour copy of your passport  
6. a colour copy of your current residence card  
7. For Bachelor and Master students only: the transcript of records document (= official study results). You have to request the transcript of records at your faculty or departmental student administration.  Document has to be signed and stamped.  Observation:  In case you have missed exams (e.g. sickness, etc.) you have to add proof thereof (such as sickness note, etc.) and/or give a clear statement of the reasons why you missed them.

Scan each document (not each page) as a .pdf and give each document the correct name. If it is a scan of your passport, name it “passport”.  Do the same with the other items, such as study certificate, info sheet, etc.  For the proof of financial means, name the document: scholarship, annex 32, proof of solvency or proof of financial means, whichever is correct for the item that you upload.

​Applications for residence permit extension have to be submitted through Mobility Online. Enter your UAntwerp user name and password to login. After filling out the online information sheet you will receive an automatic email to complete your application in Mobility Online.

(Linguapolis and IOB students have to mail their application file to the Linguapolis or IOB office email address).

From that moment on, follow the different steps of the workflow in Mobility Online. Once you have finalized the process, the International Relations Office will review your application.  When your application is approved by the IRO you will receive a confirmation mail that your file has been forwarded to the Antwerp Immigration Office for further processing.

After approval an appointment date and time is set for you. You will receive an email with the appointment details. 

At the appointment you will present:

• your passport and Belgian residence card (A-card)
• one passport picture
• pay for your new residence card with bank card (no cash is accepted)

Timing

If you have second-session exams (resits) in August and September, you will have to wait until you have received the official exam results from your faculty administration.Do not send in your application both through the International Relations Office and through the Immigration Office in Deurne. That will only complicate matters.

Your right of residence as a non-EEA student is always limited to the duration of your studies. The Belgian immigration service has the authority to terminate your stay in case you excessively prolong your studies. If you wish to extend your residence permit, you will need to prove you have made sufficient progress in your studies.

The amount of credits you need to obtain depends on your programme:

Bachelor programme:

• At least 45 credits after 2 enrolments in the programme.
• At least 90 credits after 3 enrolments in the programme.
• At least 135 credits after 4 enrolments in the programme.
• After 5 enrolments in your 180-credit bachelor programme you must have obtained the degree.
• After 6 enrolments in your 240-credit bachelor programme you must have obtained the degree.

Master programme:

• At least 60 credits after 2 enrolments in the programme (whether or not combined with a bridging or preparatory programme).
• At least 120 credits after 3 enrolments in the programme (whether or not combined with a bridging or preparatory programme).
• After 2 enrolments in your 60-credit master programme you must have obtained your degree.
• After 3 enrolments in your 120-credit master programme you must have obtained your degree.
• After 4 enrolments in your 180-credit master programme you must have obtained your degree.

(In case the master programme is combined with a bridging or preparatory programme of at least 30 credits, these terms can be extended with one year of study.)

This information can be found on the ‘Study certificate Foreign Student’s Office’, that you can download from SiSa (only available in Dutch).

If you change programmes and you receive exemptions for certain courses, only the credits of the exempted courses count towards the calculation of these provisions.

Note! These rules apply in addition to the existing study progress measures of the university. To be able to re-enrol, you must therefore comply with both the university’s study progress measures and the conditions set by the Belgian immigration service. However, the Belgian immigration service will take account of any study progress monitoring measures that have been imposed if a student or the educational institution provides valid proof.

Any unauthorized absence for an exam will be officially noted on your study certificate ‘Foreign Students’ Office’ and may jeopardize your residence permit extension. Your application file will automatically be forwarded to the head office of immigration in Brussels for thorough review and decision. Poor exam results will understandably put extra burden on your request for extension. Always include a detailed explanation and motivation letter to your application file.

If you have moved to a different address since your last residence permit application, you need to report your move to the city of Antwerp.

Reporting a change of address has to be done electronically.

Step 1: Report your address via the e-desk.

Go to Welkom | Antwerpen.be (Dutch website) and select ‘Melden nieuw adres’ (report change of address).  Scroll down the page until you see 'Meld je nieuw adres' (a blue button) and click the button. There are several options to log in - itsme, eID and card reader, a security code through mobile app, or a federal token.  If you choose one of these options, you will need to download the eID software or the itsme app for this to work. All your data will then be picked from the National Register and filled out automatically. You can also choose to fill in your data yourself without using the above options. Click on the button ‘verdergaan zonder aanmelden’ (continue without login) to do so. Complete the electronic form and submit it. Your application will be processed within 7 working days.

Step 2: Residence check by the police

There will be a new residence check by the police. The police has 6 weeks to complete this check.

Step 3: Update the chip on your residence permit card

After the residence check, you have to book an appointment at a district house to change the address on the chip of your residence card. You can only book this appointment at the earliest 5 days after the residence check by the police, or once you receive an email or letter from the city of Antwerp that your new address is registered.

Go once again to Welkom | Antwerpen.be and select 'Adres wijzigen op je identiteitsdocument' (change adress on residence card). Click on the blue button that says 'Maak een afspraak' (book an appointment). 

You will have to go through the steps, enter the district house of your choice and choose a date and time for an appointment in that district house. Fill out the required personal data and finalize the process. Make sure to take your residence card and PIN & PUK codes with you to the appointment.

Important: 

Make sure to update your address in SISA with your login and password.

If you are a PhD student, notify the International Staff Office int.staff@uantwerpen.be.