Please note that the average duration for obtaining your residence card is approximately two months.
As of 3 January 2019, the residence permit issued to non-EEA students is a combined permit which also mentions the right to work and the applicable conditions.
Important
Do not send in your application both through the International Relations Office and through the immigration office in Deurne. That will only complicate matters.
Non-EEA nationals have to extend their residence permits every academic year.
Procedure for first time registration:
Residence Permit
Nationals from France, Germany, the Netherlands and Luxembourg
These students can apply for a registration document called Bijlage 33 (annex 33), which is a limited registration. You must be officially registered as a resident in either France, Germany, the Netherlands, Luxembourg or the United Kingdom, and will be staying on a temporary basis in Antwerp. Note: you do not have to deregister at the end of your stay since your main address remains abroad.
If you are staying for only one semester, you don’t have to apply for the residence permit. There is an agreement with the immigration services of Antwerp that one semester exchange students do not have to apply for the residence permit. If you are staying longer than one semester, you will have to apply for a residence permit.
1. Application documents
The following documents are required for the application:
- a colour copy of your ID card or passport;
- 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) after you’ve enrolled at our university, paid the tuition fees and selected the courses of your programme. The document is only available in Dutch.
Exchange / VRS students: download the Standard form directly from Mobility Online in your application workflow (name in Dutch: Model van Standaardformulier). - a completed, signed and dated information sheet (.pdf). Please type in the required information. Note: When you submit your application through Mobility Online, the filled out information sheet will be automatically generated after completion of your data. Do not forget to sign the document. Note: There will be no residence check by the police if you apply for Annex 33. You may type 'Not Applicable' in the ‘info for the police’ block.
- a passport size picture with white background. This picture will be used for your official residence document for Belgium.
- Non-EEA nationals have to upload proof of financial means. That can be either a copy of the scholarship, a copy of the sponsorship commitment (legalized annex 32) or a proof of solvency (blocked university account)
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, passport picture, etc.
Residence permit applications have to be submitted through Mobility Online. (Except for Linguapolis and IOB students who have to mail their application file to the Linguapolis or IOB office email address).
Use this link to start up your application in 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.
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.
2. Electronic residence document ‘Bijlage 33’
Once your file has been processed at the immigration office of Antwerp, the International Relations Office will receive your residence document Bijlage 33 electronically. We will forward the document to your mail address. Print out the document and always carry it with you. The document is valid for one academic year only. The document is free of charge and can be extended on an annual basis.
Other EEA+ nationals (EU + Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Switzerland)
If you are an EEA+ student staying for only one semester, you don’t have to apply for the residence permit. There is an agreement with the immigration services of Antwerp that one semester exchange students with an EEA+ nationality do not have to apply for the residence permit. If you are staying longer than one semester, you will have to apply for a residence permit.
Note: Upon departure or a few days earlier you have to deregister.
1. Application documents
The following documents are required for residence permit applications:
- a colour copy of your ID card or passport
- 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) after you’ve enrolled at our university, paid the tuition fees and selected the courses of your programme. The document is only available in Dutch.
Exchange / VRS students: download the Standard form directly from Mobility Online in your application workflow (name in Dutch: Model van Standaardformulier). - a copy of the European Health Insurance Card (Example document)
- a copy of the rental agreement for your accommodation in Antwerp
- a declaration of sufficient financial means (PhD students have to submit a copy of their scholarship document)
- a completed, signed and dated information sheet (.pdf). Please type in the required information. With reference to your Belgian address, make sure to type in your apartment number: 001, 002, 003, … and location: on the left or right side of the building. Also note that there is a special block on the information sheet to provide useful information for the police officer (for details, see residence check). When you submit your application through Mobility Online, the filled out information sheet will be automatically generated after completion of your data. Do not forget to sign the document
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 visa, study certificate, info sheet, rental agreement or EHIC (European Health Insurance Card). 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.
Residence permit applications have to be submitted through Mobility Online. (Except for Linguapolis and IOB students who have to mail their application file to the Linguapolis or IOB office email address).
Use this link to start up your application in 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.
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.
Once your file has been processed, the International Relations Office will digitally receive your proof of residence permit application in process called ‘Bijlage 19’ from the Immigration Office. The IRO will mail the document to you.
At the same time the Immigration Office will send an electronic request to the police to carry out a residence check. This is standard procedure.
2. Residence check
The police officer has four weeks to complete the residence check. The officer will check if you actually live at the address you gave. It is important that you clearly mark your full name (first and family name) on both the doorbell and the mailbox. In most cases, the officer will want to talk to you in person. If you are not at home, they will come back at another time. They may leave a note in your mailbox to present yourself at the police station.
There is a special field on the information sheet to provide useful information for the police officer, such as your class hours/days, the times/days you are at home. You can also provide other specific details: e.g. that there is only one doorbell or mailbox for several residents, etc. The information you enter will simplify and therefore speed up the residence check procedure.
If you have not received a police visit within four to five weeks after application, please contact the International Relations office (residencepermit@uantwerpen.be) or the IOB student office.
Upon approval, the police officer will send an electronic confirmation report to the immigration office.
Please confirm in Mobility Online that the residence check is completed. The IRO office will then book an appointment for you at STAN. At the appointment you will order your electronic residence card. (For IOB students, contact the IOB student office when the residence check has been done)
3. Appointment for the official residence document and electronic residence card
The International Relations Office will make an appointment for you at STAN. You will be notified about your appointment by email.
At your appointment you have to present:
- your passport or ID card
- 1 passport photo (white background)
- your document Bijlage 19, proof of your residence permit application in process
- pay with bank card for your EU card (no cash is accepted).
You will receive a temporary residence document Bijlage 8 (annex 8), valid for 45 days.
All EEA+ nationals have to apply for the electronic residence card (EU-card). The card is valid for 5 years and required for opening a bank account and for getting health insurance in Belgium.
Approximately two weeks after your appointment, you will receive a letter with pin codes by regular mail. Now you can pick up your EU-card at STAN at the appointed date and time. Make sure to take your passport or ID card, your pin code letter and your temporary residence document ‘bijlage 8’ with you to the appointment.
Important: as a resident of the province of Antwerp you are subject to an annual provincial tax. You will receive the tax form by post at your Belgian residence around March-April of each calendar year. If you do not pay, you will be fined to pay more than the original amount. More info on the student portal.
Non-EEA nationals
1. Application documents
You can disregard the 8-day period notice stated on your visa. When you apply for the residence permit through our office, you'll have an extended timeframe. The key priority is ensuring you provide all the necessary documents for your application as mentioned below.
The following documents are required for residence permit applications:
- a colour copy of your visa with date of entry stamp
Important note: If you have the code B43 on your visa, you also have to submit a proof of valid public or private health insurance for Belgium. In case of a Belgian health insurance provider: a recent certificate of insurance (verklaring van lidmaatschap).
Important note especially for Exchange students: If you have the code B7 or B35 on your visa, you also have to submit a copy of your invitation letter.
- a colour copy of your passport
- 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) after you’ve enrolled at our university, paid the tuition fees and selected the courses of your programme. The document is only available in Dutch
Exchange / VRS students: download the Standard form directly from Mobility Online in your application workflow (name in Dutch: Model van Standaardformulier) - a copy of the rental agreement for your accommodation in Antwerp
- a copy of the scholarship/a copy of the sponsorship commitment (legalised annex 32)/proof of solvency (blocked university account)
- a completed, signed and dated information sheet (.pdf). Please type in the required information. With reference to your Belgian address, make sure to type in your apartment number: 001, 002, 003, … and location: on the left or right side of the building. Also note that there is a special block on the information sheet to provide useful information for the police officer (for details, see residence check).
Note: When you submit your application through Mobility Online, the filled out information sheet will be automatically generated after completion of your data. Do not forget to sign the document.
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 visa, study certificate, info sheet and rental agreement. 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.
Residence permit applications have to be submitted through Mobility Online. (Except for Linguapolis and IOB students who have to mail their application file to the Linguapolis or IOB office email address).
Use this link to start up your application in 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.
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.
Once your file has been processed, the International Relations Office will digitally receive your temporary residence document ‘Bijlage 15’ from the Immigration Office. The IRO will mail the document to you.
At the same time the Immigration Office will send an electronic request to the police to carry out a residence check. This is standard procedure.
2. Residence check
The police officer has four weeks to complete the residence check. The officer will check if you actually live at the address you gave. It is important that you clearly mark your full name (first and family name) on both the doorbell and the mailbox. In most cases, the officer will want to talk to you in person. If you are not at home, they will come back at another time. They may leave a note in your mailbox to present yourself at the police station.
There is a special block on the information sheet to provide useful information for the police officer, such as your class hours/days, the times/days you are at home. You can also provide other specific details: e.g. that there is only one doorbell or mailbox for several residents, etc. The information you enter will simplify and therefore speed up the residence check procedure.
If you have not received a police visit within four to five weeks after application, please contact the International Relations office (residencepermit@uantwerpen.be) or the IOB student office.
Upon approval, the police officer will send an electronic confirmation report to the immigration office.
Please confirm in Mobility Online that the residence check is completed. The IRO office will then book an appointment for you at STAN. At the appointment you will order your electronic residence card.(For IOB students, contact the IOB student office when the residence check has been done)
3. Appointment for the official residence document and electronic residence card
The International Relations Office will make an appointment for you at STAN. You will be notified about your appointment by email.
At your appointment you have to present
- your passport and visa
- 1 passport size picture (photo size 3.5 x 4.5 cm - white background)
- your temporary residence document Bijlage 15
- and pay with bank card for your A card (no cash is accepted)
The electronic residence card (A-card), which is a legal requirement for non-EU nationals, will be ordered.
4. Electronic residence card (A card)
Approximately two weeks after your appointment, you will receive a letter with a pin code by regular mail. Now you can pick up your electronic residence card at STAN at the appointed date and time.
Make sure to take your passport, the pin code letter and the Bijlage 15 (annex 15) document with you.
If you have not received your pin codes by the time of your appointment, send an email to residencepermit@uantwerpen.be and let us know. We will request new pin codes for you that this time will be sent to the International Students Desk at STAN. They will in turn contact you and arrange an appointment to pick up your A card. Again, make sure to take your passport, your pin code letter and your temporary residence document ‘bijlage 15’ with you to the appointment.
Important: as a resident of the province of Antwerp you are subject to an annual provincial tax. You will receive the tax form by post at your Belgian residence around March-April of each calendar year. If you do not pay, you will be fined to pay more than the original amount. More info on the student portal.
Note 1: Non-EEA nationals have to extend their A-card on an annual basis.
Note 2: Upon departure or a few days earlier you have to deregister.