Major Changes to Belgium’s Immigration Policy

Effective October 1, 2024, the Brussels Region will implement substantial changes to its immigration policy affecting foreign workers. These revisions aim to attract and retain highly skilled talent, streamline processes, and address labor shortages. Here’s an overview of the key changes and their implications:

Key Changes

Stricter Interpretation of Minimum Salary Level for Highly Skilled Roles: Employers must meet more stringent criteria to ensure the salary levels for highly skilled roles are in line with new standards.
Elimination of Annual Compliance Notification: Employers will no longer need to provide an annual compliance notification to authorities for work authorizations exceeding 12 months.
New Exemptions and Relaxations:
- Introduction of new work permit and labor market testing exemptions.
- Relaxed rules for changing employers, making it easier for foreign workers to switch jobs.
Simplified Application Process: A more straightforward process for obtaining collective work authorizations, reducing administrative burdens.
Work Authorization Exemptions for Researchers: Researchers will benefit from new work authorization exemptions, fostering innovation and research in the region.

Additional Changes:

Remote Work Authorization Requirements: Brussels Region employers must obtain a work authorization from Brussels authorities if an employee works remotely from abroad.
Explicit Grounds for Refusal: The grounds for refusal of work authorizations will be clearly defined, providing more transparency in the decision-making process.
Manage Population Growth: Address economic and infrastructural pressures by controlling the number of long-term visas.
Relaxed Requirements for EU Blue Card Holders:
- Shorter required contract durations for Blue Card holders.
- New professional experience eligibility pathways for IT applicants.
- Clearer criteria for applications and renewals of the professional card for self-employed workers.

Broader Implications:

Attracting and Retaining Talent: These changes are designed to attract highly skilled workers and retain them in the Brussels Region, addressing ongoing labor shortages in Belgium.
Walloon Region Alignment: The Walloon Region is also expected to implement the revised EU Blue Card Directive similarly, with legislation anticipated to be adopted and enter into force by the third quarter of 2024.
Focus on Skills Shortages: By reducing barriers to working in shortage occupation fields and relaxing change of employer rules, the Brussels Region aims to fill critical skills gaps in its labor market.

These updates reflect Belgium's broader strategy to balance attracting foreign talent in areas of shortage while managing immigration in other sectors.

Conclusion

The upcoming changes to the Belgium’s immigration policy signify a major shift aimed at enhancing the region's competitiveness in the global talent market. Employers and foreign workers alike should prepare for these new regulations to ensure compliance and take advantage of the opportunities they present. For more information and updates, stay connected with our blog.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

About Anywr

Anywr is a French international group specializing in the global talent mobility and international recruitment. The company supports businesses in the search and integration of international talent, offering a complete range of services from sourcing to settlement. Anywr has a network of over 300 consultants in 16 countries. A member of the FrenchTech 120, the group is now composed of nearly 900 employees worldwide, with 400 in France, serving the largest French and international groups. Anywr is an innovative and responsible company, committed to its communities, which puts its expertise and solutions at the service of social integration projects and diversity. ANYWR has adopted the status of a Mission-led Company (Loi Pacte) since June 2021.

Do you have a mobility project for your teams? Contact us!