■ Independent Professionals

APPLICATION FOR A PROFESSIONAL CARD AND A TEMPORARY RESIDENCY VISA:

DO YOU NEED TO APPLY FOR A TEMPORARY RESIDENCY VISA?

A citizen of Korea or of any country other than a Member State of the European Union who intends to reside in Belgium for a period longer than 90 days, or for a succession of periods totaling more than 90 days per 6 months, must first obtain a temporary residency visa.

When the applicant seeks to engage in a professional activity on an independent basis, the required residency visa can only be issued upon the presentation of a professional card and supporting documents.

The professional card is applied for through the Embassy and must be obtained before the person enters Belgium.

APPLICATION FOR THE PROFESSIONAL CARD:

If you wish to set up your own business in Belgium as an independent professional, you should apply for a professional card with the Belgian consular office in Seoul.

When applying for a professional card, please submit the following documents in person:

1. A valid national passport (validity 12 months).

2. 2 professional card application forms, duly completed, dated and signed.

3. 3 recent passport-size photographs.Include three sets of the following documents (one original and two copy) collated and stapled:

4. A certificate of good conduct

a) if the applicant applies in his/her country of origin : a certificate issued by the authorities of his/her country of origin maximum 6 months validity prior to the date of application and covering the previous year.

b) if the applicant is residing in a third country : two certificates should be issued :

- One in the country of origin

- One in the country of residence

Both certificates should not have a validity exceeding 6 months on the date of application and should cover the previous year of his/her stay in the country of residence.

5. The required supporting documents (one original; 2 copies) as requested in the professional card application form:

. your resume;

. certified copies of diplomas or degrees issued by your university;

. professional references;

. letters of recommendation.

6. A letter describing in detail the activity in which you intend to engage, and why.

Professional card application fee: 125 EUR(*) in KRW cash

Official documents issued abroad must be legalised or bear an apostille, depending on the country whence they originated. For Korean documents, please make contact with Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade www.0404.go.kr (02-2100-7500) to obtain Apostille.

The processing of the professional card by the Belgian Ministry of the Self-Employed in Brussels requires some time. Therefore, it is recommended to introduce your request several months before your intended departure date.

APPLICATION FOR THE TEMPORARY RESIDENCY VISA:

At the same time you should submit your application for the Temporary Residency Visa.

The following documents should be presented:

1. A valid national passport (validity 12 months on the date of application, but please note that when the professional card is approved and received by the Embassy your passport should still be valid for at least 12 months!);

2. Two visa application forms(←click!) duly completed, dated and signed.

3. Three recent passport-size pictures.Include three sets of the following documents (one original and two copy) collated and stapled:

4. An original criminal history record check (see above).

5. Birth cercificate

6. A medical certificate(←click!) according to the model enclosed,

on the doctor’s letterhead.

This certificate should get a Apostille by Ministry of Foreign Affairs

and Trade.(www.0404.go.kr)

The medical document should be less than 6 months

old from the date of your application.

Visa application fee: 180 EUR(*) in KRW cash

The approval of the Temporary Residence Visa depends on the approval of your professional card.

A personal appearance is requested.

For your dependents:

The Korean spouse and dependent children (under 18 years) of an Korean citizen who has obtained a professional card and a temporary residency visa, do not need a visa prior to entering Belgium.

The family members should have valid Korean passports and should submit the following upon their arrival in Belgium to the City Hall of their place of residence.

For your spouse : the birth certificate, the marriage certificate and the medical certificate

For the children : the birth certificates and the medical certificate

A criminal history record check for family members over 18.

UPON ARRIVAL IN BELGIUM:

It is important that you register yourself and your family with the City Hall of your place of residence in Belgium within 8 days of your arrival. Make sure that all passports are endorsed by the immigration authorities when first entering Belgium (at airport or other border post).

The local authorities will process your registration identity document that will allow you to enter and leave the country as a legal temporary resident of Belgium.

(*) : exchange rate of the consular tariff