Notice on WORKING HOLIDAY VISAS for BELGIUM
for young AUSTRALIANS
Belgium and Australia signed an Agreement on a Working Holiday Scheme on 20 November 2002 in Canberra. This Agreement came into force on 1 November 2004. It aims at allowing young Belgians to go to Australia and young Australians to come to Belgium, for a maximum period of one year. The main purpose of their journey ought to be holidaying while working is permitted as a secondary occupation to augment their financial resources.
Conditions for benefiting from the Agreement
Young nationals of Australia who wish to take advantage of the provisions of this Agreement should:
- have a holiday in Belgium as their primary intention, employment being incidental and accessory;
- be aged between 18 and 30 years at the time of application;
- hold a valid passport;
- possess a valid return ticket, or sufficient funds to purchase such a ticket;
- have sufficient means, i.e. a minimum of EUR 2,500;
- be a first time applicant under this Scheme;
- submit a medical certificate issued by a medical doctor appointed by the Belgian Embassy, stating that they have no disease or infirmity that may endanger public health, order or security (the list of such diseases is annexed to the Belgian Law of 15 December 1980 on Access to the Territory, Residence, Settlement and Expulsion of Foreign Nationals);
- produce a document vouching for their good character;
- it is recommended they have comprehensive medical and hospitalisation insurance for the duration of their stay. (see also health care agreement)
How to apply
Apply for a long-stay visa (“autorisation de séjour provisoire” / “machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf” – temporary residence permit) at the Embassy in Canberra at the following address:
The Belgian Embassy in Canberra
19 Arkana Street, Yarralumla ACT 2600 - AUSTRALIA
tel: + 61.(0)2 6273 2501 fax: + 61.(0)2 6273 3392
E-mail : canberra@diplobel.fed.be .- Website : www.diplomatie.be/canberra
Documents you have to submit
1. Two completed and signed application forms.
2. Two recent passport-sized photographs.
3. Your Australian passport.
4. A certificate of good conduct (NATIONAL POLICE CHECK or NPC) not more than six months old, to be obtained from the Australian Police, relating to the last five years;
5. A recent medical report has stating that you are not suffering of any contagious diseases; the validity of this report is of 3 months after the date of issue.
The medical exam is to be done by a MD appointed by the Embassy. A blood test for syphilis and a chest x-ray for tuberculosis must be undertaken first, so that you can hand the results to the designated doctor.
If you live 150 km or more away from a designated doctor, you can choose a different doctor. Please let us have his name and address along with his telephone and fax number or his e-mail address. The Embassy will then need to legalise the medical report. Click here for the fee.
6. Proof of sufficient funds (either savings, or a credit card valid at least one year).
7. A flight itinerary for a return flight or proof of a one way flight plus proof that the applicant has sufficient funds to purchase the return leg.
8. Though Belgium and Australia have signed a health care agreement, repatriation will not be reimbursed; neither will the health insurance fund reimburse 100% of costs. It is therefore strongly advised that holders of a Working Holiday Visa take out insurance to cover the out of pocket expenses.
9. A self addressed return envelope (express, registered or courier) or postage fee.
Visa application fee - Click here
A personal appearance is required.
If you cannot make a personal appearance and you have to send your application by mail, the following requirements apply:
(1) Your signature on the application form must be notarized (certified) by a notary public or a Justice of the Peace.
(2) Do not send your form and documents to an Honorary Consul, only to the Embassy in Canberra.
Important remarks
- Upon arrival in Belgium you must register within eight days at the Town Hall (“administration communale” – “gemeentebestuur”) of your chosen place of residence. Whenever you change your residence, you must report to the Town Hall of the place you are leaving and of the place you are going to. If you do not know which municipality you are living in, call the Telephone Information Unit whose contact details are given below.
- You are allowed to engage in study or training programs but the total duration of such programs should not exceed three months.
- You do not need a work permit but access to some professions is regulated and depends on your qualifications or certificates/diplomas being recognized and on any rules of registration as a practitioner for those professions (e.g. medical or legal professions).
- Obtaining the visa may take four to six weeks or more according to the time of the year. Your visa will be valid six months if issued outside Europe or three months if issued in Europe. You must enter Belgium within the period of validity of your visa and report to the Town Hall of your chosen place of residence, where you will be issued with an identity card valid for the time of your stay (usually one year).
- If you are residing in Belgium under the Agreement and would like additional information, call the “Telephone Information Unit” of the FPS Foreign Affairs –
+(32) (0) 2 501 32 00 | 
