On April 29^th 2005, Belgium and Canada signed an Agreement on “Working Holiday” Arrangements in Brussels. This Agreement, published in the Belgian Monitor of 7 December 2006[1], entered into force on January 1^st 2007.  This allows young Belgians to go to Canada and young Canadians to come to Belgium, for a maximum period of one year, for the principal purpose of holidaying while nonetheless having the possibility of working in order to increase their financial means.

Any interested young Canadian should apply for their long-stay visa (“autorisation de séjour provisoire”/”machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf”) at the Consulate general of Belgium in Montreal in person or by mail at the following address:

Bd de Maisonneuve Ouest 999- Suite 1600

Montréal, Québec H3A-3L4

Phone: 1 (514) 849-7394

Visa application forms are available at this consular post or online. The application shall be accompanied by the following documents:

• three recent passport photographs (colour)
• Canadian passport, valid min. 1 year still, original
• a proof of non criminal record, issued by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (GRC) or provincial police or local police, dated within 6 months at the time of the visa application and covering the last year
• a medical certificate issued either by an accredited doctor of medicine or by a family doctor registered to the provincial College of Physicians
• proof of sufficient funds for at least 2,500 EUR (or equivalent in $CAD) for the 3 first months of stay in Belgium - e.g.: 3 most recent bank statements and credit card account statements, cash, or a credit card with a period of validity of at least one year
• a copy of the return ticket or the proof that the applicant has sufficient funds to purchase one (credit card for ex.)
• the original and one copy of the occupational accident coverage and health care insurance, including hospitalization and return home coverage
• consular fees for a Visa D: please check the list for the current fees

Important remarks

• Young Canadians must go to their municipality of residence for registration within eight days following their arrival in Belgium. In case of change of residence during their stay in Belgium they have to inform the administration of the municipalities of departure and arrival. Variable administrative registration costs are to be expected, according to the town hall.
• Young Canadians may, if they so wish engage in study or training programmes in Belgium. The total duration of such programmes, however, may not exceed three months.
• Young Canadians do not need a work permit to exercise an activity as a paid worker in Belgium. Access to some professions, however, may be dependent upon recognition of specific qualifications and any rules to practice in that profession.
• Young Canadians residing in Belgium under the Agreement can obtain additional information by calling the « Telephone Information Unit» of the Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs (Directorate-General for Consular Affairs) at the following numbers: 02 501 3200
• For the cost of a visa D, please check the list of consular fees
• Processing can take 4 to 6 weeks. The period of validity is six months after the visa has been issued on the passport.

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