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It has emerged that belgium is set to fully digitise its short-term work permit and commuter permit application process from May 1, 2026, in a major administrative overhaul aimed at modernising how foreign worker documentation is handled.
In a joint official communiqué released on April 17, 2026, on its website, by Belgium’s Federal Immigration Office and cited by on Monday, under the new system, employers and authorised representatives will be required to submit all applications exclusively through the country’s official online portal, replacing the long-standing email-based submission process.
The change is expected to affect short-term work permits typically issued for non-EU professionals undertaking assignments such as technical support, business visits, training, or equipment installation, usually lasting up to 90 days.
Authorities say the shift is designed to improve efficiency, reduce administrative errors, and eliminate delays caused by incomplete or misplaced email submissions. By centralising applications on a digital platform, officials will be able to track submissions more accurately, verify documents faster, and streamline processing times.
The new system will require employers to register on the government’s online portal and obtain valid digital credentials before submitting applications. Officials have warned that failure to set up access in advance could lead to processing delays once the system becomes mandatory.
“A temporary transition arrangement has been introduced in the Wallonia region, where email submissions will still be accepted until August 31, 2026. on the other hand, no similar grace period has been confirmed for Flanders or the Brussels-Capital Region, where full compliance with the online system is expected by the May deadline,” the statement noted.
The reform is part of Belgium’s broader push to modernise its immigration and labour administration systems, aligning with wider European trends toward fully digital public service delivery.
Once implemented, the policy will mark the end of email-based submissions for these categories, representing one of the most significant changes to Belgium’s work permit application process in recent years.
In a joint official communiqué released on April 17, 2026, on its website, by Belgium’s Federal Immigration Office and cited by on Monday, under the new system, employers and authorised representatives will be required to submit all applications exclusively through the country’s official online portal, replacing the long-standing email-based submission process.
The change is expected to affect short-term work permits typically issued for non-EU professionals undertaking assignments such as technical support, business visits, training, or equipment installation, usually lasting up to 90 days.
Authorities say the shift is designed to improve efficiency, reduce administrative errors, and eliminate delays caused by incomplete or misplaced email submissions. By centralising applications on a digital platform, officials will be able to track submissions more accurately, verify documents faster, and streamline processing times.
The new system will require employers to register on the government’s online portal and obtain valid digital credentials before submitting applications. Officials have warned that failure to set up access in advance could lead to processing delays once the system becomes mandatory.
“A temporary transition arrangement has been introduced in the Wallonia region, where email submissions will still be accepted until August 31, 2026. on the other hand, no similar grace period has been confirmed for Flanders or the Brussels-Capital Region, where full compliance with the online system is expected by the May deadline,” the statement noted.
The reform is part of Belgium’s broader push to modernise its immigration and labour administration systems, aligning with wider European trends toward fully digital public service delivery.
Once implemented, the policy will mark the end of email-based submissions for these categories, representing one of the most significant changes to Belgium’s work permit application process in recent years.
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