Belgium is a small country (about the size of Maryland) in Northwestern Europe. Although best Belgium is one of the most famous countries in the world, especially for its richness in culture and diversity. The country is also known for its quality education, making it a great place for people who want to go to school there. Belgium also has a lot of jobs and career opportunities for Filipinos that are very appealing to many people.
The Philippines and Belgium have had a long history of having friendly relations with each other. The Philippine government has always been good at establishing economic ties with different countries around the world. Because of this, many people have been able to find jobs in Belgium. To do so, one must first look for opportunities abroad. This is why applicants need to find companies that are willing to hire them.
This article will help you learn about the opportunities that exist for people who wish to work abroad in Belgium as well as how you can start applying for a job today!
Table of Contents
Requirements
Check out the lists of requirements by clicking this link to learn more about the documents you need to collect.
Qualifications
Like in every other country, one must be at least 23 years old and a high school graduate. To work, one must be in good physical and mental health.
Important Steps
There are several steps involved in the process of searching for and applying for DMW jobs in Belgium. Here are some of the most important steps you’ll need to follow:
I. Job Search
The internet has made finding a job easier than ever. In this article, these are three of the known online job search engines in Belgium that are accessible in the Philippines to help you find your next job.
https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/jobs-in-belgium/?currentJobId=3439503332
Searching for jobs in Belgium from outside the country can be very difficult. You will find out a lot of information in this post, but at the end of it, you’ll understand why it’s nice to use LinkedIn to search for jobs. So, read the steps below and use this as a guide to make your job search in Belgium easier.
1. Click the link above to redirect you to the website.
2. On the ‘City, state or zip code’, enter ‘Belgium’. On the first search bar to the left, enter the job you wish to apply for. In this case, ‘Computer Programmer’ was entered.
3. You will be shown job posts based on your search.
Indeed
Indeed is a job search engine that allows you to search for millions of jobs online. With Indeed, your next job could be just around the corner. Indeed lets you search for jobs by location, company, and job title.
To search for DMW jobs in Belgium using Indeed, please refer to the steps below.
1. Click the link above to open the website.
Jobs In Brussels
https://www.jobsinbrussels.com/
The Jobs in Network has expanded significantly over the past ten years, now including over 100 job boards in Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the US. Since its beginning, the network has filled a void that was severely lacking: a single, simple-to-use online job platform for hiring managers wanting to fill positions where English is the primary working language and only extremely high-caliber experts are qualified.
To start searching for DMW jobs in Belgium, you may follow the steps below.
1. Click the link above to view the website.
2. In the left search bar, enter the job you wish to apply for.
3. You will be shown results based on your search.
DMW Website
https://www.dmw.gov.ph/approved-job-orders
Finding a job doesn’t have to be stressful. Instead of spending hours surfing the net for jobs in Belgium for Filipinos, a better way is to search using the Department of Migrant Workers, which aims to help overseas Filipino workers find jobs anywhere in the world.
To start searching for DMW jobs in Belgium using the DMW website, you may refer to the steps below.
1. Click the link above to view the website.
2. In the search bar, enter ‘Belgium’.
3. Job offers will be shown to you regarding the jobs available in Belgium.
Note: You must register for an account on these websites before or after searching for a job in Germany if you want to read the job listings and contact the hiring company. Make sure your CV, cover letter,=, high school diploma, and birth certificate are prepared before you apply. These must be provided as soon as feasible to the employer. Up until you get a job, keep applying for jobs. After providing the organization or employer with any additional documentation they request, you must obtain a work permit.
II. Getting a Work Permit
The initial step in obtaining a work visa for Belgium is to locate work opportunities there. It is advantageous to be employed before you can apply for either a residence or work permit in Belgium because your work visa is linked to your residence status.
You need a work permit if you want to work in Belgium under an employment contract as a foreign worker. It also applies to residents of Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway who are not EU members.
To live and work in Belgium as a non-EU or EEA national, you must apply for a work permit. To enter Belgium, you must first apply for a long-stay visa, and once there, you must apply for a residence permit with employment rights.
Types of Work Permits
In Belgium, there are three different kinds of work permits for foreign nationals:
Type A work permit.
You must have held the type B permit for four years during a ten-year stay in Belgium in order to be qualified for this work permit. Type A licenses are good for an endless amount of time.
Type B work permit.
Your employer should submit an application for this type B permit on your behalf for a specific position (that cannot be filled by a Belgian or EU national).
Type C work permit.
If you want to work in Belgium and you are a temporary visitor or an asylum seeker whose right to remain in Belgium is not permanent, you will need a type C permit. It is good for a maximum of one.
Belgian Work Visa Requirements
The following papers are necessary for a work visa in Belgium:
- The form for a visa must be fully completed and signed.
- A passport that is valid for at least three months longer than the D visa’s (15-month) validity period
- A copy of the passport’s data page, including all visa and stamping pages
- One (1) photograph, no older than six months, in passport size, with a white background
- Visa application fees are non-refundable and must be paid at the time of submission
- Supporting documents:
- A letter of authorization (single permit) to work and stay from the relevant authorities in Belgium.
The Embassy must first receive an email confirmation from the issuing authority in Belgium before submitting a visa application.
Steps in Applying for a Work Permit in Belgium
Make sure that Belgium is your primary destination and that you are very clear about your travel objectives before submitting an application.
1. On this official website, you must first complete your electronic application form.
2. You will schedule an appointment with the Belgian Visa Application Center in Manila after printing, signing, and compiling the necessary supporting documentation. Please adhere to the directions provided on the VFS website for this.
3. The final step is to personally submit the visa application to the Belgian VAC and then show up for the Embassy interview. Mandatory interviews for cohabitation, marriage and family reunion visas typically happen the day after the file is submitted. Applicants for other visas that may eventually require an interview will be given a potential date by VFS.
The Embassy will accept direct visa applications from holders of diplomatic passports, family members of EU citizens, humanitarian organizations, and “substantiated emergencies.” Only our e-Appointment system can be used to schedule appointments.
III. Preparation for Going to Belgium
You need to know where to begin if you want to fulfill your dream of working and living in Belgium.
That’s where our checklist will come in handy. We’ll walk you through everything so you don’t forget anything!
Learn Facts about Belgium
Knowing the slight cultural differences is important when it comes to Belgium. It might be considered impolite to not have a basic understanding of linguistic and political division.
Languages
Three regions, each with its official language, make up Belgium:
People speak Dutch in the northern region of Flanders. It’s frequently referred to as Flemish because of some differences in vocabulary and pronunciation. Most Dutch people, however, will have no trouble understanding it!
The language is additionally broken down into dialects to further complicate matters. All over Flanders, you can hear Brabantian, West Flemish, East Flemish, and Limburgish!
Southern Belgium’s Wallonia region has French as its official language. However, the German-speaking Community, which makes up just 1% of Belgians, is located to the east of Wallonia.
The Brussels-Capital Region is another. While most of the regions have a fairly distinct linguistic division, Brussels is kind of a unicorn.
Culture
Depending on which region of Belgium you are in, not only do the languages differ but so do the cultures and architectural styles. Rather than being based on the country’s administrative borders, ethnicity is the foundation of Belgian nationalism.
However, at the risk of generalizing, the following characteristics of Belgian culture are useful to be aware of:
- Belgians tend to be modest, calm, and reserved. Although Walloon culture tends to be more formal and hierarchical than the informal Flemish, they are both generally egalitarian.
- Compared to the emotionally reserved and direct Flemish, Walloons are more emotional and indirect in their expression. The Flemish get right to the point while the French prefers to engage in small talk before talking about important issues.
- Because Belgians value their privacy, it’s best to refrain from getting too personal when you don’t know someone well.
- The Belgian way is all about discipline and hard work. People take planning very seriously, especially in Brussels and Flanders. Even with your friends, you should schedule appointments in advance because their schedules are booked up for the upcoming weeks. And be on time—in Belgium, it’s crucial to be on time!
- In general, Belgians comply with the law. A Belgian won’t be seen crossing a street at a red light!
- The best time to relax is on Sundays.
- When working on Sundays, employees must be paid double because many stores are closed. But fortunately, Sunday shopping options are growing, especially in bigger cities like Brussels.
- Be cautious, especially when in Brussels.
Climate
Belgium’s weather is famed. Prepare to enjoy all four seasons in a single day! So it makes sense to keep a weather app in your pocket at all times. For instance, Buienrader, Meteo, and weawow are a few of the frequently used options.
IV. Arrival in Belgium
Airports do not set luggage limits; instead, they are determined by the type of ticket you purchase from which airline and for which flight. The pertinent details should be included with the ticket and can be found on your airline’s website. These restrictions and any other terms governing the acceptance of, for example, excess baggage, will be applied by the airline when you check your luggage at the airport of departure. Make sure you make your reservation using the name that appears on your passport because they will also check your passport to see if the name on the ticket and passport match.
The documents you need to travel, in addition to your plane ticket, depending on your nationality and the country you’re going to. Again, this has nothing to do with the airport, even though the airline’s ground staff (at the airport of departure!) will check your documentation at check-in because they would be unable to transport you without it.
When you arrive in Belgium, you must go through passport control first, just like when entering any other country or airport. An immigration officer will stamp your passport (or enter the date of arrival in the Schengen Information System) to begin the clock on how long you can stay there.
After picking up your hold baggage at baggage reclaim, you go through Customs. Customs allowances (such as 1L of alcohol and 200 cigarettes) are also determined by the country in question rather than the airport (in this case, by the EU). You should go through the red channel if you have any questions about items that are subject to limits or restrictions or if you are aware that you have more than the allowed amount. If not, you can just go through the green “nothing to declare” channel, exit “landside,” and continue your journey by train, bus, or taxi.
Video: HOW TO APPLY AND WORK AS A NURSE IN BELGIUM (FILIPINO NURSE IN BELGIUM)
He explains how to apply as a nurse in Belgium in the first video. In the second video, Dolrich takes you through the process of getting Belgian citizenship for those Filipinos who are residing in Belgium.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re working or planning to work in Belgium and you are a Filipino, below are some of the frequently asked questions about getting a visa and acquiring a job for Filipinos in Belgium.
1. Is it easy for a foreigner to get a job in Belgium?
Belgium is an easy place for foreigners to find employment, and due to the large international business community and European Union (EU) presence, finding employment in Belgium’s major cities, particularly Brussels, is more likely.
2. How many days Belgium visa takes?
Applications submitted to the Belgian Embassy/Consulate General will be handled between 2 and 15 working days after receipt, assuming a complete file is submitted. We advise that you submit your applications 15 days before the date of departure. Applicants may submit their applications up to 90 days in advance.
3. Is it possible for me to just look for a job myself and enter Belgium under the tourist visa, then apply for a working permit later?
You can only travel and conduct brief business in Belgium with the Belgian Tourist Visa. With this kind of visa, you won’t be able to find employment in Belgium. You must apply for a business visa, student visa, residence permit, or another type of visa if your trip’s objective is something other than travel for pleasure.
4. How long can I work in Belgium with a visa?
In the majority of European nations, the duration of a work visa is one year. You can, however, extend it in most of them. Your local city hall’s immigration office is where you can renew your work visa. You can apply for either permanent residence or a work permit type A after five years of residence and employment in Belgium.
If you have a job in Belgium, you are able to live and work there indefinitely with a work permit A.
5. How is life in Belgium for foreigners?
Belgian expat life can be wonderful. High quality services and living conditions are provided by the government. In general, crime rates are low, particularly outside of Brussels and Antwerp. With some of the lowest private healthcare costs in the European Union, the nation has an excellent healthcare system (EU).
Summary
Finding a job as a foreigner in Belgium is not as hard if you know the right route to follow. The only hurdle when it comes to finding jobs here is that Belgian companies do not hire foreigners easily unless they have special skills and knowledge on the job position. Other than that, the Filipinos are given equal opportunity for employment.
This article aims to give you a rundown of what you can expect from a search for jobs in Belgium, especially if you are fresh out of college or if you just graduated and would like to look for jobs here.
Good luck on your search!