Do I need to hand in my passport when applying for a visa?

Mirage123 Member

Member since 01 February 2024

Mirage123Member27 February 2024 11:16:46

Hi,

I'm moving to Brussels in a couple of months and need a visa. My work is supposedly handling all of it, so whenever they ask for documents, I provide them. So far, they've only asked for scans of my passport, not the passport itself.

Will I ever need to hand over my physical passport? This could be an issue as I'm supposed to travel abroad for weddings over the next couple of months! Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

BMM996210 Contributor

Member since 14 December 2022

BMM996210Contributor27 February 2024 12:04:35

147

@Mirage123 Hi, your work will handle your work visa (D card) and your single permit for residence in Belgium.

Based on that application you apply for the travel visa in your country of residence. At that time indeed you will need to give your passport to get the visa stamped.

Once you are in Belgium you will use the single permit document to apply for your residence permit.

Aneesh Belgium Expert

Member since 11 April 2010

AneeshBelgium Expert29 February 2024 07:12:00

2002

What they are doing now is applying the single permit (work permit + residence authorization). this will take a few weeks. Once they have secured the single permit, you will be notified and you will receive the documents related to single permit (anexxe 49, etc). With your passport, these documents and whatever additional docs are needed, you will apply for a visa. As mentioned in the comment above, only then you need to submit your passport.

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Mirage123 Member

Member since 01 February 2024

Mirage123Member29 February 2024 08:33:34

@BMM996210 @Aneesh

Thanks both. I take it once I have my single permit, there's no 'time limit' to carry on with the process, so to speak?

So I could in theory get my single permit, hold on to it while I travel/do what I need to do with my passport, and then continue my application once I return and can safely hand over my passport?