Allwyn
@allwyn
Indian expat in Belgium
Forum posts
54
Contacts
8
About me
Indian, Married with children
Lives in Brussels
Speaks English, Hindi, Marathi
Registration: 06 November 2013
Permanent Residence Card - Type-D by shaans
Hello, I had applied for Permanent Residence Card - Type-B in September 2018 in 1000 Commune Brussels. But there was no answer until March 2019 so when i visited the commune again to check status they asked me to apply for Permanent Residence Card ...
Hello Alex. Me and my family have been together in Belgium since our arrival in 2014. I received my Permanent Residence Card Type-D this month. My query was whether my dependent and non-working spouse and children who currently have the type-A ... Read More
Permanent Residence Card - Type-D by shaans
Hello, I had applied for Permanent Residence Card - Type-B in September 2018 in 1000 Commune Brussels. But there was no answer until March 2019 so when i visited the commune again to check status they asked me to apply for Permanent Residence Card ...
Thank you for your reply, Alex. My family has been with me since my arrival in 2014 and I have just got my type D-card. So, which card does my dependent family get now that I have my type D-card ? Regards. Read More
Permanent Residence Card - Type-D by shaans
Hello, I had applied for Permanent Residence Card - Type-B in September 2018 in 1000 Commune Brussels. But there was no answer until March 2019 so when i visited the commune again to check status they asked me to apply for Permanent Residence Card ...
Hello all. If the working member of the family gets a Permanent Residence Card - Type D, do the dependent and non-working family members also get the same type-D card ? All the members of the family have the same non-EU country citizenship. I am ... Read More
Permanent Residence Card - Type-B or Type-D
Hello all. I recently completed 5 years in Belgium with continuous employment at the same employer on Work Permit B. I intend to apply for the Permanent Resident Card the coming month even though my current Residence Permit expires in Decmber ... Read More
STIB Season Pass for children of 12-20 age group by allwyn
Hi all. Living in Brussels with family the past 2 years. I wanted to ask about the annual pass for school children for travel on the Brussels network of metro, tram and bus. My child, after reaching 12 years in age, had taken the STIB annual pass ...
Hello. Thank you for the information. :) I think I may have misread the free travel for the 3rd child as free travel from the 3rd year. But I had paid 120 euros in July 2015 at the De Brouckere kiosk for my child's first subscription when he ... Read More
STIB Season Pass for children of 12-20 age group
Hi all. Living in Brussels with family the past 2 years. I wanted to ask about the annual pass for school children for travel on the Brussels network of metro, tram and bus. My child, after reaching 12 years in age, had taken the STIB annual pass ... Read More
Driving to the UK from Brussels by allwyn
Hello all. I am Allwyn from India, staying with family in Brussels since the last 15 months. I recently obtained a 1-year Visit visa for the UK. Now, I intend to drive alone from Brussels to Oxford using the company car. What is the cheapest way ...
Well, I finally drove to London from Brussels and back. Travelled with family Started on a Monday and returned on Friday. A satisfying experience. Used the DFDS ferry service. The cost was 69 euros, to and fro for a short-stay trip from Dunkirk to ... Read More
Driving to the UK from Brussels by allwyn
Hello all. I am Allwyn from India, staying with family in Brussels since the last 15 months. I recently obtained a 1-year Visit visa for the UK. Now, I intend to drive alone from Brussels to Oxford using the company car. What is the cheapest way ...
Hello. Any information is welcome. Waiting for inputs from the forum. Regards. Read More
Driving to the UK from Brussels
Hello all. I am Allwyn from India, staying with family in Brussels since the last 15 months. I recently obtained a 1-year Visit visa for the UK. Now, I intend to drive alone from Brussels to Oxford using the company car. What is the cheapest way ... Read More
Driving in Belgium by Maximilien
Hi, What do you think of the way people drive in Belgium? How different is it from your home country? Respecting the road safety rules, driving etiquette such as general courtesy, speed excess聟 what are the characteristics of the driving style ...
Hi all. I have been driving in Belgium since 1 year. I am from Mumbai, India. Having driven there for a long time, Belgium driving, outside the cities, is like going through a curfew area. There are almost no people, cars, trucks on the roads. The ... Read More
Driving license for an Indian by allwyn
Hi all. I am from Mumbai, India. I have an Indian driving license and an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued in India. Now, I am moving to Brussels in April 2014 on a Work Permit and am getting a Company Car on arrival. The question is : ...
Hello all. YES. I passed my Driving Practical Test today. On my second attempt. Oof... what a relief. I had failed the first time at the Schaerbeek Centre. I will detail later. Right now, let me savour the moment. Bye. Regards, Allwyn. Read More
Driving license for an Indian by allwyn
Hi all. I am from Mumbai, India. I have an Indian driving license and an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued in India. Now, I am moving to Brussels in April 2014 on a Work Permit and am getting a Company Car on arrival. The question is : ...
Hello all. I need confirmation on this piece of information I received yesterday. " After passing the Theory Test in Driving for a Car, only a person having a foreign driving license can give his Practical Test anywhere in Belgium and is not ... Read More
Driving license for an Indian by allwyn
Hi all. I am from Mumbai, India. I have an Indian driving license and an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued in India. Now, I am moving to Brussels in April 2014 on a Work Permit and am getting a Company Car on arrival. The question is : ...
Hello all. I failed my Practical Exam today at the Schaerbeek Centre. A big puncture to my ego. Firstly, I reached late by 20 minutes. Miscalculated the Watermael and Tervurenlaan traffic jam. But somehow my translator got the appointment going. ... Read More
Driving license for an Indian by allwyn
Hi all. I am from Mumbai, India. I have an Indian driving license and an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued in India. Now, I am moving to Brussels in April 2014 on a Work Permit and am getting a Company Car on arrival. The question is : ...
Hello all. I have my Driving Practical Test next week. What are the steps involved in the test ? Is opening the hood and seeing oil, brake oil levels, tyre wear-tear part of the test ? My test is in Schaerbeek centre. What are the routes taken ? ... Read More
Driving license for an Indian by allwyn
Hi all. I am from Mumbai, India. I have an Indian driving license and an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued in India. Now, I am moving to Brussels in April 2014 on a Work Permit and am getting a Company Car on arrival. The question is : ...
Hello all. Well, I passed my Theory Exam for Driving License B (For Car) today morning. Compared to what I had studied and practised, the test was easy and I scored 48/50. The minimum marks are 41 out of 50. The exam cost me 15 Euros for the ... Read More
Driving license for an Indian by allwyn
Hi all. I am from Mumbai, India. I have an Indian driving license and an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued in India. Now, I am moving to Brussels in April 2014 on a Work Permit and am getting a Company Car on arrival. The question is : ...
Hello all. I am giving my Theory Test for License B next week. I have studied from the " Driving in Belgium from A to Z " book in English and have done the exercises from the Book and the online version exercises using a book code. Now, ... Read More
Driving license for an Indian by allwyn
Hi all. I am from Mumbai, India. I have an Indian driving license and an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued in India. Now, I am moving to Brussels in April 2014 on a Work Permit and am getting a Company Car on arrival. The question is : ...
Hello all. I got my Residence Card yesterday. Now for the Driving License. I need a Theory book in English for the Theory exam of the License. Some shops I visited were out of stock and were waiting for the 2014 edition. Anyone can help me out ... Read More
Driving license for an Indian by allwyn
Hi all. I am from Mumbai, India. I have an Indian driving license and an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued in India. Now, I am moving to Brussels in April 2014 on a Work Permit and am getting a Company Car on arrival. The question is : ...
Hi Aneesh. Thank you for the info, again. Yes, like you say, I have to wait for my Residence Card for giving the theory exam. I keep you posted ion the developments. Regards, Allwyn. Read More
Driving license for an Indian by allwyn
Hi all. I am from Mumbai, India. I have an Indian driving license and an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued in India. Now, I am moving to Brussels in April 2014 on a Work Permit and am getting a Company Car on arrival. The question is : ...
So, now I have got some hang of the driving here. Now, to deal with the Theory exams. I have registered with the commune. The Residence card will take time to arrive. When should I apply for the Provisional License ? Once I apply, when do I get ... Read More
ISB or BSB? by nunu10
Hey there :) I'm moving to Brussels soon and I'm having trouble deciding on which school to go to. I've narrowed my choices down to ISB (International School Brussels) and BSB (British School Brussels), but I just can't decide! I'm 14 and I will be ...
So, ISB it is. Since the month of April is full of holidays, I start from May 2014. Will keep you all posted. Regards, Allwyn. Read More
Purchase of washing machine and dryer by allwyn
Hi all. I am Allwyn with family in Brussels, and soon shifting to a detached house on the periphery. I need to buy a 7 kg washing machine and a 7kg dryer. Which are the good, value-for-money brands ? Energy usage is also a factor. Then I also ...
Well, I finally got the washing machine, dryer from Krefel. I got the reasonable top-end stuff. Washing machine - Siemens 8kg - 600 Euros Dryer - Bosch 7kg - 700 euros Good A+++ machines. Though expensive, I got them with extended warranties for 99 ... Read More
Purchase of washing machine and dryer
Hi all. I am Allwyn with family in Brussels, and soon shifting to a detached house on the periphery. I need to buy a 7 kg washing machine and a 7kg dryer. Which are the good, value-for-money brands ? Energy usage is also a factor. Then I also ... Read More
ISB for school and where to live. by allwyn
Hi all. I am Allwyn and just arrived in Brussels with family on Tuesday. My wife visited ISB and has finalized it for the IB curriculum. My work will be in Overijse for an engineering company. Now initially, I had kind of planned BSB in Tervuren ...
Yes, there is no Dutch exposure in ISB, but French is encouraged. For Dutch, I may join Call International in Waterloo with a colleague of mine. They have Group Intensive week and Group Once a week sessions for 30-90 hrs. I am requesting my compnay ... Read More
ISB for school and where to live. by allwyn
Hi all. I am Allwyn and just arrived in Brussels with family on Tuesday. My wife visited ISB and has finalized it for the IB curriculum. My work will be in Overijse for an engineering company. Now initially, I had kind of planned BSB in Tervuren ...
Hi all. Now, ISB seems to be the one. Happy with the facilities, infrastructure and teaching staff. Paperwork has yet to start. Hoping for " All is Well" scenario. The house is still in process. It has come down to 3 choices in Overijse, Hoeilaart ... Read More
House shifting to Brussels from India by allwyn
Hi all. I and my family are reaching Brussels from India by the end of March. The Relocation people have just come and started packing my stuff. Should take them 2 days. Using maybe a half-container for my goods. They have mentioned a duration of ...
Hi all. Kind of finalised a big rental house outside Brussels. So, all my stuff including my steel Godrej almirahs will move in fine albeit on the ground floor. Been a month since my stuff left my home in Mumbai, India and I heard the container ... Read More
House Insurance (Cheap) for Rental Premises
Hi all. I am in Brussels with family and need to take out an insurance on an unfurnished 4-bedroom house. What is the minimum insurance to take ? Will only Tenant Liability do ? Is Contents insurance mandatory ? There are options of * Theft and ... Read More
ISB for school and where to live. by allwyn
Hi all. I am Allwyn and just arrived in Brussels with family on Tuesday. My wife visited ISB and has finalized it for the IB curriculum. My work will be in Overijse for an engineering company. Now initially, I had kind of planned BSB in Tervuren ...
Hello everyone. I am planning for ISB for chidren's school and most probably, Hoeilaart for home. The houses are large with gardens and that is something my children would love to experience which they never got a chance in Mumbai, India. And ... Read More
Learning to shop for everyday stuff in Brussels
Hi all. I am from Mumbai, India and have recently shifted to Brussels with family. And, the prices are killing me. Bananas and apples cost the same. Coca Cola costs more than pilsner beer. Prices of clothes and shoes make me shudder. Simple ... Read More
ISB for school and where to live. by allwyn
Hi all. I am Allwyn and just arrived in Brussels with family on Tuesday. My wife visited ISB and has finalized it for the IB curriculum. My work will be in Overijse for an engineering company. Now initially, I had kind of planned BSB in Tervuren ...
Well, Tervurener, what you say is true. But, I kind of find the idea of children going to an international school and living with locals very appealing. Also, my kids are very outgoing in nature and will try to integrate with the locals.Language ... Read More
Driving license for an Indian by allwyn
Hi all. I am from Mumbai, India. I have an Indian driving license and an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued in India. Now, I am moving to Brussels in April 2014 on a Work Permit and am getting a Company Car on arrival. The question is : ...
Hi all. I am Allwyn here I am in Brussels now near the Gare du Boondael. And driving. Oof ! Left-hand drive is a proper headache. So many times, I have entered wrong lanes, started wipers instead of turn indicators, etc. And the street signs. So ... Read More
ISB for school and where to live. by allwyn
Hi all. I am Allwyn and just arrived in Brussels with family on Tuesday. My wife visited ISB and has finalized it for the IB curriculum. My work will be in Overijse for an engineering company. Now initially, I had kind of planned BSB in Tervuren ...
Elder one is 11 and younger is 9 and from an English background Read More
ISB for school and where to live.
Hi all. I am Allwyn and just arrived in Brussels with family on Tuesday. My wife visited ISB and has finalized it for the IB curriculum. My work will be in Overijse for an engineering company. Now initially, I had kind of planned BSB in Tervuren ... Read More
House shifting to Brussels from India by allwyn
Hi all. I and my family are reaching Brussels from India by the end of March. The Relocation people have just come and started packing my stuff. Should take them 2 days. Using maybe a half-container for my goods. They have mentioned a duration of ...
Hi all. I am in Belgium. Voila! I reached on Tuesday via Jet. Am currently staying on a temporary basis near Gare du Boondael. And I am waiting for my stuff to arrive from India and then shift to the new address. Just arrived with clothes and ... Read More
Where to stay if school is ISB
Hi all. I am Allwyn from Mumbai, India and coming to Brussels with family at the end of March 2014. I will be working in Overijse and have a choice of staying close to school or work or somewhere central. In the initial stages, I had narrowed ... Read More
House shifting to Brussels from India by allwyn
Hi all. I and my family are reaching Brussels from India by the end of March. The Relocation people have just come and started packing my stuff. Should take them 2 days. Using maybe a half-container for my goods. They have mentioned a duration of ...
Hi all. My stuff is packed and gone and it includes my 2 dear Godrej cupboards. I will be shifting into a semi-furnished premises most probably.Also new pressure cookers, frying pans, roti-makers, thick rajais, mixer, etc are included. This is a ... Read More
Essentials from India not available in Brussels
Hi all. I am reaching Brussels from Mumbai, India with my family on a long-stay visa in a month's time. What are the things I need to get here from India that would not be available in Brussels ? And, in the coming months, how is the weather ? ... Read More
House shifting to Brussels from India
Hi all. I and my family are reaching Brussels from India by the end of March. The Relocation people have just come and started packing my stuff. Should take them 2 days. Using maybe a half-container for my goods. They have mentioned a duration of ... Read More
Savings Bank Account with least charges and maximum security
Hi all. I am Allwyn from Mumbai arriving in Brussels with family in March-April 2014. In India, the government (public sector) banks offer guaranteed safety of one's savings account along with low maintenance charges compared to private ... Read More
Requirement of Birth Certificate or NABC for dependent spouse visa
Hello to everybody. I am Allwyn from Mumbai, India. I have just received my D-type visa for long stay. My issue, nowadays, is about a Birth Certificate. How crucial is its requirement for a Family visa for Belgium ? My wife does not have a birth ... Read More
Driving license for an Indian by allwyn
Hi all. I am from Mumbai, India. I have an Indian driving license and an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued in India. Now, I am moving to Brussels in April 2014 on a Work Permit and am getting a Company Car on arrival. The question is : ...
Hi. A belated Merry Christmas to you & Compliments of the Season. Sorry for the late thanks since I was totally caught up in the Christmas activities at home. Thank you for your exhaustive response. It has given me a crystal clear picture of the ... Read More
Driving license for an Indian by allwyn
Hi all. I am from Mumbai, India. I have an Indian driving license and an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued in India. Now, I am moving to Brussels in April 2014 on a Work Permit and am getting a Company Car on arrival. The question is : ...
Hello Aneesh. I am Allwyn from Mumbai, India. Thank you for your response to my driving license issue. It was the most informative and precise reply. I will arrive in Brussels in March-April 2014 with my family on a D-visa, and apply for a ... Read More
Searching for a house/apt in Tervuren
Hi all. I am Allwyn from India. I will be moving to Belgium in April 2014 with my family (Wife, 2 kids aged 11 & 9 ). Since the company pays, if I choose to send my children to BSB in Tervuren, which area in Tervuren is practical in terms of near ... Read More
Driving license for an Indian by allwyn
Hi all. I am from Mumbai, India. I have an Indian driving license and an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued in India. Now, I am moving to Brussels in April 2014 on a Work Permit and am getting a Company Car on arrival. The question is : ...
Hi there. Is it true that Belgium does not have an agreement with India for driving licenses ? In that case, even an International Driving Permit issued in India is not valid in Belgium. I am not sure about this, hence so, I am asking. Does ... Read More
Driving license for an Indian by allwyn
Hi all. I am from Mumbai, India. I have an Indian driving license and an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued in India. Now, I am moving to Brussels in April 2014 on a Work Permit and am getting a Company Car on arrival. The question is : ...
Today I heard that Indian Driving Licenses may not work in Belgium. SO, does my International Driving Permit issued in India let me drive for 3 months. Then, at least, I can drive on arrival and initiate my Provisional Belgian License ... Read More
Driving license for an Indian
Hi all. I am from Mumbai, India. I have an Indian driving license and an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued in India. Now, I am moving to Brussels in April 2014 on a Work Permit and am getting a Company Car on arrival. The question is : ... Read More
Information about St. John's in Waterloo by allwyn
Hi all. I will be moving to Tervuren or Overijse in March 2014. My employer pays for the education of my children. How is BSB ? Any feedback ? Thanks.
Hi. My work will be based from Overijse. So, from that angle, it is a choice between staying in Tervuren for BSB and commuting to Overijse OR staying in Overijse and driving the chidren to school to Tervuren. What do you say is better ? Or is there ... Read More
Information about St. John's in Waterloo by allwyn
Hi all. I will be moving to Tervuren or Overijse in March 2014. My employer pays for the education of my children. How is BSB ? Any feedback ? Thanks.
Hi tervurener. You have made a valid point regarding the E411 route. Now, if I look at BSB in Tervuren, I can stay there and work at Overijse. Or, I can stay at Overijse and use the School bus. How do the rents compare in Tervuren and Overijse ? Is ... Read More
Information about St. John's in Waterloo by allwyn
Hi all. I will be moving to Tervuren or Overijse in March 2014. My employer pays for the education of my children. How is BSB ? Any feedback ? Thanks.
Hello tervurener. Thanks for your response. My work is on the E411 route. Hence travel, as seen from the Google maps, seems straight forward from Waterloo. Ground realities can differ. So, stay near school in Waterloo and travel to work by car or ... Read More
Information about St. John's in Waterloo by allwyn
Hi all. I will be moving to Tervuren or Overijse in March 2014. My employer pays for the education of my children. How is BSB ? Any feedback ? Thanks.
Thank you for your reply. I do have an option of going for the IB curriculum. In that case, how is St. John's ? I would stay in Waterloo only if the children go St. John's. My stay in Brussels is dictated by the children's school. In Brussels, my ... Read More
Information about St. John's in Waterloo by allwyn
Hi all. I will be moving to Tervuren or Overijse in March 2014. My employer pays for the education of my children. How is BSB ? Any feedback ? Thanks.
Hello Maximilien. Thank you for your welcome. Read More
Information about St. John's in Waterloo by allwyn
Hi all. I will be moving to Tervuren or Overijse in March 2014. My employer pays for the education of my children. How is BSB ? Any feedback ? Thanks.
Hello. My children are 11 and 9 years old, and fluent in English only. They are from the Indian CBSE Board which is not available in Europe. So, we would want IGCSE or Cambridge Board for their future studies in Europe. Thank you. Read More
Information about St. John's in Waterloo
Hi all. I will be moving to Tervuren or Overijse in March 2014. My employer pays for the education of my children. How is BSB ? Any feedback ? Thanks. Read More