I am a US Citizen that wants to move to Belgium. Is it hard to get a work visa?
I have 5 years experience as a data/product/CRM analyst with specialized experience in business intelligence/statistical analysis software. I also have a Bachelor's and Master's in Mathematics. I have been applying to companies for more than one month and have yet to hear anything. Is it hard to get a work visa with my experience? My boyfriend resides in Brussels, Belgium and I am looking for a way to move there as soon as I can. Any advice on how to achieve this would be most welcome. Thank you!
Belgium - 3 Answers
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1 :
My husband is French and the E.U. has standardized laws regarding work visas now so it is the same there as it is in Belgium. Aside from getting married to your boyfriend (which would automatically grant you citizenship and therefore a work permit for all of the E.U.) you need to find a company to sponsor you. Usually, the best bet is to find a U.S. company with a branch operating in the country where you want to live. Apply there for a specific opening abroad and play up your knowledge of the language (french or flemish) and the homecountry way of doing things as reasons to hire you over a local. Unemployment is high over there and you are very unlikely to find employment if you need a Belgian company to sponsor you. Good luck!
2 :
The EU rules make it very difficult for a non-EU citizen to work in an EU country without the sponsorship of a country. You might have luck signing on with a US company that does a lot of business in Belgium or in a neighboring country. Alternatively, marrying an EU citizen would give you the proper standing to work in the EU.
3 :
I'm Canadian and I got a work visa (and eventual citizenship in Belgium), so it's possible. The only way to get a work visa (without getting married to a Belgian) is to find a company here in Belgium that will hire you. They are going to have to start the procedure for obtaining a work visa for you. It could take 6 to 12 months before a work visa is granted. Once a work visa is obtained, you have to apply for a residence permit. You can do this yourself but I'm sure your company will do it. Note that you cannot by law work in Belgium while waiting for your work visa. That part sucks. It could take anywhere from 3 to 7 years before you are able to apply for Belgian citizenship (the rules change every year). If your boyfriend is Belgian, then he can officially take responsibility for you while you live in Belgium. You can't work, but you can look for work. You won't have any benefits however. If you marry a Belgian, you get citizenship in a year or two. I'm not sure, but I think you can get a work visa right away then. This is a hard and tedious process. The Belgium system is slow and full of red tape. go the the link below to put your resume online in Belgium. It is one of the better sites to put your resume. Belgium is a great country and full of opportunities. I wish you luck!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Is Belgium a gay-friendly country?Why/why not ? Can a gay Belgian man marry an Asian guy in Belgium
Is Belgium a gay-friendly country?Why/why not ? Can a gay Belgian man marry an Asian guy in Belgium?
Q.1) The same as the title question Q.2) The Asian guy is non-EU citizen. What documents do they need to sign for marriage? How can they apply for it? Question 3) Can the gay Asian guy apply for a Belgian passport or Belgian permanent residency after having civil union with the gay Belgian guy ? If yes, how? and how long does it take? Question 4) As a civil union couple, what social welfare can they enjoy? How much taxes do they need to pay every year if they work in Belgium? thanks
Belgium - 4 Answers
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1 :
If you are serious about this matter then what follows is the legal standpoint of the Belgian Government. On 30 January 2003 Belgium became the second country in the world to legally recognize same-sex marriages. Legislation allows any gay or lesbian couple to marry in Belgium regardless of their nationality as long as one of them has lived in Belgium for at least three months. All rights accorded by a heterosexual marriage are the same in gay marriage (tax, property, inheritance law and the procedure for divorce) - there are no exceptions. A same-sex couple may also adopt children and any children born to a same-sex couple can be affiliated to the non-biological parent by means of adoption. As with heterosexual marriages, marriage can take place as long as both parties have reached 18 years of age (the age of sexual consent in Belgium is 16). Paperwork requirements: All documentation must to be taken to the marriage office in the commune where at least one of the couple lives. For many people this office will be part of the Service de l'Etat Civil/ de Burgerlijke Stant and may be located in the Maison Communale/ Stadhuis. Original or certified copies (not photocopies) of the following documents are required: * Birth certificate for both parties * Certificate of residence, showing full name, place and date of birth, last legal residence, nationality and marital status for both parties. Anyone who is not a Belgian resident must obtain their certificate from the authorities in their last place of residence. If this is not possible then ask the local Belgian authorities what is accepted. * If a partner in a same-sex marriage has been married previously (in a heterosexual or same-sex marriage) divorce certificates giving the date of the official cessation of that marriage will also be needed. Certificates and certified copies can often be obtained via the relevant embassy in Belgium for payment of a fee. All official documents issued in a country other than Belgium need to be authenticated and if they are written in a language other than Dutch, French or German, they must be accompanied by a translation from an approved translator at a cost. The link that follows explains everything you need to know about nationalization, taxation and social welfare: http://www.belgium.be/fr/famille/couple/mariage/mariage_homosexuel/ (in French).
2 :
I have quite a few friends that are Gay (and Belgian) and I have NEVER known any of them to get hassle all in all I think it is a very accepting little country. (And by the way, you're not going to get a better answer than Jean-Michel so to avoid a stupid and potentially harsh answer being posted and then having that person vote themselves as best and get it I would chose Jean-Michel's answer when the chance to choose a best comes up)
3 :
Belgium is a very friendly country and people are really nice the Gay community have been more open in Belgium than the UK and they provides more discos pubs and boats than any other country in Europe ?and yes as long as they have the appropriate papers there should be no problem
4 :
Very gay friendly - although the youth is that a bit less. About papers, I do not know.
Q.1) The same as the title question Q.2) The Asian guy is non-EU citizen. What documents do they need to sign for marriage? How can they apply for it? Question 3) Can the gay Asian guy apply for a Belgian passport or Belgian permanent residency after having civil union with the gay Belgian guy ? If yes, how? and how long does it take? Question 4) As a civil union couple, what social welfare can they enjoy? How much taxes do they need to pay every year if they work in Belgium? thanks
Belgium - 4 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
If you are serious about this matter then what follows is the legal standpoint of the Belgian Government. On 30 January 2003 Belgium became the second country in the world to legally recognize same-sex marriages. Legislation allows any gay or lesbian couple to marry in Belgium regardless of their nationality as long as one of them has lived in Belgium for at least three months. All rights accorded by a heterosexual marriage are the same in gay marriage (tax, property, inheritance law and the procedure for divorce) - there are no exceptions. A same-sex couple may also adopt children and any children born to a same-sex couple can be affiliated to the non-biological parent by means of adoption. As with heterosexual marriages, marriage can take place as long as both parties have reached 18 years of age (the age of sexual consent in Belgium is 16). Paperwork requirements: All documentation must to be taken to the marriage office in the commune where at least one of the couple lives. For many people this office will be part of the Service de l'Etat Civil/ de Burgerlijke Stant and may be located in the Maison Communale/ Stadhuis. Original or certified copies (not photocopies) of the following documents are required: * Birth certificate for both parties * Certificate of residence, showing full name, place and date of birth, last legal residence, nationality and marital status for both parties. Anyone who is not a Belgian resident must obtain their certificate from the authorities in their last place of residence. If this is not possible then ask the local Belgian authorities what is accepted. * If a partner in a same-sex marriage has been married previously (in a heterosexual or same-sex marriage) divorce certificates giving the date of the official cessation of that marriage will also be needed. Certificates and certified copies can often be obtained via the relevant embassy in Belgium for payment of a fee. All official documents issued in a country other than Belgium need to be authenticated and if they are written in a language other than Dutch, French or German, they must be accompanied by a translation from an approved translator at a cost. The link that follows explains everything you need to know about nationalization, taxation and social welfare: http://www.belgium.be/fr/famille/couple/mariage/mariage_homosexuel/ (in French).
2 :
I have quite a few friends that are Gay (and Belgian) and I have NEVER known any of them to get hassle all in all I think it is a very accepting little country. (And by the way, you're not going to get a better answer than Jean-Michel so to avoid a stupid and potentially harsh answer being posted and then having that person vote themselves as best and get it I would chose Jean-Michel's answer when the chance to choose a best comes up)
3 :
Belgium is a very friendly country and people are really nice the Gay community have been more open in Belgium than the UK and they provides more discos pubs and boats than any other country in Europe ?and yes as long as they have the appropriate papers there should be no problem
4 :
Very gay friendly - although the youth is that a bit less. About papers, I do not know.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Volunteer work opportunities in Brussels, Belgium
Volunteer work opportunities in Brussels, Belgium?
I have been looking on the internet, but I can't really find anything... If anyone could give a website in ENGLISH with volunteer work opportunities here (for the year 2008 that is XD), it would be appreciated!! =)
Belgium - 2 Answers
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1 :
Hello, here are some links i have found, they are in French ... http://www.spj-ad.com/adsve-venir.php http://www.easyexpat.com/bruxelles_fr/emploi_volontariat-international.htm http://europa.eu/youth/volunteering_-_exchanges/index_be_fr.html
2 :
In addition to the previous answerer: this is an (with link to English) website of the Belgian Volunteer's Work Association: http://www.volontariat.be/ You can contact them at: volontariat@skynet.be and ask which projects are running in Brussels.
I have been looking on the internet, but I can't really find anything... If anyone could give a website in ENGLISH with volunteer work opportunities here (for the year 2008 that is XD), it would be appreciated!! =)
Belgium - 2 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Hello, here are some links i have found, they are in French ... http://www.spj-ad.com/adsve-venir.php http://www.easyexpat.com/bruxelles_fr/emploi_volontariat-international.htm http://europa.eu/youth/volunteering_-_exchanges/index_be_fr.html
2 :
In addition to the previous answerer: this is an (with link to English) website of the Belgian Volunteer's Work Association: http://www.volontariat.be/ You can contact them at: volontariat@skynet.be and ask which projects are running in Brussels.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Is there a bath and body works in Belgium
Is there a bath and body works in Belgium?
I know it's an odd request but I'd like to know.
Belgium - 1 Answers
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1 :
No, not yet. And unfortunately, they won't ship online outside of the U.S....
I know it's an odd request but I'd like to know.
Belgium - 1 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
No, not yet. And unfortunately, they won't ship online outside of the U.S....
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