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Dear group ,

My apologize if similar question has been addressed already.

I would like to ask for your advice regarding my permanent residence application.

- As a non-eu citizen, I moved to Belgium in 2020 as a posted employee (secondment) and have been working here continuously with uninterrupted work and financial stability since then.

- Last year, I switched to a direct employment contract with a Belgian company.

- After completing 5 years in Belgium, I applied for permanent residence at the Evere commune.

After waiting for 5 months, I followed up with the commune and was informed that my application was rejected. The ministry’s stated reason: only the period under my local Belgian contract counts, while my earlier years as a posted employee do not. So I have to again spend 5 more years in order to get an approval.

However, I know of cases where people in a similar situation (starting as posted employees, then switching to local contracts) have had their PR approved in the past few years and even months , who never completed 5 years in local contract.

Has anyone faced something similar?

1. I know there’s a way to appeal, but in this case is it really valid to do so?

2. Is it possible to reapply successfully after a few months, maybe through another commune or something?

3. In absence of permanent residence, could options like a professional card make a difference for job security without any visa restrictions?

Thanks in advance!