Getting Resident card (Posting it again in the wider Belgian forum)

Maximus24 · 2018-12-18T15:31:43+01:00

Navigating the resident card process in Antwerp, Belgium? Discover tips, timelines, and answers to registration queries for newcomers.

Maximus24 Active member

Member since 28 July 2018

Maximus24Active member18 December 2018 13:31:43

Recently moved to the city of Antwerp and stuck with no idea about processes.

Registration in the city appears to be online only. Filled the form and Stad Antwerpen asked us all the necessary documents. It has been more than 2 weeks and we have no information. On phone contact we were told that we will get a reply and the appointment may take time. Even maybe by January.

1.Is this the way things go? Should I do something different?
2.If appointment itself takes 2 months when does the registration process start and how long before we get a resident card?
3. What is the national register number? It is asked for everything, from opening account, getting insurance(both hospitalization and outside hospitalization), registering for child care, etc. When will we get it?
4. Most posts here say visit commune. Is there some place we should go in person and register?

Just want to make sure I am not missing out on some process. Thanks in advance.

aneesh Belgium Expert

Member since 11 April 2010

aneeshBelgium Expert18 December 2018 14:17:10

2000

1. If you followed the procedure in the website, that is the right one.
2.In busy communes it is normal to take time to get an appointment scheduled. Think of Brussels 1000 commune where people queue up from 5 AM to get a slot Even in less busy communes in Brussels, appointment is normally given after a month or month and half from date of initial reporting to the commune and then further 1 to 2 months for RP procedure to complete.
3. It is your national number. Once commune sends your file to the ministry, they creates this number for you and it will be printed on your RP card. Yes, you need this for insurance and other formalities. Bank account can be opened based on passport and later when you have the RP, you can update the national number to your bank.
4. You may go to the local commune/townhall foreigners desk in the opening hours to enquire. Now that you have made the registration, what they can tell you is the current status (processing or what stage your file is in at this point of time).

hoangtrunghieu Active member

Member since 12 September 2018

hoangtrunghieuActive member21 December 2018 14:54:04

As I am living in Antwerp, just want to amend a bit aneeshks answer.

Currently, for inquiry related to foreigner affairs, you may have to visit

Loket Vreemdelingenzaken
Maurice Dequeeckerplein 1
2100 Deurne
Website:

But in most of the cases, they will ask you to make appointment online.