Family reunification

Family members of persons who have a right of residence in Belgium – whether third-country nationals, EU citizens or Belgian nationals – may apply for a right of residence on the basis of family reunification. Different conditions apply to each category, different documents are required, and different family members are eligible.

If the family member is still abroad, they must submit an application for a visa/residence permit at a Belgian diplomatic mission. Is the family member already in Belgium? In that case, the application can be made to the local council. In principle, applications submitted to the local council are not possible for family members of non-EU nationals.

No individual support with the procedure

Myria does not offer individual support with the family reunification procedure. This means that Myria does not help with:

  • Completing visa application forms (online or on paper)
  • Booking an appointment at visa centres (VFS/TLS) to submit the application (external service providers for diplomatic missions)
  • Check the documents required for family reunification
  • Obtain visas to travel to third countries where diplomatic missions are located
  • Seek financial resources to cover the costs of the procedure
  • Contact the diplomatic mission to arrange an appointment to submit the application or to obtain authorisation to submit the application remotely (by email)
  • Contact the Immigration Office regarding missing documents, justification for humanitarian visa applications, justification for late submission, requests for review, etc.

Family reunification with beneficiaries of international protection

Specific conditions apply to family reunification with persons recognised as refugees or enjoying subsidiary protection status in Belgium. Myria has a joint project with UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency, in this area.

2024 Annual report Trafficking and smuggling of human beings Publication

2024 Annual report Trafficking and smuggling of human beings

26 August 2025

This annual report, entitled ‘Latin American sex work: a high-risk carousel’, particularly draws attention to the phenomenon of Latin American sex work and calls for the fight against trafficking to be adapted to the new realities of the digital world. These realities are leading to the creation of new, subtle forms of exploitation that require properly adapted investigative resources. Myria is also calling for stronger international collaboration and awareness-raising among the players concerned