Belgium | Immigration | New list of shortage occupations per 1 September 2023

August 2023

Immigration

Belgium | New list of shortage occupations per 1 September 2023

Medium Impact

Summary

A new list of medium-skilled shortage occupations (‘knelpuntberoepen’/’professions en pénurie’) applicable to the Flanders region will enter into force on 1 September 2023. This list contains occupations for which there exists a structural shortage on the labour market. For shortage occupations a specific work permit can be applied for, when employing third country nationals.

Details

For shortage occupations a specific type of work permit can be applied for, for which the conditions are less stringent compared to other permit types (e.g. highly skilled worker).

The new list of shortage occupations has been amended according to the current economic reality and labour market situation and now contains 29 occupations.

On the one hand, the list was expanded with the following functions: drilling and piling machine operator, bus driver, coach driver, refrigeration technician, industrial plate metal worker, formwork- iron braider, mason, floor tiler/installer of wall and floor coverings, construction calculator and quality controller for mechanical and metal constructions.

On the other hand, some functions were removed from the list: chef, installer of data communication works and rigger-assembler.

What this means

• Shortage occupation applications for newly added functions can be approved by the authorities as of 1 September 2023.
• As of 1 September 2023, no new shortage occupation applications can be submitted for removed functions. Future applications for the above three functions should therefore be submitted in another permit category.
• Shortage occupation applications for removed functions that were already submitted to the authorities before 31 August 2023, will still be treated as usual.
• Existing shortage occupation permits for removed functions can be extended provided that there is no change of employer, even after 1 September 2023. Changing employer is not possible, even if it concerns the same function that is being renewed.

How we can help

Vialto Partners can advise you on the conditions and requirements to qualify for a shortage occupation application and can assist in the filing of the application with the authorities. Vialto Partners can also advice on alternative options in case the function would not/no langer qualify as a shortage occupation.

Contact us

For a deeper discussion on the above, please reach out to your Vialto Partners point of contact, or alternatively:

• Joke Braam, Director | joke.braam@vialto.com
• Ajshe Miftari, Senior Manager | ajshe.miftari@vialto.com
• Evelien Rummens, Senior Manager | evelien.rummens@vialtopartners.com

Further information on Vialto Partners can be found here: www.vialtopartners.com

Vialto Partners (“Vialto”) refers to wholly owned subsidiaries of CD&R Galaxy UK OpCo Limited as well as the other members of the Vialto Partners global network. The information contained in this document is for general guidance on matters of interest only. Vialto is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. All information is provided “as is”, with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, timeliness or of the results obtained from the use of this information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including, but not limited to warranties of performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event will Vialto, its related entities, or the agents or employees thereof be liable to you or anyone else for any decision made or action taken in reliance on the information in this document or for any consequential, special or similar damages, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

© 2023 Vialto Partners. All Rights Reserved.