Are you a student in Belgium and your A card is about to expire? Don't panic. Renewing your student residence permit is a mandatory but well-defined procedure. However, be careful: the procedures may vary from one municipality to another. Here is a complete point on what you need to prepare, and what changes depending on whether you are in Brussels, Liège, Namur or elsewhere.
As a foreign student, your residence permit is the key to continuing your studies, working part-time and benefiting from social benefits. If you let it expire, you immediately lose your right of residence and face administrative sanctions.
The right reflex: file your renewal request 2 to 3 months before the expiration date on your current card. Each municipality (Brussels, Liège, Namur...) sets an ideal deadline for receiving your complete file; inquire directly with the population service.
What you risk if you are late:
Regardless of where you live, you will need to prove that you still meet the following conditions:
Effective enrollment in a recognized institution for the current academic year
Where to apply?
At the municipal administration (population service or foreign services) of your municipality of residence: Ixelles, Saint-Gilles, Brussels-City, Schaerbeek, etc.
Practical modalities:
Mandatory appointment, to be taken online via IRISbox or directly on the municipality's website
Documents generally requested:
Current A card
Deadlines:
Treatment may take 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the time of year.
Where to apply?
At the Liège City Hall — Population Department — Foreigners Section.
Where: Department Population—Foreigners (Place Delcour 1).
Modalities:
Appointment booking recommended
Documents to be provided:
Copy of your current residence card
Liège strictly applies the academic progress rule. Repeating without justification may result in a refusal or a warning.
Where to apply?
Namur municipal administration — Foreign Services
Where: Population House (Rue de Fer 106).
Specificities:
Appointment possible by phone or via the official website
The procedures are similar but some smaller municipalities are more flexible.
Louvain-la-Neuve : faster, but always very attentive to validated credits
Mons and Charleroi : be sure to provide your proof of housing, some municipalities require a certificate signed by the owner
Gand, Anvers (Flanders) : procedures sometimes different depending on the linguistic region (Dutch); deadlines may be shorter, but the rules remain strict
Here is the checklist of the documents to provide for your joint appointment:
Valid identity card or passport (valid + 6 months)
Practical tips:
Scan your documents into a clear PDF (< 5 MB)
Common pitfalls:
Forget the invitation or sign it
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