Spouse Visa in Belgium: All You Need to Know

Joining your loved one in Belgium is an exciting journey filled with anticipation and, admittedly, a bit of paperwork. Our article, ‘Spouse Visa in Belgium: All You Need to Know’ is your trusty companion in this adventure, providing clear, witty insights into the spouse visa process.

From application tips to essential requirements, let’s navigate these waters together and bring you closer to your significant other in the heart of Europe.

What Exactly Is A Bahrain Family Visa?

The Bahrain Family Visa, also known as the Dependant Residency Permit, is a type of visa that allows foreign people to bring their immediate family members to Bahrain for family reunification purposes. 

This visa is usually provided to expats who live or work in Bahrain and want to bring their spouse, children, and, on certain occasions, other dependent family members with them.

You may be eligible for a family visa if you are a close relative of someone who works or resides in Bahrain. 

However, you cannot apply for this visa on your own. For their employer to apply on your behalf, a Bahraini member of your immediate family must inquire. This converts the family visa to a sponsored visa.

Is There A Required Work Approval Process For Dependents?

Spouses and adult children on family or student visas are not permitted to work in the Kingdom of Bahrain unless their visas are changed from family or student to work permit. 

However, if one of the spouses wishes to work while remaining dependent on their family visa, they may apply for a Work Approval for Dependents permit and, if approved, will be awarded a work permit allowing them to work while maintaining their family permit.

Who Can Obtain A Bahrain Family Visa?

If you are an immediate family member of someone working or residing in Bahrain, you can apply for a family visa. 

What Are The Bahrain Dependent Visa Requirements?

To be eligible for a dependant visa (family visa), you, your family member, and the sponsor must meet certain specific criteria. Special conditions include the following:

  • The applicant must be registered in the system as a responsible or authorized in LMRA on the relevant Unit or CR.
  • The expatriate employee’s monthly salary must be BHD 400 or more.
  • If the employee’s family members are currently in Bahrain on a visit or another sort of visa, the visa must still be valid.
  • If the employee’s dependents are over the age of 24, the residence permit is issued and renewed immediately through the Nationality Passports and Residency Affairs (NPRA), subject to the department’s criteria and regulations.
  • Dependents with a previous personal number should include that number in the personal number field when applying for a residency visa.
  • Those born in the Kingdom of Bahrain or who have been awarded a new passport in the Kingdom of Bahrain should first open a new file (or update the data) with the Nationality Passports and Residency Affairs (NPRA).

What Documents Are Required For The Bahrain Family Visa?

Common documents required for a spouse visa application include:

  1. Valid passports of both spouses.
  2. Marriage certificate.
  3. Proof of accommodation.
  4. Sponsor’s proof of employment or financial stability.
  5. Health certificates may be required in some cases.
  6. Any other documents specified by the immigration authorities.

You must provide certain travel documentation for a Family visa application to be successful. You must send these documents to your sponsor, who will submit them during the application process. You need the following documents:

Passport: A scanned copy of your passport is required. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of departure.

Copy of your birth certificate: Please provide a copy of your birth certificate. It must be in Arabic or English and attested by the employee’s home country’s embassy in Bahrain as well as the Kingdom of Bahrain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).

Employee’s Passport: A copy of the employee’s passport from Bahrain (the family member you will be joining).

Marriage certificates: They must be in English or Arabic. The certificate must be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).

There will be no objection letter: Only children accompanying their working mother or father in Bahrain are eligible. 

The letter or certificate must be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Bahraini Embassy in the expatriate employee’s home country.

Latest paid electricity bill: This applies only to the private sector. If the electricity is not your responsibility (for example, shops in malls or electricity paid for by the landlord), you must attach a lease contract as proof.

What Is The Application Procedure For The Spouse Visa?

This is how the application procedure will look:

  1. Start the application: Log in to the LMRA EMS system and begin the process of applying for a new residency permit for the employees’ dependents. Click on the “New Work Permit” folder, then “New Expatriate Permit”.
  2. Complete the application form: Enter the essential information in the designated fields.
  3. Upload the documents: Upload the documentation the dependent provided you with.
  4. Apply: Once you submit the application an application ID will be supplied.
  5. Application confirmation: Print the application confirmation.
  6. Pay the visa fee: After getting the approval on the resident visa, pay the payments using the EMS system or contact one of the approved banks. Print the permit from the EMS system.

If the dependant you applied for lives outside of Bahrain, the employer should print the Residence Permit through the Kingdom of Bahrain’s National Portal whenever the dependant arrives. 

However, if the dependant you applied for is in Bahrain, then you will need to print the Residence Permit from the Kingdom of Bahrain’s National Portal.

What Are The Specific Conditions?

The applicant must be listed as an authorized or responsible LMRA user in the system’s relevant CR or Unit.

According to their registration with the Social Insurance Organisation (SIO), the expatriate employee’s net monthly pay must be BHD 400 or more.

If the employee’s family members are currently in the Kingdom on a visit or have another type of authorization, the permission must remain valid.

Depending on the department’s conditions and restrictions, if the employee’s dependents are over the age of 24, the residence permit is obtained and renewed directly through Nationality Passports and Residency Affairs (NPRA).

Dependents who have previously had a personal number should provide it on the residency permit application.

Those born in Bahrain or who have obtained a new passport should open a new file with Nationality Passports and Residency Affairs (NPRA) and update their details.

What Does The Process Entail?

  1. To apply for a residency permit for an employee’s dependents, follow the link to the LMRA EMS System.
  2. After you’ve selected the country’s Permit folder, select the New Expatriate Permit option. Choose the appropriate type of work visa and complete the necessary forms.
  3. After submitting your application, you will receive an application ID.
  4. The confirmation of the application should be printed.
  5. To check the application status
  •  Log on to the EMS system.
  • Contact the LMRA Contact Centre at +973 17506055.
  1. After getting approval for the new work permit, pay the fees through the EMS system or at an approved bank.
  2. Print the work permit from the EMS system.
  3. If the expatriate employee you applied for lives outside of the Kingdom of Bahrain, the employer should print the Residence Permit through the Kingdom of Bahrain’s National Portal once the expatriate arrives.
  4. If the expatriate employee you applied for lives in the Kingdom of Bahrain, you must print the Residence Permit from the Kingdom of Bahrain’s National Portal or contact 8000 8001.

Approval And Issuance

If the application is approved, the spouse visa will be issued.

The visa’s validity period and any conditions attached to it will be determined by the immigration authorities.

Special Family Visa Conditions In Bahrain

Aside from the qualifications listed above, the Bahraini authorities have specified additional conditions for anyone seeking to apply for a Bahrain family visa. 

These requirements include the applicant’s minimal income, among others. The special requirements are listed below:

The applicant must be registered as an authorized or responsible person with authority on the specific CR or Unit. The foreign employee’s monthly net income (as per SIO registration) must be BHD 400 or above.

Foreign employees must have a monthly net income of BHD 400 or more (as per SIO registration). 

If the employee’s family members are already in the Kingdom on a visit or other type of permit, the permit must be valid for at least 7 working days after application submission. 

If the employee’s dependents are over 24 years old, the residence permit is issued and renewed directly through the Nationality Passport and Residency Affairs (NPRA), depending on the conditions and regulations of the department.

To apply for a residency, permit in Bahrain, dependents with a previous personal number should enter the same number in the personal number field. 

Those born in Bahrain or with a new passport must first open a new file or update their data at the Nationality Passports and Residency Affairs (NPRA). (The newborn’s personal identification number as seen on the birth certificate).

Time To Process A Bahrain Family Visa

A Bahrain family visa usually takes 1 to 10 working days to process. It is primarily dependent on the country where you are applying for a visa.

Bahrain’s Family Visa Cost

According to Bahrain’s official LMRA portal, the cost for new applications and renewals is BHD 90.

Duration And Renewal Of The Spouse Visa 

In Bahrain, the initial spouse visa is usually valid for one year. The validity period, however, may vary based on the conditions and decisions of immigration authorities.

When a visa expires, persons can apply for a renewal by submitting updated documentation and meeting the NPRA’s requirements. 

The renewal process is generally comparable to that utilized for the first application.

Spouses On A Visa In Bahrain

Their Rights And Responsibilities 

Spouses with a visa in Bahrain are entitled to certain rights and must comply with certain obligations:

  • Residency Rights: Spouses with valid visas have the legal right to live in Bahrain for the duration of their visa.
  • Employment: Spouses may seek employment in Bahrain, provided they get the relevant work licenses from the labor market regulatory authority.
  • Services: Spouses have access to vital services such as healthcare, education, and other public amenities available to Bahrain residents.

Spouses staying in Bahrain must rigorously adhere to the country’s rules and regulations. Any infractions may result in legal action or visa cancellation.

Conclusion 

As we conclude our comprehensive guide on the Spouse Visa in Belgium, remember, the path to reuniting with your loved one might be dotted with paperwork, but it leads to a beautiful destination.

Equipped with the right information and a sprinkle of patience, you’re well on your way to starting a new chapter in Belgium. So, pack your dreams and prepare for a life filled with waffles, chocolate, and love.

Happy Reuniting!

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