Belgium toughens visa policy for non-EU students

Belgium has tightened the conditions for granting and renewing student visas for non-European nationals.

New rules regarding academic progress and the renewal of residence permits for non-European students in Belgium came into force on 31/05/2026.

"International students enrich our universities, higher education institutions and economy. However, those who use their student status to extend their stay for years without making sufficient progress in their studies are abusing a system that was not designed for that purpose," Anneleen Van Bossuyt, Federal Minister for Asylum and Migration, said. "We welcome talent, but we take a firm stance against abuse," she added.

The rules that have come into force are as follows:

• Students on bachelor’s or graduate programmes must have earned at least 60 ECTS credits after two years, followed by an additional 40 ECTS credits per year, to renew their residence permit;
• Maximum study periods will be more strictly regulated for Master’s degrees, specialised Master’s degrees, certificates and PhDs;
• Repeated changes of course will be restricted: a…