Belgium extends processing time for family reunification applications

Belgium has extended processing times for immigration for family reunification applications awaiting that the family members of third-country nationals filed for on or after 8 July 2016.

After a recent spate of family reunification applications, applications that are processed normally within six months would take nine months, as per a change in law. Fragomen Worldwide was quoted as saying that it might make immigration authorities increase twice for three months the processing time at once.

The lengthened processing times are applicable for in-country applications and visa applications of long-term family reunification filed separately from visa application of the primary applicant.

This will mean that dependents of third-country nationals who file for their long-term family reunification applications at a Belgian diplomatic post individually from visa application of the principal applicant will have to wait nine months to know the status of their visa application. At the same time, third-country nationals’ dependents in Belgium filing for their long-term family reunification applications will also have to wait nine months to know their visa status.