Belgium Investment Immigration

Investment immigration by definition is where an applicant has the opportunity to invest into the country they seek residency in, thus providing the investor with the right to gain a permanent resident status. Typically, the investment is in monetary form and must be funded into a preapproved project of the country. Most jurisdictions require that the investment must act in the sole benefit of the country’s economy. Each country adopts a different framework to follow in order to qualify for investment immigration, and so it is important to obtain reliable information with regards to the jurisdiction’s requirements.

Why Immigrate to Belgium

Belgium is considered a highly sought after location for foreign investors to gain permanent residency, in due to its European Union membership status and stable economic environment.  It is considered a prosperous country and offers bespoke tax and business opportunities to investors. In addition, it boasts an advanced financial and telecommunications system. The standard of education and health care services are good and the working conditions of Belgium are often attractive. With its strategic location within the EU, Belgium offers ease in maintaining strong business relations across the EU.

Belgium Business Investment

An applicant has the opportunity to obtain a residency permit in Belgium through a means of investment. This type of program is known as business investment and enables the applicant to live and work in Belgium.

Certain conditions must be satisfied when opting for the business investment program. These conditions include:

- Investment must be in the form of a monetary fund
- Investment must be made into a local Belgium business or project, job vacancies must be created, or the applicant can invest in a start up Belgium enterprise.

Individuals eligible to apply under the business investment program:

- Entrepreneurs
- Experienced business professionals
- Educated and Skilled professionals
- High net worth individuals willing and able to make an investment into a local Belgium business or project.

Where the applicant has resided in Belgium for a minimum period of 3 years and has invested a minimum of US$250,000 into a local Belgium community or business enterprise, the investor is eligible to obtain Belgian citizenship and a Belgium passport.

Relevant documents required include:

- Valid passport with a minimum of 12 months remaining
- 2 x complete visa application forms
- 2 x recent passport photos
- Certified medical certificate of good health
- Legal document demonstrating your sufficient funds
- A minimum of 1 character reference from a person of social standing currently residing in Belgium
- Proof that you have ties with Belgium (previous trips, property, family or other relatives)

Procedure of Establishing a New Belgium Business Enterprise

You must submit the relevant documents to the Foreign Investment Offices situated in the Region you intend to start your new enterprise. Information the Foreign Investment Offices require from you will include:

- Your investment plan

- Information on the mother company where applicable

- Information on the individual investor, for example funds, experience etc.

Once these documents have been submitted it is the responsibility of the Foreign Investment Office to approve the business start up feasibility. On approval the application for business investment will then be transferred to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, from which the investor would then be issued a residency permit. This particular residency visa is only valid for a period of 8 months but gives the investor the right to move to Belgium to establish his new business.

It is important to know that the investor must return to their domicile state on expiry of the 8 months residency visa where the investor:

- Has not established his business enterprise within the 8 months
- Has not obtained a professional license
- Has not obtained the relevant work permit

Benefits of a Belgium Residence Permit

One of the main attractions for investors obtaining a permanent residency permit is that they have the right to travel freely in Belgium and to any other EU member state, due to Belgium’s EU member status and it party to the Schengen agreement. Belgium offers many other benefits to investors, including a bespoke taxation system, low cost of living and high quality of life.

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