The platform for Belgium's international community

Search form

menu menu
Belgium
Working
Culture
Moving
Education
Leisure
Living
Transport
Post your own »

Search Q&A

Categories

Advice & Coaching 3,141
Animal 165
Arts 84
Beauty 149
Belgium 1,175
Children 616
Culture 162
Education 394
Food & Drinks 433
Health 589
Holiday 221
Property 957
Shopping 1,015
Sport 247
Transport 682
Wellness 97
Work 661

Work in Belgium after completing masters as a NON EU person

Satyam
Nov 23, 2017
10
Question

Hey fellow members,

I am currently pursuing masters in computer science from Brussels and have been working on decent web application development projects (as a freelancer). Just curious about that possibility of getting work in Belgium or EU after completing my masters

Found this thread and according to it, it's impossible :
http://www.xpats.com/staying-belgium-after-studies

anon

I'm inclined to agree with Garfield on the quoted post. Unfortunately, you don't have many choices.

1 - find yourself a girlfriend and cohabitate legally
2 - find a job and have your employer submit a request for your permit

Have you spoken to the university, or the companies for whom you have been working as a freelance?

Nov 24, 2017 11:46
Satyam

Thanks for replying.

Point 1 doesn't goes with me.

For point 2, I have started applying for positions but some employers tell me straight that if I don't have a work permit, I shouldn't apply.

There is some minimal annual wage which is required to apply for a work permit (41000 Euros an year)

What I am not able to understand is, that if I have the skill and abilities, then why can't I be hired :/ Considering that there's a high requirement for IT people in Belgium.

The person for whom I work as a freelancer is from US and is a startup in seed stage.

Nov 24, 2017 15:25
Varun

Apply with firms Unisys Consultling, ATOS, Ordina, Harvey Nash, Computer Futures, European dynamics, Beijaflore consultancy. They do placement for IT professionals. If they have a vacancy related to your skills, they may hire you and file for your work permit. Best of luck.

Nov 24, 2017 15:57
socrate

If you manage to get a PhD student position with funding from which you will be paid, you will be in a strong position now and later.

Nov 24, 2017 19:02
J

You're already working legally as a freelancer. What's your problem?

Nov 25, 2017 10:04
Satyam

Thanks everyone for the answers.

Nov 25, 2017 12:38
crisscross

Also put your CV on Stepstone.be, LinkedIn and monster.be to be contactable by potential recruiters.

Nov 25, 2017 22:50
Satyam

Thanks again.

It happened again yesterday, I had an interview scheduled and it was cancelled the moment the HR came to know I don't have a work permit.

A quick question, I heard about European Professional Card from some friends.

Is it possible that I start with the interview process and if I have an offer then I apply for a European Professinal Card and work as a freelancer with the firm?

Will be glad if you can provide more insights on this.

Thanks

Dec 2, 2017 12:22
loisdori

Hello Satyam,

My belgian startup needs an iOS developper to build a social app. Can we talk about it?

Dec 7, 2017 18:48
Satyam

Hi Loisdori, how can we get connected?

Jan 3, 2018 19:48