The Belgian Federal Government unveiled a new decree on 2 June 2026 that will oblige non-EU students to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress each year or risk losing their residence permit. From the 2026-27 academic session, students must obtain at least 45 ECTS credits—or the institution’s equivalent pass mark—to renew their visa. Those falling short will receive a single warning; repeated failure triggers mandatory departure within 30 days. Migration Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt framed the measure as part of a broader migration “recalibration”: “Belgium welcomes talent, not abuse. Genuine students who study diligently have nothing to fear, but the revolving door is closing for people who enrol, never attend classes and work illegally.” Government data show nearly 14,000 first-time study-visa applications in 2025, with fraudulent enrolments concentrated in unaccredited private colleges.
![Belgium Tightens Visa Rules for Non-EU Students, Linking Residence to Academic Progress]()
For prospective or current students unsure about navigating these tighter requirements, VisaHQ’s Belgium portal (https://www.visahq.com/belgium/) offers step-by-step guidance and online tools that simplify everything from the initial visa application to annual residence-permit renewals. Their experts monitor policy shifts in real time, helping applicants compile the right documents and stay compliant without last-minute panic.
Universities are divided. The KU Leuven board supports the crackdown, noting increasing dropout rates among third-country nationals, while the Université libre de Bruxelles warns the rule could deter top researchers from emerging markets who sometimes need more than one year to adjust linguistically. HR teams at multinational R&D centres see practical impacts: sponsored PhD candidates will require closer monitoring, and failure to renew visas could disrupt long-term research projects. The decree also raises the monthly financial means threshold from €835 to €1,062 and ends access to Brussels-Capital child benefits for foreign students—changes expected to save €18 million annually. Immigration lawyers advise corporate mobility managers to audit scholarship packages and update assignment letters to reflect the new costs. Implementation guidance will be published by the Immigration Office next week. Institutions will have to transmit students’ credit tallies electronically by 1 August each year, aligning with Belgium’s gradual shift toward fully digital residence management under the forthcoming EU Entry-Exit System.
For prospective or current students unsure about navigating these tighter requirements, VisaHQ’s Belgium portal (https://www.visahq.com/belgium/) offers step-by-step guidance and online tools that simplify everything from the initial visa application to annual residence-permit renewals. Their experts monitor policy shifts in real time, helping applicants compile the right documents and stay compliant without last-minute panic.
Universities are divided. The KU Leuven board supports the crackdown, noting increasing dropout rates among third-country nationals, while the Université libre de Bruxelles warns the rule could deter top researchers from emerging markets who sometimes need more than one year to adjust linguistically. HR teams at multinational R&D centres see practical impacts: sponsored PhD candidates will require closer monitoring, and failure to renew visas could disrupt long-term research projects. The decree also raises the monthly financial means threshold from €835 to €1,062 and ends access to Brussels-Capital child benefits for foreign students—changes expected to save €18 million annually. Immigration lawyers advise corporate mobility managers to audit scholarship packages and update assignment letters to reflect the new costs. Implementation guidance will be published by the Immigration Office next week. Institutions will have to transmit students’ credit tallies electronically by 1 August each year, aligning with Belgium’s gradual shift toward fully digital residence management under the forthcoming EU Entry-Exit System.
