The Flanders Region in Belgium has made substantial changes to its immigration policy applicable to foreign workers that will come into force on May 1, 2024.

This model prioritizes the employment of Belgian and European workers, only allowing the entry of foreign nationals into the workforce after local and regional labor markets have been fully considered.

The modifications to the Shortage Occupation and Labor Market testing frameworks aims to uphold the government’s concentric model of labor migration.

Nairametrics learns that the key changes include new work permit exemptions, Shortage occupation and labor market testing rule restrictions, and relaxed educational qualification requirements for EU Blue Card holders and intra-company transferees, among others.

Work permit exemptions to be expanded

The government plans to broaden exemptions for work permits, permitting the following activities under a business visitor status, which currently necessitate a work permit:

• Participation in conferences, seminars, business meetings, trade fairs, and exhibitions.
• Negotiation of business agreements.
• Involvement in sales, marketing, internal, and customer audits.
• Exploration of business opportunities.
• Attendance or conduct of training sessions.
• Activities related to tourism.
• Translation and interpretation services.