Who can work as a job student?

All students can be employed as job students provided their student status is their primary status. 

Based on your status, you should take into account some conditions:

  • EEA-students (European Economic Area) and students from Switzerland
  • Non-EEA students. Working more than the allowed time might be a reason to reject an extension of the residence permit, because the main activity is not studying anymore.
  • recognised refugee or a subsidiary protected person is allowed to work as a job student, even with a temporary residence permit. Admission to employment automatically results from the specific residence situation. As soon as the temporary residence permit is renewed, the new card will mention the unlimited access to employment (“toegang arbeid: onbeperkt”).

To work as a student, you need a national number or a BIS number. 

  • You receive a national registry number with your residence permit, you will also be entitled to a tax rebate when you submit your tax return if you have a taxable income less than the maximum amount. 
  • If no national number exists, e.g. in the case of new foreign students and students from the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany and France with a so-called “annex 33” (Bijlage 33),  you will have to apply for a specific national number, called a "BIS number". This national number for foreigners (BIS) is created for you (after your registration with the university) and sent back to the university to be stored in the student database of the university. Erasmus students are not automatically issued a BIS number, they can apply for it through  the City of Antwerp. This BIS number is limited to 3 months via this process. 

Who cannot work as a job student?


  • School leavers who have registered with the Flemish Public Employment and Vocational Training Service (VDAB). However, students whose waiting period commences on 1 August may work during the months of July, August and September
  • Students without legal residence
  • Students undergoing an asylum procedure, awaiting asylum
  • Students who have been working continuously for the same employer under one or more agreements for over a year. When several consecutive agreements are entered into, with a brief pause between two agreements, this is also considered to be continuous employment. However, a student employment agreement may be signed with another employer immediately after this 12-month period.
  • Individuals on a subsistence allowance who decide to return to university. Individuals on a subsistence allowance studying as part of a personalised project for social integration may work, however
  • Students doing unpaid internships which are part of their study programmes cannot sign a student employment contract for this internship. 
  • Doctoral students with a scholarship or who are employed
  • Honorary doctoral student ( without a scholarship or wager) cannot work at the University of Antwerp as a student. 
  • Post-doctoral researchers
  • Jobseekers who are entitled to jobseeker's allowance
  • Employees who are students. This also applies to employees on leave without pay, on a career break and so on.