Residence Permit Extension

The following documents are required for residence permit extension applications:   

1. a completed, signed and dated information sheet for extension 
   (If you have moved, please update your address with the city. This can be done at the same time.)

2. proof of sufficient means of subsistence

3. a Standard form residence permit for the new academic year 2026-2027 (name in Dutch: Model van Standaardformulier). This is the only document that will be accepted by the immigration office as proof of student enrolment.
   Download it from SisA (Documents > Standard form residence permit) after re-enrolling and adding your course programme. Your standard form should reflect enrolment of at least 54 ECTS in the new academic year, unless you are in a graduation year or if you are a phd student. It should also mention enrolment for 54 ECTS in the past academic year.

4. proof of valid public or private health insurance for Belgium. 
   In case of a Belgian health insurance provider the document is called ‘verklaring van lidmaatschap’. 

5. a colour copy of your valid passport   

6. a colour copy of your current and valid residence card   

7. only for Bachelor, Master and Postgraduate students: a transcript of records. 
   This is a document with your official study results. You can request it at your faculty or departmental student administration. Make sure to have it signed and stamped.
   Important: in case you have missed exams (e.g. sickness, etc.) you should add proof thereof (such as sickness note, etc.) and/or give a clear statement of the reasons why you missed them (see title 'Exam abssences' below).

Step 1: Gather your documents
Scan each document (not each page) as a .pdf and give each document the correct name. For example, if it is a scan of your passport, name it “passport”.   

Step 2: Submit your application through Mobility Online. (Except for Linguapolis and IOB students who should send their application file to the Linguapolis or IOB office email address). 
Use this link to start up your application for the residence permit extension. Enter your UAntwerp username and password to login. After filling out the form, you will receive an automatic email to complete your application in Mobility Online. Make sure to complete all steps.

Step 3: The university will check your application  
If anything is missing, we will contact you to request more information.
If your application is complete, you will receive a confirmation email that your file has been forwarded to the Immigration Office for further processing.   

Step 4: Request your new residence card (1st appointment) 
Once your file has been approved by the immigration office, the university will make an appointment for you at GATE 15 to order your new residence card (A card). You will be notified about your appointment by email. 

Make sure to bring following documents to your appointment: 

• your passport 

• your current Belgian residence card (A-card) 

• a bank card to pay (cash is not accepted) 

• a photo can be taken at the immigration office. If you would rather bring your own: 1 passport size photo with a white background. 

At the appointment you will receive a new (second) appointment to pick up your residence card. 

Step 5: Collect your new residence card (2nd appointment) 
You should receive a letter with your pin code by regular mail before the date of your second appointment. Make sure to take this letter, your passport, your Belgian residence card a with you to the appointment. 
If you have not received your pin codes by the time of your appointment, send an email to residencepermit@uantwerpen.be and let us know. We will request a new pin code for you that this time will be sent to GATE 15. We will book a new appointment for you to pick up the card. 

Your right of residence as a non-EEA student is always limited to the duration of your studies. The Belgian immigration service has the authority to terminate your stay in case you excessively prolong your studies. If you wish to extend your residence permit, you will need to prove you have made sufficient progress in your studies. 

The amount of credits you need to obtain depends on your programme. This information can be found on the Standard Form residence permit, that you can download from SiSa (only available in Dutch). 

Bachelor programme and Postgraduate course: 

• At least 60 credits after 2 enrolments in the programme. 

• At least 100 credits after 3 enrolments in the programme. 

• At least 140 credits after 4 enrolments in the programme. 

• After 5 enrolments in your 180-credit bachelor programme you must have obtained the degree. 

Master programme: 

• At least 60 credits after 2 enrolments in the programme (whether or not combined with a bridging or preparatory programme). 

• At least 120 credits after 3 enrolments in the programme (whether or not combined with a bridging or preparatory programme). 

• After 2 enrolments in your 60-credit master programme you must have obtained your degree. 

• After 3 enrolments in your 120-credit master programme you must have obtained your degree. 

• After 4 enrolments in your 180-credit master programme you must have obtained your degree. 

In case the master programme is combined with a bridging or preparatory programme of at least 30 credits, these terms can be extended with one year of study. 

Phd: 

• After 6 enrolments you must have obtained your phd degree. 

Note:

• To assess the number of credits, only the credits earned in the current program and the credits obtained from prior programs for which an exemption was granted in the current program are taken into account.
• If during the previous academic years the student has followed a program of a higher academic level than the program he wishes to commence, and did not successfully complete that prior higher program, the application for renewal of the authorization to reside in the capacity of student may be refused if the student, after the second or third year of his studies, has not obtained at least 100 or 140 credits respectively. Once the renewal of the authorization is granted, the maximum period within which the credits must be obtained or within which the program must be successfully completed is reduced by one year.
• The Immigration Office may terminate the authorization to reside in the capacity of student, or refuse an application for renewal of such authorization, if the student unduly extends his studies because the student wishes to commence a third field of study during the first three years of his stay and did not successfully complete the two prior fields of study. 

Important: These rules apply in addition to the existing study progress measures of the university.
To be able to re-enrol, you must therefore comply with both the university’s study progress measures and the conditions set by the Belgian immigration service. However, the Belgian immigration service will take account of any study progress monitoring measures that have been imposed if a student or the educational institution provides valid proof.

Any unauthorized absence for an exam will be officially noted on your Standard Form residence permit and may jeopardize your residence permit extension. Your application file will automatically be forwarded to the head office of immigration in Brussels for thorough review and decision.
Poor exam results will understandably put extra burden on your request for extension. Always include a detailed explanation and motivation letter to your application file.