Conditions for non-European students wishing to study in Belgium or extend their student stay have been made stricter in an effort to combat abuse of student status, without closing the door to international talent. International students will have to demonstrate more quickly that they are making genuine progress in their studies, according to a statement from the secretary of state for migration, Anneleen Van Bossuyt (N-VA). For graduate and bachelor’s programmes, at least 60 credits must have been obtained after two academic years, followed by
at least 40 additional credits per year. For master’s programmes, specialisation master’s degrees, certificates and doctorates, clearer limits have also been set regarding the maximum duration of studies. Any student who wishes to enrol in a third field of study during the first three years of their stay, while having failed to obtain a degree in the two previous fields, will be refused an extension of their residence permit. Similarly, those who, after higher education, switch to a programme at a lower academic level will
be subject to a stricter assessment. Some 400 students were denied a visa extension in 2025 because they had not earnt enough credits or had changed their field of study too often. These refusals accounted for 36% of all denied extensions. Tighter rules were therefore necessary, according to Van Bossuyt. Conditions for obtaining a visa to study at a non-accredited institution have also been tightened.
Belgium, non-European students, study visa, residence permit, student status abuse, credit requirements, Anneleen Van Bossuyt, migration secretary of state, bachelor’s programmes, master’s programmes, visa extensions