Belgium
Closed: spouse may not work. This route is not ranked.
Verdict
Belgium does not fit a couple who want to move together. Your spouse has no right to work while you study and cannot realistically arrive with you, because the spouse file needs your Belgian residence card first and can take 9 months.
You also need about EUR 29,500 of your own means on top of EUR 7,800 to 9,500 tuition, and the earliest start is September 2027. Belgium only works as a solo plan with a parent's Annex 32 sponsorship, with your spouse joining with work rights during the search year after you graduate. Otherwise drop it from the shortlist.
checked 14 Nov 2026 · source money plan for this route compare
- Can the spouse come
- Conditional
- Conditions
Your spouse can join you through a separate visa D for family reunification (Art. 10bis). These conditions apply to students admitted after 18 Aug 2025 (Law of 18 July 2025). (1) Both of you must be over 21 at the time of the application.
The Flemish Agency for Integration page says 21; the embassy's April 2026 checklist still mentions 18 if married before arrival, so treat 21 as the safe rule.
(2) You need stable, regular and sufficient means of at least 110% of the guaranteed minimum income, which is EUR 2,456.97 net/month for you and your spouse together (the spouse alone brings it to 110%, with a further 10% per additional dependant).
Below that amount there is only an individual needs analysis, with the burden of proof fully on you. The Flemish Agency page lists these accepted proofs for a student sponsor: a scholarship certificate, a blocked account run by the university (or a private blocked-account provider), student-job payslips (max 20 h/week), or a combination.
A family sponsor's Annex 32 is reportedly not accepted for the spouse part; this is not confirmed. (3) Adequate housing: a registered lease at your actual address. (4) Health insurance covering your spouse. (5) EUR 218 contribution plus EUR 250 visa fee. No waiting period was found for students' families.
Arriving at the same time is not realistic. The embassy's family-reunion checklist requires a copy of your Belgian residence card (front and back), the registered lease and 6 months of means proof, so you must arrive and get the A card first. The Immigration Office then has 9 months to decide (extendable twice by 3 months, max 15).
Your spouse's A card gets the same expiry date as yours. For a 1-year master's, your spouse may arrive only near the end of the programme.
- Spouse work rights
- None
- Spouse work in detail
The Flemish Agency for Integration legal site states: "Familieleden van studenten zijn echter niet vrijgesteld van een gecombineerde vergunning". Family members of students are the one family-reunification group not exempt from the combined (single) permit.
Your spouse can only work if an employer sponsors a separate combined permit under regional rules (highly-skilled salary threshold or shortage occupation). No change to this was found in 2025-2026. The same page confirms that once you graduate and hold the 12-month search year, your spouse can work freely.
- Student work hours
Max 20 hours/week during the academic year on the A card (no separate permit). There is no hourly cap during the institution's official holidays (a lecture-free week is not a holiday). After graduating, the 20 h cap continues until the student A card expires (usually 31 Oct); the student-job regime ends 30 Sept.
- First year for two
- about 45.5 lakh USD 36,500 before earnings over the 35 lakh ceiling
- checked 14 Nov 2026 · source
- Tuition in detail
Not free for non-EEA students. University of Antwerp 2026-27 (official page): EUR 1,500 + EUR 105/credit = EUR 7,800 per 60 credits for standard masters (was EUR 5,800); advanced masters differ (e.g. EUR 19,500). KU Leuven: about +20% for 2026-27 (Brussels Times, 29 June 2026).
The widely quoted figure of about EUR 9,494 per 60 credits for most KU Leuven masters comes from third parties only; the official figure is not confirmed. VUB: +EUR 400 to 1,000+. A typical 1-year (60 ECTS) business, analytics or information-management master costs about EUR 7,800 to 9,500.
The rate of the starting year stays for the programme, subject to yearly indexation; 2027-28 rates are not yet confirmed. Enrolment must be at least 54 credits to qualify for the student permit.
- Money to show in detail
Student alone: EUR 1,062 net/month for academic year 2026-27 (Royal Decree of 12 Jan 2026; base EUR 1,050, indexed every 15 February, so the 2027-28 figure will be set on 15 Feb 2027 and will be somewhat higher) = EUR 12,744 for 12 months. You show it by one of these.
(a) A blocked account: money deposited with the university, or with Studely or Ready-Study-Go International (the only private providers accepted), for the full 12 x monthly amount. (b) A scholarship certificate. (c) An Annex 32 undertaking by a guarantor.
If the guarantor is abroad, it can only be a relative up to the 3rd degree (a parent qualifies), legalised by the Belgian embassy, with employment proof, the last 3 payslips, the latest tax return and 6 months of bank statements. The guarantor income level (EUR 2,217.47 + 1,062 = EUR 3,279.47 net/month) is not confirmed.
(d) Proof of gainful activity is possible but must not cast doubt on study as the main purpose. Tuition is on top. Student with spouse: EUR 2,456.97 net/month of stable and regular means (= EUR 29,483.64 for 12 months) for the two of you together.
A blocked account, a scholarship and student-job payslips are listed as acceptable for student sponsors; an Annex 32 from family is reportedly not accepted for the spouse part. Contribution fees and visa fees are separate.
- Budget note
Rate on 14 Nov 2026: EUR 1 = USD 1.1038 = BDT 137.40.
Couple route: tuition EUR 7,800 (UAntwerp) to about 9,500 + blocked means EUR 29,484 + fees EUR 1,148 (2 x EUR 250 visa fee, EUR 251 + 218 contribution, 2 x BDT 12,325 VFS) + flights and medical/legalisation about EUR 2,000 = about EUR 40,400 to 42,100 (USD 44,600 to 46,500) that you must have in hand before travel.
The blocked money comes back monthly as living costs, but it has to exist up front, and your spouse cannot earn. Solo route: tuition EUR 7,800 + blocked EUR 12,744 + fees about EUR 590 + flight = about EUR 22,000 (USD 24,300).
Only with a parent's Annex 32 replacing the blocked account does the solo cash need drop to about EUR 11,500 to 12,000 (USD 12,700 to 13,300). First-year real cost for two (tuition + living for two + fees) is about USD 36,500, against realistic student earnings of USD 9,000 to 13,000.
- Realistic earnings
You: at 15 to 20 h/week on a student contract, roughly EUR 700 to 1,000 net/month, more in holidays (an estimate; the national minimum income is about EUR 2,230 gross/month full-time per secondary sources, not confirmed).
Your spouse: EUR 0 during the study year unless an employer sponsors a combined permit (needs about EUR 39,000 to 49,000/year salary or a shortage job), so plan on zero. English-only jobs exist mainly in Brussels, Leuven, Ghent and Antwerp (hospitality, logistics, international firms, IT); most other work needs Dutch or French.
After graduation, your data, BI and full-stack profile fits the highly-skilled route. The under-30 Flemish threshold of EUR 39,129.60 is reachable for junior IT and analytics roles.
Applying
checked 14 Nov 2026 · source- Visa
- Long-stay visa D for studies (Art. 60, Law of 15 Dec 1980), then an electronic A card "student" (limited stay) issued by the municipality
- Lands
- Early 2028 (estimate) An estimate, not a promise.
You: September 2027 (admission by about March to April 2027, visa filed May to July 2027). Your spouse: realistically early to mid 2028 or later, because the spouse file needs your Belgian residence card and registered lease first and the decision can take up to 9 months. Arriving on the same day is not realistic.
- Next intakes
- February 2027 (second semester)Deadline: Not offered: KU Leuven states it is in general not possible to start a degree in the second semester (all students start in September). Other Flemish universities are not individually confirmed.Still open: no
- September 2027 (academic year 2027-28; KU Leuven starts 22 Sept 2027), the main and only realistic intakeDeadline: KU Leuven sets the deadline per programme in its application-window tool; the exact programme dates are not confirmed. One KU Leuven programme page shows 1 March 2027 for non-EU residents. Dutch-taught programmes: 1 Feb for non-EEA applicants. Absolute last date: 22 Sept 2027. UAntwerp, UGent, VUB and UHasselt non-EEA deadlines are typically Feb to April 2027 but not confirmed. Apply by January to February 2027 to be safe.Still open: yes
- September 2028Deadline: Opens about October 2027Still open: not yet open
- Typical length
- 12 months
- Where to apply from Bangladesh
In Dhaka: Belgian Visa Application Centre (VFS Global), Borak Mehnur, 51/B, Level 7, Kemal Ataturk Avenue, Banani, Dhaka-1213; Sunday to Thursday, 9 AM to 5 PM; prior appointment mandatory (bookings opened 16 Nov 2025).
Files are handled by the Embassy of Belgium in New Delhi and decided by the Immigration Office in Brussels; you do not need to travel to Delhi to file.
Fees: visa D handling fee EUR 250 per person (non-refundable), VFS service fee BDT 12,325 per person, plus the Immigration Office contribution paid by bank transfer in EUR before filing (EUR 251 for a student at a recognised institution, EUR 218 for family reunion; valid for applications from 1 Jan 2026, re-indexed yearly, so check again in Jan 2027).
You also need: a medical certificate from the embassy-approved doctor (Green Crescent Health Services, Baridhara), police clearance (not older than 6 months), legalised civil documents including the marriage certificate, sworn translations, private health insurance, and an Annex 32 legalised by the embassy if a relative sponsors you.
Biometrics are taken at VFS. An interview is not listed as standard, but extra documents can be requested.
Visa and passport risk
checked 14 Nov 2026 · source- Risk for a Bangladesh passport
- Unconfirmed
- Why
No official Belgian approval or refusal figures for Bangladeshi student applicants could be found, and no Bangladesh-specific suspension or restriction was found.
Context only: Belgium's overall Schengen short-stay refusal rate is high (about 24 to 25%, secondary source), every student file gets an individual genuine-study and solvency assessment in Brussels, and rules for students and families were tightened in 2025-26.
Positive signs: Belgium opened a Dhaka application centre in Nov 2025 and there are active Bangladeshi student communities applying for September 2027. Treat it as medium-to-high scrutiny. Your CGPA 3.79, your IELTS 7.5 and an admission from a recognised public university are strong on the academic side; the money proof is the weak point.
- Visa processing time
Student visa D: the Immigration Office decides within 90 days of a complete file (stated on the Flemish Agency legal page). Simple files are often faster, but no Dhaka-specific figure exists (the Dhaka centre only opened 16 Nov 2025).
Spouse family-reunification visa D: decision within 9 months of filing, extendable twice by 3 months (max 15 months).
- checked 14 Nov 2026 · source
- Hassle
- 8 out of 10 10 is the most hassle. This site's rating, not a checked fact.
After the degree and PR
no single source · see all sources- Work after the degree
Search year (zoekjaar): one residence permit of max 12 months, not renewable, for graduates of a recognised Belgian institution. Apply at the municipality at least 15 days before your student A card expires.
It needs health insurance and means (EUR 1,062/month for 2026 graduates, via blocked account, Annex 32 or own income; a work contract counts only if it pays at least 12 x that amount). You can work without restriction as an employee once the search-year A card is issued (self-employment needs a professional card).
The Immigration Office may check after 3 months that you have a real chance of work. Family members can stay if the means cover them, and the spouse of a search-year holder can work. A job then requires the employer to obtain a combined permit.
The highly-skilled thresholds currently applied are Flanders EUR 48,912 gross/year (EUR 39,129.60 if under
30) and Brussels EUR 3,703.44 gross/month (about EUR 44,441/year); Wallonia is not confirmed. Flanders charges its own fee for combined permits from 1 Sept 2026.
- no single source · see all sources
- PR route
1-year master (student A card), then up to a 12-month search year, then a job with a combined permit (A card as worker). After that there are two routes.
(a) EU long-term resident status (L card) after 5 years of continuous legal stay, where student time counts for half and the search year counts in full, and you must not be on student or search-year status when applying (means test 2026: EUR 1,064/month + EUR 355 per dependant, health insurance, clean record).
(b) Unlimited stay (B card) after 5 years of work under a combined permit. Then Belgian nationality by declaration: 5 years of uninterrupted legal residence (A-card years count), an unlimited-stay card at the time of declaration, language A2, proof of social integration, and economic participation (468 working days in the last 5 years).
- Language for PR
No language or integration test is stated for the L or B card itself. Belgian nationality currently requires level A2 in Dutch, French or German (official legal-information page). A rise to B1 plus a citizenship test has been announced politically but is not shown as enacted.
Recent rule changes
checked 14 Nov 2026 · source- 2025 and 2026
(1) Law of 18 July 2025, in force 18 Aug 2025: family-reunification means test raised to 110% of the guaranteed minimum income (EUR 2,456.97 net/month, +10% per extra dependant), burden of proof on the applicant, minimum age 21 for spouses of third-country sponsors, new waiting periods for some other sponsor categories (none found for students).
Constitutional Court judgment 24/2026 (26 Feb 2026) suspended parts of it only for families of subsidiary-protection holders, so there is no relief for students' spouses. (2) Royal Decree 12 Jan 2026: student means amount raised from EUR 835 to EUR 1,050 base, EUR 1,062 for 2026-27, indexed each 15 February (next: 15 Feb 2027).
(3) Royal Decree 7 May 2026 (from 2026-27): stricter study-progress rules for permit renewal (a 60-credit master must be completed within 2 years; limits on switching). (4) Non-EEA tuition raised for 2026-27 at Flemish universities (UAntwerp 5,800 to 7,800; KU Leuven about +20%; VUB +400 to 1,000+).
(5) Visa D handling fee EUR 250; contribution fees from 1 Jan 2026: student 251, family 218. (6) Belgian visa centre opened in Dhaka 16 Nov 2025. (7) Flanders: tighter labour-migration rules from 1 Jan 2026 and a regional combined-permit fee from 1 Sept 2026.
(8) New appeal procedure rules at the Council for Alien Law Litigation from 19 June 2026. (9) Nationality registration fee raised to about EUR 1,000 (EMN, not confirmed).
- Corrected in this check
- Spouse arrival: applying at the same time is not realistic. The embassy checklist requires a copy of your Belgian residence card and registered lease, so you must arrive first; the decision term is 9 months, extendable to 15.
- Spouse age: the Agency page says both must be over 21 for sponsors admitted after 18 Aug 2025.
- Means for the spouse: the Agency page lists a scholarship, a blocked account and student-job payslips as accepted proofs for a student sponsor. EUR 2,456.97 is the total for student and spouse, and the +10% applies only to additional dependants.
- Constitutional Court judgment 24/2026 only concerns families of subsidiary-protection holders, not student families.
- Search year: a job contract counts as means only at 12 x the monthly amount, there is a check after 3 months, and unrestricted work starts when the search-year card is issued.
- Salary thresholds: Flanders EUR 48,912 (under 30: EUR 39,129.60) and Brussels EUR 3,703.44/month, from the Agency page; Wallonia is not confirmed.
- PR route: the search year counts in full toward the L card, student time counts half, the L card cannot be requested while on student or search-year status, and the B card comes after 5 years of work under a combined permit.
- Nationality: A-card years count toward the 5 years and A2 is the current language level; 468 working days are also required.
- Intakes: February 2027 is a firm no for KU Leuven (official statement that degree students start only in September); the academic year starts 22 Sept 2027; deadlines shown are those on official pages.
- Upfront cash for a couple is USD 44,600, because the couple route needs the EUR 29,484 blocked means on top of tuition, fees and flights; the solo figure with a parent sponsor (about USD 13,000) is given in the budget note.
- Proof of funds for a couple: 12 x 2,456.97 = EUR 29,483.64 = USD 32,545 (rounded to 32,550).
- Proof of funds: the amount is indexed every 15 February, so the 2027-28 amount will differ from EUR 1,062.
- Other 2025-26 changes included: the Royal Decree of 12 Jan 2026 as the source of the new student amount, Flemish labour-migration tightening and combined-permit fee, new appeal rules from 19 June 2026, and the minimum 54-credit enrolment.
- Bangladesh note: an interview is not listed as standard; the risk stays unconfirmed.
Not verified
unverified- The Immigration Office (dofi.ibz.be) pages on student means, family means, Annex 32 and contribution fees. Their content is confirmed indirectly through the Flemish Agency for Integration legal site and Belgian embassy PDFs.
- Whether an Annex 32 from a family member is truly excluded for the spouse part, and whether a blocked account is accepted in practice for students admitted after 18 Aug 2025 (the Agency page lists it under the older regime).
- Annex 32 guarantor income level (EUR 2,217.47 + 1,062 = EUR 3,279.47 net/month).
- Student means amount for 2027-28 (set on 15 Feb 2027) and contribution fees for 2027 (re-indexed 1 Jan 2027); the family reference amount may also be re-indexed.
- Minimum age for the spouse: the Agency page says both over 21 after 18 Aug 2025; the embassy checklist (April 2026) still says 18 if married before arrival.
- KU Leuven official 2026-27 and 2027-28 non-EEA tuition (about EUR 9,494 is third-party) and exact programme deadlines; UGent, VUB, UAntwerp and UHasselt 2027-28 deadlines and fees; whether any Flemish or French-community university admits new non-EEA students in February.
- Belgium's approval and refusal rate for Bangladeshi student applicants; real Dhaka processing times; whether an interview is standard.
- Wallonia salary threshold; national minimum wage figure; amount of the Flemish combined-permit fee.
- Whether a B1 language level or citizenship test for nationality has been enacted (the official page still shows A2); nationality registration fee amount.
- Living cost for a couple (USD 24,000/yr), first-year total and upfront cash are estimates, not official couple figures.
- The minimum of 6 years to permanent residence and 7 years to citizenship are calculated estimates (the student year counts half for the L card; nationality needs 468 working days and an unlimited-stay card first).
Confidence in this page: Medium.
Programmes
0 in the programme listSources
29 official pagesFamily members of students are not exempt from a combined permit (cannot work freely); family of a search-year holder can work
www.vreemdelingenrecht.be/werk/heb-je-recht-om-te-werken/heb-je-recht-om-te-werken-met-je-verblijfsstatuut/recht-om-te-werken-verblijfsstatuut/werken-binnen-reguliere-migratie/werken-bij-gezinsherenigingSpouse of third-country student: both over 21, means 110% GGMMI = EUR 2,456.97 net/month (+10% per extra dependant), accepted proofs for a student sponsor, housing, insurance
www.vreemdelingenrecht.be/voorwaarden-gezinshereniging-echtgenoot-5Family reunification from abroad (Art. 10bis): decision within 9 months, extendable 2 x 3 months; A card with same validity as sponsor's
www.vreemdelingenrecht.be/procedure-gezinshereniging-het-buitenland-artLaw of 18 July 2025 changes (age 21, 110% GGMMI, waiting periods, transitional rules to 18 Aug 2027, Constitutional Court 24/2026 suspension limited to subsidiary protection)
www.vreemdelingenrecht.be/nieuws/gezinshereniging-diverse-wijzigingenEmbassy checklist, visa D family reunion with non-EU spouse: copy of sponsor's residence card, registered lease, 6 months means proof, insurance, age 21
india.diplomatie.belgium.be/sites/default/files/2026-04/Visa%20D%20for%20family%20reunion%20with%20non-EU%20spouse%20%28art.%2010%2610bis%29%20%282%29.pdfEmbassy checklist, student visa D: solvency options (scholarship, university bank transfer, Annex 32 by relative up to 3rd degree with payslips, tax return, 6 months statements), insurance, medical certificate, police clearance
india.diplomatie.belgium.be/sites/default/files/2026-05/Visa%20D%20for%20Students.pdfStudent conditions: EUR 1,062/month for 2026-27 (835 for 2025-26), blocked account only via Studely or Ready-Study-Go, min 54 credits, decision within 90 days
www.vreemdelingenrecht.be/verblijfsrecht/reguliere-migratie/student/derdelands-student/voorwaarden-en-procedure-derdelands-studentRoyal Decree 12 Jan 2026: base EUR 1,050, EUR 1,062 for 2026-27, indexed every 15 February
www.vreemdelingenrecht.be/nieuws/nieuw-minimum-referentiebedrag-met-jaarlijkseContribution fees for applications from 1 Jan 2026: student at recognised institution EUR 251, family reunion EUR 218
japan.diplomatie.belgium.be/sites/default/files/2026-01/Administrative%20fee.pdfDhaka visa application centre (VFS, Banani), appointment mandatory since 16 Nov 2025, visa D fee EUR 250, VFS fee BDT 12,325, approved doctor, New Delhi embassy contact
india.diplomatie.belgium.be/en/travel-belgium/visa-belgium/visa-belgium-if-you-live-bangladeshStudent work: max 20 h/week in academic year, unlimited in official holidays
www.vreemdelingenrecht.be/werk/heb-je-recht-om-te-werken/heb-je-recht-om-te-werken-met-je-verblijfsstatuut/recht-om-te-werken-verblijfsstatuut/werken-binnen-reguliere-migratie/werken-als-derdelands-studentSearch year: max 12 months, not renewable, EUR 1,062/month for 2026 graduates, unrestricted labour-market access, check after 3 months
www.vreemdelingenrecht.be/verblijfsrecht/reguliere-migratie/zoekjaar/zoekjaar-voor-afgestudeerde-derdelands-studentenSearch year: apply 15 days before card expires; family members' stay depends on your means
leuven.be/en/search-yearRoyal Decree 7 May 2026: stricter study-progress rules from 2026-27
www.vreemdelingenrecht.be/nieuws/verstrenging-voorwaarde-van-voldoendeL card: 5 years, student stay counts half, search year counts fully, cannot apply while student or search-year; 2026 means EUR 1,064 + 355 per dependant
www.vreemdelingenrecht.be/verblijfsrecht/onvoorwaardelijk-verblijfsrecht-na-5-jaar/langdurig-ingezeten-derdelander-d-l-kaartB card for labour migrants after 5 years of work under a combined permit
www.vreemdelingenrecht.be/verblijfsrecht/onvoorwaardelijk-verblijfsrecht-na-5-jaar/verblijfsrecht-onbeperkte-duur-b-kaartNationality declaration after 5 years: unlimited-stay card at declaration, A2 language, integration, 468 working days
www.vreemdelingenrecht.be/nationaliteit/wie-kan-belg-worden/welke-meerderjarigen-kunnen-belg-wordenA-card years count toward the 5 years of legal residence for nationality; unlimited-stay card needed at declaration
www.vreemdelingenrecht.be/nationaliteit/belangrijke-begrippen-belgische-nationaliteit/wettelijk-verblijf-en-hoofdverblijfplaats-hetNationality language level is A2
www.vreemdelingenrecht.be/nationaliteit/belangrijke-begrippen-belgische-nationaliteit/taalkennisHighly-skilled salary thresholds applied in 2026: Flanders EUR 48,912 (under 30: EUR 39,129.60); Brussels EUR 3,703.44/month
www.vreemdelingenrecht.be/nieuws/loonnormen-voor-arbeidsmigratieFlanders labour-migration changes from 1 Jan 2026 and regional combined-permit fee
www.vreemdelingenrecht.be/nieuws/wijzigingen-vlaams-arbeidsmarktbeleid-vanaf-1UAntwerp 2026-27 non-EEA master tuition EUR 1,500 + 105/credit = EUR 7,800 per 60 credits
www.uantwerpen.be/en/study/admission-and-enrolment/enrolment/tuition-fees/tuition-fees-2026-2027/Flemish universities raise non-EU fees (UAntwerp 5,800 -> 7,800, KU Leuven about +20%, VUB +400 to 1,000+)
www.brusselstimes.com/2208826/flemish-universities-raise-tuition-fees-for-non-eu-studentsKU Leuven: no second-semester start for degree students; deadlines per programme; final registration date 22 Sept 2027; Dutch-taught non-EEA deadline 1 Feb
www.kuleuven.be/english/apply/application-instructions/apply-to-kuleuvenKU Leuven academic year 2027-28 starts 22 September 2027 (application window tool)
icts.kuleuven.be/apps/tuitionfees/application-windowsExample KU Leuven programme deadline for 2027-28: 1 March 2027 for non-EU residents
set.kuleuven.be/rlicc/07_apply/251_page/applicationKU Leuven Master of Information Management: 60 ECTS, 1 year, English, fee via calculator
onderwijsaanbod.kuleuven.be/opleidingen/e/SC_51017076/diploma_omschrijvingImmigration Office pages on student means, family means and Annex 32
dofi.ibz.be/en/stable-regular-and-adequate-means-subsistenceExchange rate EUR 1 = USD 1.1038 = BDT 137.40
open.er-api.com/v6/latest/EUR