Family reunification in Belgium from Cameroon
Belgium · About 38 weeks with us, as an indication: it depends on your file and on the authorities.
Family reunification lets you join a family member living legally in Belgium: spouse, partner, children. From Cameroon, the application takes the form of a D visa. The Immigration Office examines the file.
The rules were tightened by a law of 18 July 2025, in force since 18 August 2025, notably on the required income. A transitional regime applies depending on when the person in Belgium was admitted to stay.
We check with you which rules apply, prepare the civil records and the sponsor's evidence, and follow the file.
Who is it for?
- Spouse or partner of a non-EU national admitted to stay in Belgium.
- Minor children of the sponsor or the couple.
- Family of a single permit holder, who can apply at the same time.
- Family member of a Belgian national, under specific rules.
The main conditions
- A sponsor staying legally in Belgium; the rules vary with their status.
- Stable, regular and sufficient means of subsistence, at least the official threshold in force, increased for each additional family member.
- Adequate housing: a registered lease or a title deed.
- Health insurance covering the whole family in Belgium.
- Legalised civil records proving the family link.
- A medical certificate and, for adults, a criminal record certificate.
- The fees set by the authorities, including the Immigration Office contribution (see the official page).
How long does it take?
The Immigration Office has a legal time limit to decide, which can be extended in some cases: check dofi.ibz.be for the limit that applies to you.
The steps
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Checking the sponsor's conditions
Documents to prepare
- Sponsor's residence permit
- Tax assessment notice
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Proof of income
Documents to prepare
- Tax notices of the last 3 years
- Payslips
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Proof of accommodation
Documents to prepare
- Lease or title deed
- Utility bills
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Application to the authorities
Documents to prepare
- Family reunification form
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Review of the file
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Decision
Documents to prepare
- Approval certificate
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D visa for the family
Documents to prepare
- Civil status records
- Police certificate
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Arrival in Belgium
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Registration at the town hall
Documents to prepare
- Proof of accommodation
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Family residence permit
Documents to prepare
- Foreign national ID card
Fees are discussed at the appointment, depending on your situation.
What we check with you
- We first check the sponsor's status and the date they were admitted to stay: it decides whether the old or new rules apply.
- Income is at the heart of the review: contract, payslips, tax assessment notice.
- Your birth and marriage certificates must match each other and be legalised.
- A marriage celebrated in Cameroon must be recognisable in Belgium: prepare the certificate and its legalisation early.
Book an appointment for this visa All visas for Belgium
Frequently asked questions
Who can join a relative in Belgium?
The spouse or partner, and minor children, of a person staying legally in Belgium. The conditions depend on that person's status: unlimited stay, limited stay, single permit, Belgian nationality.
What changed with the 2025 law?
The law of 18 July 2025, in force since 18 August 2025, raises the required income threshold, calculated from the guaranteed minimum income and increased per family member. The old rules still apply in some cases, notably for two years if the sponsor was already staying in Belgium before that date.
Where do I apply from Cameroon?
You fill in the form on Visa On Web. You lodge the file at TLScontact, the Belgian embassy's provider in Cameroon. Check on the TLScontact website which centre accepts your type of visa.
My spouse is Belgian: is it the same procedure?
No. Family reunification with a Belgian follows its own rules, with its own income and housing conditions. We point you to the right procedure.
The sponsor holds a single permit: must my family wait?
No. The family reunification visa can be requested at the same time as the single permit visa, or within six months of its issue, if all conditions are met.
How long does it take?
The Immigration Office has a legal time limit to decide, which can be extended. A complete, consistent file avoids requests for more documents.