Hi Kimy,

Thank you for sharing the latest requirement for a family reunification process in Antwerp. I appreciate it! 🙂

1) In Antwerp, you need to submit 2 to 3 times proof of relationship for the entire cohabitation process. I read that you have emailed your relationship proof once. Bring along a USB with those submitted documents in case the staffs ask you for it next month.

If there is a new reference number or new email address to the one you received above, please resend all proof of relationship as the Gemeentehuis may overlook it. You can’t believe I have to submit a basic document like my passport for 3 times via email.

When you received your Orange Card and Bijlage 19ter on that day, the 19ter form will tell you to send the documents that they need. This time, the Gemeentehuis will send them over to the Brussels Immigration Office.

Do not print out anything. In Antwerp, they prefer you to send all documents digitally. I believe the instruction is for your information only.

2) You can ignore the statement to prove that you are living together for one year if you cannot produce it. Many of us do not have it anyway. If you can dig out the rental contract of both your names living in Manila, then this will be a useful document to submit.

3) Your partner must produce his health insurance certificate. Obtain a copy from the insurance company. Have you already submitted your 3-month insurance coverage in Belgium as well? It will be better if you can get your partner to cover your medical insurance. Read the procedure how you can do it.

4) Congratulation! Yes no doubt, on 28 Dec, you are going to receive your Orange card. Please also bring along the print-out receipt of your federal payment. Do not get frustrated. It will take about 12 months to receive your F Card from the day you declare a cohabitation. Patience is the key to slow bureaucracy.

Thank you for the reply, Miss SJ.

After 2 months of lodging our cohabitation process, I finally received the approved legal cohabitation contract. After submitting the approved contract, it took another month to get an appointment date at the city hall. My appointment is in 2 months! So much time has passed by! I am very frustrated. The appointment email said I need to bring the following docs:

– Deze uitnodiging (via uw smartphone kan u deze QR-code ook scannen aan de zuil); Email invitation on iPhone
– Nationaal paspoort; Passport
– 2 pasfoto’s; 2 passport photos (white background, 45 mm H, 35 mm W, dimension head must be between 25 and 40 mm)
– betalingsbewijs federale bijdrage (evt. rekeninguittreksel / stortingsbewijs + stempel post); proof of payment of federal contribution (possibly account statement / deposit certificate + stamp post)
– bewijs 2 jaar regelmatige ontmoetingen voorafgaand aan de aanvraag; proof of 2 years of regular meetings prior to the application
– bewijs samenwoonst 1 jaar voorafgaand aan de aanvraag; proof of cohabitation 1 year prior to the application
– verklaring van wettelijke samenwoning; declaration of legal cohabitation
– bewijs ziektekostenverzekering geldig in België voor Belg en familieleden; proof of health insurance valid in Belgium for Belgian and family members
– geregistreerd huurcontract of eigendomsakte; registered rental contract or title deed
– bewijs voldoende en regelmatige bestaansmiddelen Belg (*); proof of sufficient and regular resources Belgian (*)

I have a few questions about the requirements:

1. The requirement “bewijs 2 jaar regelmatige ontmoetingen voorafgaand aan de aanvraag; proof of 2 years of regular meetings prior to the application.”

What exactly do I need to bring? I have sent passport stamps and photos and all other digital proofs of our relationship to sah[@]stad.antwerpen.be. Do I need to print everything, or put all the files in a USB, or can I email the same to vreemdelingenzaken.info[@]stad.antwerpen.be?

2. The requirement “bewijs samenwoonst 1 jaar voorafgaand aan de aanvraag; proof of cohabitation 1 year prior to the application.”

We have only been living together in Antwerp since 01/08/2018, but we have an approved verklaring van wettelijke samenwoning since 08/10/2018. We did live together in Manila, Philippines for 1 year. What proof do they need exactly? Would you know?

3. The requirement “bewijs ziektekostenverzekering geldig in België voor Belg en familieleden; proof of health insurance valid in Belgium for Belgian and family members.”

My Belgian partner has his personal health insurance. Will this be enough? Or will they be needing something more?

4. My appointment for 28 December. Will this be the date I will obtain my Orange Card?

Hi Kimy, I received the approval via post. I emailed to the Districtshuis if I had questions for them. They always replied in a few days. I had never called them before.

How did you receive the legal cohabitation contract approved by the Municipality (Gemeentebestuur)? Did you receive the contract in the mail or via email?

We already had the police come to check our apartment last month but still no news about approval. Only received a letter in the mail 2 weeks ago about the postponement, same letter you received.

Do you know what number I can contact to get an update about the status of my legal cohabitation application?

Thanks!