Frequently Asked Questions
Clear, transparent answers about working, living, earning, and progressing legally in Belgium. Everything you need to know before applying.
What are the advantages of working with Care4laborindia?
- Our local recruitment team in India is always available to guide you through every stage of the application process.
- You are never on your own. Our business partner is physically based in Belgium and provides support to both workers and employers.
- Benefit from our experience since 2021 in successfully navigating Belgium's complex immigration and work permit procedures.
- We carefully assess your skills and experience before presenting opportunities, ensuring that you are matched with positions that genuinely suit your qualifications.
- We provide extensive preparation before your departure from India and practical support after your arrival in Belgium.
- We do more than help you find a job. We are committed to your long-term wellbeing, professional success, and smooth integration into Belgian society.
- We maintain close contact with both you and your employer to help ensure a positive and successful working relationship.
- Our goal is to support you in building a stable, rewarding future for yourself and your family.
Official Candidate Q&A
Click on any question below to expand the detailed official guidance.
Care4LaborIndia has been actively involved in recruiting from India for Belgian employers since January 2021, operating in close partnership with Business Connections India in Belgium.
This partnership ensures seamless support on both sides of the recruitment journey: candidate sourcing and pre-departure preparation in India, combined with comprehensive employer, permit, and integration support in Belgium.
Rather than ending our involvement once a candidate is selected, we remain fully engaged throughout the permit process, before departure, and provide ongoing support for the entire duration of their employment.
Yes. We operate strictly within the applicable legal employment and migration frameworks.
For workers who require a Belgian Single Permit, Business Connections India guides both the employer and the worker through the administrative process and documentation requirements.
We do not facilitate undocumented employment, irregular migration or misleading recruitment practices under any circumstances.
Our selection process begins with the employer's specific vacancy, not with a generic candidate database. We define the exact skills and experience required, source potential candidates through our network in India, screen their backgrounds and documentation, and organise interviews and technical assessments where appropriate.
Only fully shortlisted candidates are presented to the employer. The final hiring decision always remains entirely with the employer, typically following direct online interviews.
International recruitment only truly succeeds when the worker settles and functions well in his new environment.
Business Connections India therefore remains available to provide hands-on, practical support after arrival. This includes municipal registration, administrative guidance, orientation to daily life in Belgium, workplace adaptation and communication support whenever needed.
Driven by 27 years of regular travel to India (totaling over 6 years on the ground), BCI founder Peter Kupers provides a profound understanding of Indian culture alongside an intimate knowledge of the Belgian corporate landscape.
It is vital that candidates completely understand their employment conditions before leaving India. Our pre-departure preparation focuses on establishing clear expectations regarding the job role, contract, salary, working conditions and the practical realities of living and working in Belgium.
All partnering employers comply fully with applicable Belgian employment legislation. Furthermore, workers can easily contact staff of BCI if any questions or problems arise after their arrival.
- • Annual Employment Contract: You will receive an initial one-year employment contract, which can be renewed annually after a positive evaluation. The entire renewal process will be fully managed by Business Connections India (BCI) in Belgium.
- • Four-Year Employer Commitment: During your first four years of employment in Belgium, your right to work is directly linked to the specific employer named on your Single Permit. Workers are legally tied to their sponsoring employer during this initial four-year period and cannot switch companies.
- • Competitive Financial Rewards: You will earn a competitive salary that is significantly higher than the average compensation available for similar roles in India, helping to elevate the quality of life for both yourself and your family.
- • Equal Employment Standards: You will receive the exact same salary, legal protections and employment conditions as Belgian citizens performing the same job. This guarantees full compliance with Belgian labour laws, collective bargaining agreements and standard statutory salary scales. All terms will be clearly outlined in a bilingual employment contract provided in both English and Dutch.
- • Long-Term Career Acceleration: The professional experience and advanced technical skills you acquire in Belgium will significantly enhance your qualifications. This will strengthen your long-term career prospects, whether you ultimately choose to remain in Europe or return home to India.
You should have at least a basic level of English. For some positions, fluent English is required, while for others, a basic working knowledge of English is sufficient.
The following are provided:
- • Insurance covering work-related accidents.
- • Safety shoes, work clothing, and any necessary protective equipment required for your job.
Costs to be paid by the candidate before coming to Belgium:
- • Costs associated with obtaining the required police clearance certificate and medical certificate.
- • Fees for applying for a long-term visa for Belgium.
- • Travel expenses to Belgium.
Costs to be paid by the candidate in Belgium:
You will initially live in rented accommodation arranged through the employer. The cost of the accommodation remains the responsibility of the candidate. After a short period, and once your permanent employment contract is in place, the tenancy agreement will normally be transferred into your own name.
The following expenses are the responsibility of the candidate:
- • Rent for your accommodation.
- • A Belgian bank account and bank card, into which your salary will be paid.
- • Water, gas, and electricity costs.
- • Daily living expenses, including food, beverages and medication.
- • Internet costs.
- • Health insurance contributions.
Under Belgian employment law, the employment contract must state the gross hourly wage, not the net hourly wage.
The gross hourly wage depends on the sector in which you will be employed, such as construction, metalworking, or another industry.
The net salary you receive may vary depending on your personal and family circumstances, such as whether you are married and whether you have dependent children.
Estimated Gross Hourly Wages:
- • Construction sector: approximately €19.82 gross per hour
- • Metal industry: approximately €17.12 gross per hour
Working hours:
Standard working hours are generally 8 hours per day, Monday to Friday. Travel time between your accommodation and the work site is usually not included in these working hours unless otherwise stipulated by law or collective labour agreements.
The number of paid holiday days to which a worker is entitled is calculated annually based on the number of days worked and other qualifying periods during the previous holiday reference year, in accordance with Belgian employment legislation.
All workers receive practical on-the-job training when they start employment. If, after a reasonable training period, a worker is unable to meet the required standards for the position, the employment contract may be terminated.
As the right to work and reside in Belgium is linked to employment, the worker's work authorisation and residence permit may also come to an end. In such circumstances, the worker may be required to return to India in accordance with Belgian immigration regulations.
If a worker chooses to resign during the first year of employment, any financial obligations will be governed by Belgian labour law, the employment contract, and any legally valid agreements between the worker and the employer.
Where permitted by law, certain recruitment, immigration, or relocation costs may be recoverable. Any such arrangements must be clearly documented, transparent, and compliant with Belgian and European legislation.
Before signing any employment contract, workers are encouraged to read and fully understand all terms and conditions relating to their employment, notice periods, and any applicable reimbursement obligations.
When Indian workers come to Belgium with a Single Permit, it is important to distinguish between two different statuses:
A. Unlimited Work Authorisation:
A worker may apply for an unlimited work authorisation when they:
- • are legally residing in Belgium; and
- • have worked legally in Belgium for at least 4 years during the previous 5 years under a work permit or Single Permit.
Once granted, the worker is no longer tied to a specific employer and can work for any employer in Belgium without requiring a new Single Permit application. This is not a "green card", but it is a significant step towards long-term settlement.
B. Permanent Residence:
Under current immigration frameworks, you generally need to meet specific residency and criteria to obtain permanent residence:
- • have resided legally and continuously in Belgium for 5 years; and
- • demonstrate sufficient means of support and health insurance coverage.
After five years of legal residence, the worker may apply for permanent residence status (depending on the circumstances, this may be a Belgian permanent residence card or EU long-term resident status). Please note that Belgian authorities reserve the right to amend their immigration policies, criteria, and requirements at any time.