The Program Law of 19 December 2014 inserted in the Immigration Law a provision requiring the payment of a fee covering administrative costs for the handling of certain residence applications.

The Royal Decree of 16 February 2015, modifying the Royal Decree of 8 October 1980 relating to the access to the territory,  stay, establishment and return of the foreigners, determines the amount of the fees concerned as well as practical arrangements for collecting them:

• The basic amount of the fee, regardless of whether the application is submitted in a diplomatic or consular post abroad or directly on the territory, is 215 euros.
• A lower amount (160 euros) applies to family reunification applications  and to students' applications.
• A reduced amount (60 euros) is to be paid by long-term residents and their family members, as long as the family existed in the first Member State.
• Applications submitted by foreigners who are younger than 18 years old or handicapped single persons who are older than 18 years old are free of charge.

The payment of the fee is made directly on a bank account of the Immigration Office.

The Royal Decree of 16 February 2015 has been published on 20 February 2015. For additional information, read the Belgian Official Gazette of 20 February in attachment.