Expat Q&A: Navigating the recognition of diplomas in Belgium

If you're new to the country, understanding how to gain recognition of your existing qualifications and skills in order to find work in Belgium, or to undertake further study, is no easy task.

The Expat Welcome Desk has asked the experts of Bon, one of the Brussels agency for newcomers (as well as Bapa for the French-speaking part), to summarise the process of gaining an official recognition of a foreign diploma. Why is a diploma recognition important, who is competent, which support can Bon offer? Anke and Jane explain it all in this article. Many thanks to them!

What do we mean by Diploma Recognition and is this the same thing as “equivalence”?

A recognition certificate is a document that determines the value of studies that you followed abroad. This certificate is issued after going through a formal process.

We prefer to talk about recognition rather than equivalence because we’re usually not comparing like with like, but you’ll hear both terms used.

Why might I need official recognition of my diploma?

Recognition is usually required for jobs in the public sector. You may also need recognition of your diploma/degree to exercise some “regulated professions” eg dentists, doctors, nurses, architects or lawyers.

It’s also likely that you’ll be asked to supply your recognition certificate when applying to study or follow vocational training programmes.

This is Belgium, so naturally there is more than one system and organisation involved!

NARIC-Vlaanderen is the official body that decides on your diploma recognition within the Dutch speaking community. Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles is responsible for the Diploma Recognition process for the French-language community.

Because Brussels is bilingual, you may want to apply for recognition with NARIC or with FWB or with both! This depends on the organisation you want to work for, or study with and within which language community you want to develop professionally. Their requirements and processes are slightly different and it may be easier to get recognition from one system than the other, depending for example on your professional field.

What is Bon and how can we help?

Bon is the welcome bureau for newcomers to Brussels. We are part of a wider organisation – the Flemish Integration Agency – providing orientation courses about daily life in Belgium and your rights, along with an introduction to the Dutch language and individual coaching and guidance. We are also happy to welcome “oldcomers” who have been in Belgium a bit longer!

Our Diploma Recognition teams have particular expertise in navigating the systems of both NARIC and Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles and work with participants signed up for the integration programme, as well as jobseekers registered with Actiris, the regional employment office.

It is possible to apply for recognition of your Diploma directly, but our experience is that the system is complicated and time-consuming and that you can really benefit from being guided through the process by an expert.

What does our service provide?

Our advisors will sit down with you to discuss what diplomas you have from abroad, your goals and whether diploma recognition is relevant and achievable in your particular case.

We will help you to identify the necessary documents, compile and submit your file.

We will guide you through the process from start to finish, including mediation if the initial response is negative, and help you to understand the decision.

We also run information sessions about Diploma Recognition.

Even if you have already submitted your file and you are stuck, you are very welcome to ask for help!

Good to know

The service at Bon is free but you need to be signed up either for our integration programme or as a jobseeker with Actiris (with an official address in Brussels).

It is possible to apply for recognition with NARIC (Dutch language) or Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, or both, depending on which language community you want to develop your academic/professional career within.

The NARIC procedure is free of charge for jobseekers enrolled with Actiris or people participating in Bon’s integration courses. The FWB procedure (higher education) is free of charge only for recognised refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary and temporary protection and the FWB procedure (primary/secondary education) is free of charge for beneficiaries of temporary protection. The cost of the procedure depends on your diploma and country of origin. For more information, please visit our website mydiploma.be.

Although in some cases the procedure itself is free, you might have to pay for a sworn translation of your diploma/transcript. Luckily, English is accepted by both NARIC and FWB, so if your documents are in English, no sworn translation is needed!

There are different types of recognition, depending on whether you need recognition of the level of studies (eg a High School Diploma or a Master) or a more specific recognition for your professional field. The procedure for specific recognitions is long, you need more documents, and it is only meant for regulated professions.

You can also join the integration programme at Bon if you aren’t looking for Diploma Recognition.

More information and how to contact BON

www.bon.be/diploma

www.mydiploma.be

diploma@bon.be

info@bon.be (for enquiries about our integration programme)

More information on the civic integration programmes in Brussels

https://bewelcome.brussels/en/welkom/

The Expat Welcome Desk is a free service that advises internationals on the practicalities of daily life in the Belgian capital, from accommodation and residence permits to employment rights and taxation, among a number of topics.