Search Q&A
obtaining belgium residence permit with valid d type German visa and German residence permit
Good morning. I am Mohamed Asik Rahman RajaMohamed, an Indian studying Masters in Informatics currently at Technische University Darmstadt, Germany since April 2014. I have analysed, rationalized and renewed my dreams and goals for the future to excel in management studies. Upon my search for such a program, I have applied at the honorable University of Antwerp and they granted admission for Masters in Transport and Maritime Management (MTMM) under a scholarship basis for my excellence by the director and the board of ITMMA Antwerp. The study program starts by September 22nd 2014.
I have a Schengen visa which is valid until August 2015, with which one can legally travel to Belgium and also many other countries in Europe. But to obtain the residence permit in Belgium, I needed to apply at the Belgium embassy in Berlin. I have been in contact with the official person from the Belgium embassy all this while and I have submitted documents such as health certificate, admission letter, valid German residence permit, scholarship letter etc.
The problem is that to process my application, the embassy demands a blank criminal record (police clearance certificate or good conduct certificate) for the last 12 months. For your information, it is already evident that I am studying in Germany and from a very well educated and good family background by which I assure anyone that I have zero criminal records and a law abiding citizen. I obtained the "Fuhrungzeugnis" for the last 4 months from the German regional office (Rathaus) in Darmstadt. But for the 8 months remaining, I have to obtain it from India which is seemingly impossible because the Indian Government requires me to come in person to India. I don't have the money and time for it, as it will take at least 2 months even if I go there. The Indian embassy in Germany provides this certificate, but unfortunately it is not acceptable by Belgium Government which was said by the Belgian embassy official today. This is the only way as an Indian being in Germany, I could obtain the police clearance certificate.
When I contacted the Belgium embassy in Berlin regarding this issue, the only solution to this is that they forward my application (without the police clearance certificate from India) to the Ministry of Internal affairs in Belgium and it will take 2 to 4 months to approve my Belgium residence permit. I have no other option than accepting this offer.
I am really so worried because it is such a great opportunity to fulfill and enrich my knowledge from such a prodigy University. The scholarship also makes it more better for my economical problems. Please help me on my issue.
My question is will it be possible to start my study with the current visa and German residence permit in Antwerp by September 22nd 2014 and then while studying I will be able to get my residence permit from the Ministry of Internal affairs to submit to Belgian local aliens authorities. If they forward this visa application to the ministry it will be approved by latest October 2014. Will it be possible to start by September 22nd and get the residence permit after that.
I have already spoke to the Antwerp University and they directed me to the Aliens authority concerning this issue. My study program starts soon and I have to decide upon forwarding my Visa application to the Belgium Ministry of Internal affairs from the Belgium embassy, Berlin.
I have done as much as possible and even more than the extent. I dont know where to approach anymore, so I am requeswting your kind help for an aspiring student.
Please show some light and help me out on this issue.
> Please show some light and help me out on this issue.
Pay for legal advice.
With immigration stuff, nobody cares wheather you come from a good family or not. rules are rules and have to be followed. Since you already have a long stay visa D for germany, then you can actually travel to Belgium and put your visa stuff in person basing on the visa that you currently hold.
It will be easier to change your status and get a belgian residence permit by submitting the documents directly to the local Alien office in Antwerp, 'Dienst Vreemdelingenzaken'. As for the criminal record later, its asked but its not a must if you prove that you have no criminal record for the time you are in germany therefore come with a 'no criminal record certificate' from your cityhall in Germany. To begin all this process, you must have found a flat or an address where correspondences etc can be exchanged with you.
The procedure you will follow to get your residence is handled on appointment so you will need to contact the alien office and fix an appointment. You can find the contacts and information about the local Alien office in Antwerp on the link below:
http://www.antwerpen.be/eCache/ABE/82/04/671.html
If you have any questions, I might answer as long as time permits. Good luck
I don't have any knowledge of this but one other thing you can do is to call the student office at AU and ask if you can register with your German residence while waiting for the process.
