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You can apply L-card. While you are waiting for you L-card, and your A-card expires, you will get an annex.

@ashiseverywhere

Thanks for your response.

As far as I know, annex is for 45 days, and can be extended twice. What if L-card is not published even after extensions?

@John Deyta

This sounds almost impossible. Yeah, we all know that Belgian bureaucracy often makes decisions at the very last moment, or sometimes even a little late. However, two extensions of 45 days seem unlikely.

From what people share on forums, in 99% of cases, you will get a decision on the very last day of the waiting period.

I have read that after 5 years during the A card renewal one might be given card B. The law is from 2019 or 2020, so I hoped it might be really quick - but who knows what is in reality. In the same situation almost, and same timeline so I opt for myself option 1, will apply for L card and then in few days apply for A extension - as per experience from people in this forum.

Had same sht Option 1 you apply for L and renew A ...when renewing A they may give you B ahah its mess...

Well, this seems to be a common scenario. I wish there is a clear procedure, but every time I call the local commune I get different responses.

I hope the order of applying L and renewing A doesn't matter in this case then. In theory, it is possible to do both in the very same day.

@John Deyta

No u had to have valid RP in order to apply for L card thats it..

Hi,
My first registration was in September 2020, and I am currently have an A-card (onbeperkt), which expires in December 2025. I have lived and worked in Flanders since the start, without any gap.

My 5-year period will be completed in September 2025, so I will be eligible for L-card by then. But L-card processing takes around 6 months, during which my current A-card will expire. Which of the following options make sense to do in September 2025:


Option 1: Apply both L-card and A-card renewal at the same time --> is this legally feasible?
Option 2: Ask commune for B-card (unlimited single permit) --> should I still renew A-card for this?


Or, if you have another idea, I would love to hear it.

Thanks, J. - @John Deyta

Go with Option 1.  This is totally feasible. In my case I applied for both at the same time, but they told me I was too early to renew the A card.  But I did that 2 months later while the L card was under review.

@John Deyta

Im in same situation but 9 months in advance

Following this topic.

Let's draw the time line.

Let's say you can apply L-card on the 1st September 2025

And your A-card expires on 1st December 2025.

2025

Sep: Apply L-card (= permanent residence)

Oct:

Nov: Apply A-card (apply A-card 2 months before the expire date)

Dec: Get your A-card or annex 15(1st time)

2026:

Jan: If you did not apply for an A-card/ yet receive your A card, before or around 14 Jan, you will  get your annex 15(2nd time)

Feb:

You should have an appointment with you city hall about your application. If no reply from your permanent residence application, you can start the application for residence card.

If the city hall ask you to wait:

Mar: Around 1 Mar, get your annex 15(3nd time) if you do not have heard have decision of your L-card application*. But normally, you should, since it will have been 6 months.

April:  Your annex will be expired around 15 April! But you should get some new about your application before that! The L-card decision won't take longer than 7 months.

*Sometimes the Immigration Office grant a B card instead of a L card.

I would say go for the option 1.  Apply for the L card, and maybe renew your A card in Dec.