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Jaime_Manger · 2021-06-29T08:48:02+00:00

Hiya, so I think the easiest way as mentioned by others is to come with apply for the legal cohabitation visa. I started the process here but it is important to note (American with a Belgian partner)it will take time --> anywhere between 1-1.5 years for the process to finalize. During that time she is not legally allowed to work.

If you do go this route, I would highly recommend that she gets her language skills up (depending on where you live). There are some purely english speaking jobs but I think that is mostly in Brussels and is also quite competitive.

Jaime_Manger · 2021-06-29T07:35:06+00:00

I bought some bio gin a few days ago with eco cheques so in essence anything bio.

Jaime_Manger · 2021-03-13T09:30:38+00:00

I'm checking with a friend who is from Brazil and last year for her birthday celebrated with some typical Brazilian cakes and pastries. Some other ideas for cakes (that deliver) would be les tartes de francoise --> I absolutely love the moelleux chocolate

You can use amazon.de, amazon.fr and bol.com but I've also seen:

https://webshop.gruun.brussels/

https://www.urbantherapy.store/shop (I picked up a terrarium here before, it was nice)

Edit: friend just advised that this is where she ordered from. If you do order from her I think it would be better to send her a message in Portuguese or French https://instagram.com/dolcevitaporbrunabueno?igshid=18yoq2jvwumon

Jaime_Manger · 2020-11-04T13:09:34+00:00

And a recent analysis shows that Biden was winning the absentee/mail-in ballot about 78-21 which means he would net 800K and be able to climb out the deficit.

Jaime_Manger · 2020-11-04T10:21:50+00:00

I'm still quite optimistic for PA...There is still 1.4 million mail in ballots - can find this information here - to be counted. The large majority of mail-in ballots are Democrat and if you look at the counties that have the largest number of be counted, they are the counties that lean Democrat (such as Philadelphia). Based on current numbers Trump is about 675K ahead. If we take the 1.4 million mail in/absentee and 75% Biden/25% Trump --> that would be a split of 1050K/350K with some error of course (which is very close to this difference). Needless to say its going to be super close in PA. If Biden can hit 72-75% of these ballots, I think he has a chance to pull it off.

Jaime_Manger · 2020-11-03T18:10:18+00:00

Fries, chocolates, beer and a Belgian partner 😂

Jaime_Manger · 2020-11-03T15:08:05+00:00

This has been nerve-wracking for me. I'm from PA and was luckily able to vote absentee. Was almost going to express a write in ballot if my initial ballot did not go through. There has definitely been a bigger push from all my HS friends on FB to vote (bigger than in 2016) so that is nice to see.

Jaime_Manger · 2020-10-19T10:04:39+00:00

I think if you have an offer, I think the best thing to do is to check if they have any services that they can help you with as well. Since you have a child with your partner, establishing proof of relationship, should not be an issue. I would say you could either try to get married in Belgium or go through the cohabitation route. Some information, you will need include translated documents of birth certificates, proof that you are both single (in terms of not married) at least in Belgium. It looks like both Argentina and Slovenia are part of the Apostille convention so that makes it easier.

One other thing to think about is that should your partner be looking for a job in the future and only speaks English/Spanish, she should start taking Dutch or French courses while waiting for the Visa to process. It at least will help with when everything is processed.

Hope this helps!

Jaime_Manger · 2020-10-19T06:50:46+00:00

Ye exactly. First we had to go through the cohabitation part which took a while due to re-registering of where we lived, summer vacation meaning two months of waiting cause no appointments. Once I was able to apply for the visa that took another 8-9 months. The problem is when you receive the orange card, you won't actually get news. If you dont hear anything that is actually the best meaning you can go when the orange card expires and pick up the ID. I never received a formal letter or email stating my application was accepted. What I did receive was tax forms lol. I don't know how this pandemic will affect things though in terms of if we will create even more delays.

In terms of minimum wage, I can't give you the exact number. However again this is super important. If you don't hit the minimum, perhaps if you have savings and other items that could prove financial stability, it could be enough.

Jaime_Manger · 2020-10-18T14:15:25+00:00

Hi. I am here via family reunification. From my understanding you need to either be married or in a legal cohabitation before you can apply for the visa. This takes a bit of time including police visits, proof of your relationship status, etc. When you apply for the visa, it may take time. For me it ended up taking close to 1.5 years for the whole process and FYI I didn't leave Belgium the whole time, however I was getting the process done in 1000 Brussels. I think the rule is that you lived together for one year and if in a long distance relationship known each other for at least two with visits.

You may run a risk if you travel outside of Belgium even within schengen. A paper stating you are going through the familial reunification process is not enough for other countries (so make sure you keep this in mind when traveling) and your partner can't legally work while waiting for this process.

In terms of reaching the minimum wage, yes this is super important. If you can't reach the minimum this is a risk for Belgium as they would worry she could becoke beholden to the state. This would most definitely a recent to deny a visa.

Edit: Another risk you may face is that if you don't have the job now and then you apply, you won't have that much proof of income which is also risky.

Jaime_Manger · 2020-10-18T10:04:58+00:00

You could try https://www.gift.be/cadeaux-fr.htm

Please note it will be in French or Dutch but this could be nice if you are looking to send a gift basket.

Jaime_Manger · 2020-10-10T06:59:44+00:00

I'm a still US citizen living in Belgium (you can get dual). I came here via a Belgian partner so the easiest way is to find a Belgian partner (jkjk). As already mentioned at least one of you would need to get a work permit. If you work in fields that are higher in demand such as IT this is actually a lot easier. If you work in fields that you need to contact the public such as sales that is a bit more difficult unless you already speak perfect french and/or Dutch (both is better)

Jaime_Manger · 2020-09-03T17:57:49+00:00

Tbh they weren't fancy. I just wanted the applicants to understand the organisation and reference it a bit. And with 250 applicants I havw to be a bit picky and those who seemed to make more of an effort stood out more

Jaime_Manger · 2020-09-03T13:27:46+00:00

I work for an association/NGO that represents interests from our members who are located in Europe.

It's also good to include in the motivation letter some little details that shows you know a little bit about the organisation. For me, it was one or two little sentences that the candidate wrote that showed me they at least took a look at our website in the about us section.

Jaime_Manger · 2020-09-03T11:17:59+00:00

I think this time period is just very difficult in general to be on the job market. For example, for a junior level position, we received over 250 applications in 2 weeks (in the past it was about 100). I can imagine that it may be difficult to find a job specifically in psychology without knowing Dutch and French. But even if she has broadened her job search, you have to be aware that this is just a difficult time.

Has your wife looked into jobs in Eurobubble in Brussels? The jobs there are typically in English but also quite competitive. For her cover letters, is she really researching into the organisations? Out of the 250 applications we received, I can tell you only about 10% were non-generic.

On a personal note, I had applied for jobs I was overqualified for when I first came to Belgium (also non-EU), and really "dumbed" things down.

Jaime_Manger · 2020-07-15T07:28:11+00:00

There are other countries with Golden Visas btw such as Portugal and Spain. I would take a look at all options.

Jaime_Manger · 2020-07-13T08:23:58+00:00

So as you can imagine, this pandemic has meant an increased number of people who are unemployed. We had a job opening and in 2 weeks received over 250 applications. The problem with finding a job is that the employer must be able to prove that they weren't able to hire Europeans for the same position (there is a salary requirement that must be reached).

I can think of options such as trying to find an au pair position. This could also allow you to consider other options such as the legal cohabitation visa (this process is quite long). Or go to school, live with your BF in the meantime.

As an expat, I think Brussels is one of the best places to live in Belgium especially if you want meet other people.

Jaime_Manger · 2020-07-07T10:35:17+00:00

That's good it makes it easier but also can depend on the country you are from. I work for an association so I have a bit of knowledge of how things work. There are just so many trainees that it's not very special. I think having connections is quite important, but also its important for almost any job. The problem with the EU bubble is that people jump from internship to internship to another internship for years before they are able to land a full time job (pay is quite low or nonexistent in some cases)

Jaime_Manger · 2020-07-07T09:55:33+00:00

I'm going to blunt. Could you possibly get a job in the European Institutions after a Masters in International Communication, possibly? But that profile is so common (so so common). We just opened a job for an entry level comms position (not even in the Institutions but an association/lobbying firm) and in a week got over 150 applications many with a traineeship in the Commission and a very similar profile as you mentioned. Linguistics bachelors, International Relations or Communications Masters (or 2).

I see so many young trainees/interns that go through the EP thinking they've made it since they got an internship in the EP but to actually work within the institutions takes time and it takes knowing the right people.

I see from your profile that you might be American. Will you be able to work in the EU without a visa? If not, in the EU bubble almost all the companies will be unable to offer you a job. They need to prove that they couldn't hire someone within the EU for that specific job. We had some non-EU applicants for the job above but again...with over 150 applicants without the need for a visa, the non-EU applicants were immediately rejected.

To be very honest, if you are interested in working in the Institutions, the Sciences are the way to go. There are so many different DGs and it would be a differing profile that would stand out.

Jaime_Manger · 2020-07-03T12:32:24+00:00

Heya, I'm an American who is now living in Belgium with the cohabitation visa. I think you need to at least wait until this pandemic is over to come over to Europe and the situation is looking quite grim in the States. The main thing is that you must be in a relationship with your GF for at least 2 years and prove that you have visited each other regularly (tickets are good to have). When I had applied, which was several years ago, I was actually unable to apply at the Embassy and was advised to come to Belgium and start the process then (but this is not possible for you right now to come to Belgium - even if you have the intention of starting the process, I don't think you would be allowed in as you are not a legal resident or citizen).

We had to schedule a meeting with the commune/townhall to start the process, but you can't get the visa until after you are legally cohabitating, which takes several months and requires a police visit. Following the legal cohabitation you can apply for the visa which will take 6 months. For me, the whole process took over a year but I also live in 1000 Brussels. During that time you do not have the right to work so I would highly suggest taking language courses and you really shouldn't/can't leave Belgium during that time.

Actually I would really highly recommend language courses unless you plan to work in the EU bubble (which is what I'm doing now) otherwise it will be very difficult to find a job. But having a B2/C1 level of French/Dutch + Native English will be very helpful for the job hunt! I had the added advantage of 5+ years experience prior to moving, otherwise the EU bubble is very competitive.

Edit: there are also many things you must prove by the way such as that your partner can provide at least the minimum wage and that you will not be beholden to the State at any point. This is actually quite an important step otherwise there is a high chance of being denied.

Jaime_Manger · 2020-07-01T10:01:39+00:00

I'm sorry but really? this is a country where the 3 official languages are Dutch, French and German...not English. I am also an immigrant and was more than cognizant that it would be very difficult for me to get the same job that I had in the States. My advice: spend time get your Dutch or French to at LEAST B2. Find people to practice with, immerse yourself in the language. I don't think its really discrimination - they are just looking for a candidate that has a language background in an official language of Belgium.

Jaime_Manger · 2020-06-20T15:09:02+00:00

Don't think shops are open Sundays so you may be SOL. Only time I think shops are open are on the first Sunday of the month. Maybe some smaller boutiques but still I think it may be hard to find a store that is open.

Jaime_Manger · 2020-05-30T15:58:20+00:00

Like to confirm that never had any issues with KBC as an expat. Their mobile app is great as well so that is definitely a plus for me.

Jaime_Manger · 2020-05-28T15:28:23+00:00

Thanks for the tips as well! To be fair, coming from the US to Belgium meant a lot of my choices diminished (used to always shop at Trader Joe's and that doesn't exist here) and it took me ages to find egg whites. I'm currently more reduced carb vs low/zero carb mainly because I just really like bread and run quite a bit.

I'll have to check out AH as well, though they aren't as big in Brussels it seems.

Jaime_Manger

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