Visitors of these countries must, however, be in possession of a valid national passport. Visas are not required for U.S. citizens traveling in Belgium for less than 90 days. To obtain a residence visa, it is necessary to have a working permit, which in turn is difficult to obtain. Working permits are limited to managerial positions in foreign owned companies and for people with special skills not available in Belgium. It usually takes eight to twelve months to obtain a working permit and 18 months to obtain a professional card.
Specialized lawyers situated in Belgium can assist in the process.
Americans looking for jobs in Belgium are almost never issued working permits. Belgium remains a relatively safe country and anti-American sentiment is rare. By taking reasonable precautions, visitors should enjoy an uneventful stay. However, street thefts, purse snatching and pick pocketing are occurring more frequently. The Belgian franc is the local currency.