Travelling outside EU while Citizenship application is in progress

NBM2009 New member

Member since 21 September 2023

NBM2009New member17 January 2024 13:55:19

Dear All,

I live in Brussels and I have applied for my Belgian Nationality (as a L-card holder) in December 2023. I am planning to travel outside Belgium (in fact, it's outside of EU borders) in March. I was told that the my current RP/eID (L card) will be de-activated/cancelled as soon as my Nationality application is approved.

So my worry is that, what will happen if my application is approved when I am travelling outside of Belgium/EU borders. Will it create any issues during my return to Belgium? Anyone in the forum has experienced a similar situation like this before?

Any info or suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance.

Rd Devils hooray Active member

Member since 21 September 2023

Rd Devils hoorayActive member17 January 2024 14:24:56

@NBM2009

Hey there. I had the same situation. I applied for the nationality back in Aug 2023. In December I was in S. America, and while I was there the approval of nationality came in. I came back to Belgium via the NL, and no issue. what they do is to deactivate if for online transactions, but this is still your valid IOD until you get the new one and render this one back.

Hope this help.

NBM2009 New member

Member since 21 September 2023

NBM2009New member17 January 2024 15:03:25

@Rd Devils hooray

Thank you very much for your feedback. This really helps.

Edigj Contributor

Member since 04 June 2015

EdigjContributor18 January 2024 09:14:40

195

No worries. You will not have any issue to return. Once back you can apply for ID and they will cancel your resisdence permit.

manoras New member

Member since 03 December 2023

manorasNew member18 January 2024 16:50:04

Though I didn't travel during the Citizenship processing but I expicitly asked after when I went to apply for Belgian ID card (after Citizenship approval). City hall said, you can still travel outside with the B/L card without getting the Belgian ID (as it takes couple weeks for normal processing)