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Net salary
The amount of salary received in your account after taxes have been deducted
Material assistance
Providing help by giving things other than money: food, shelter, clothing, etc. This is the help that Fedasil offers to applicants for international protection when their application is being examined.
Pro-bono lawyer
A lawyer whom you do not have to pay. You can get a pro-bono lawyer under certain conditions. Applicants for international protection are entitled to a pro-bono lawyer for their asylum procedure.
CALL / CCE / RVV
Council for Alien Law Litigation. The CALL is the independent administrative court where you can appeal against a decision of the Immigration Office and the CGRS.
Constitution
The Belgian Constitution is the law that contains the basic principles of the Belgian State. It contains all fundamental rights.
CPAS / OCMW
Public Centre for Social Welfare. In certain conditions, a CPAS/OCMW provides social services to people in need. Every municipality or city in Belgium has its own CPAS/OCMW with different services.
Fedasil
The Federal Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers. The Belgian government body responsible for the reception and support of asylum seekers. This takes place in open reception centres or houses. Fedasil is also responsible for voluntary returns.
Admissibility phase
The first stage in determining whether an application meets certain formal requirements. If the application is admissible, the substance of the application will be examined (on its merits).
Asylum procedure
Procedure concerning an application for international protection. All the steps you go through to obtain international protection: filling in forms, interview(s), waiting for an answer.
Appeal
'To appeal' means that someone objects to a decision, for example of the asylum services (CGRS or Immigration office). Many asylum seekers do this when they are told that they cannot stay in Belgium.
The day you turn 18 is an important moment in your life. You are no longer an unaccompanied minor and this will have consequences for your residence procedure and for your reception in Belgium.
In addition to the asylum procedure, there is also a residence procedure specifically for unaccompanied minors. Consult with your guardian if this procedure is a good option for you.
Would you like to feel at home in Belgium and get to know our country better? Take social orientation and language classes in the region where you live.
To make telephone calls and browse the internet with your smartphone, you need a SIM card. In many places in Belgium, you have free WiFi access.
Families with young children without legal residence who are in need can request assistance from the CPAS/OCMW of their place of residence.
If you are recognised as a refugee and you do not yet have an income to rent a house and provide for yourself, you can ask for help from the CPAS/OCMW.
If you are a minor and without a father or mother in Belgium, you will be assigned a guardian.
Are you a minor (younger than 18) and did you come to Belgium without your parents or a legal guardian? Then you are considered to be an unaccompanied foreign minor.
Tap water is drinkable in Belgium. Only if there is a sign saying it is prohibited, then you cannot drink the water.
Belgium gives special attention to women applying for international protection. During the interview with the CGRS (CGRA/CGVS) it is important that you talk about the difficulties from which you, as a woman, have fled.