9bis and 9ter Regularisation in Belgium: Documents to Translate

Regularising residence in Belgium through the 9bis (humanitarian) or 9ter (medical) procedure requires assembling a comprehensive file that often contains foreign documents. The Immigration Office (DVZ / Office des Étrangers) requires sworn translations of all documents not drafted in French, Dutch or German. TranslateBE translates your complete file with a quote within 1 hour and express delivery in 24 hours.

Difference between 9bis and 9ter: conditions and target groups

Both regularisation procedures — 9bis and 9ter — are enshrined in the Act of 15 December 1980 on access to the territory, residence, establishment and removal of foreign nationals, but they address different populations and rest on different legal grounds.

Article 9bis (humanitarian regularisation) allows a foreign national in irregular or precarious residence to apply for a residence permit on grounds of exceptional circumstances. The most frequently invoked grounds are: lasting integration in Belgium (long residence, family ties, school-age children), the impossibility of returning to the country of origin (absence of identity documents, security situation), or humanitarian reasons in the broad sense.

Article 9ter (medical regularisation) applies to foreign nationals in irregular residence who suffer from a serious illness for which adequate treatment is not available in their country of origin. The application must be supported by a medical certificate from a Belgian physician and an opinion from the DVZ's medical officer confirming the severity of the condition.

Documents common to both procedures requiring translation

Regardless of the chosen procedure, certain core documents must be translated by a sworn translator registered in the NRJE:

• Birth certificate: full extract with all marginal annotations, for the applicant and family members included in the application.
• Criminal record extract: issued by the country of origin. Some countries issue this document solely in the local language — sworn translation mandatory.
• Proof of residence in Belgium: utility bills, rental agreements, children's school certificates, bank statements — if these documents are in a foreign language, they must be translated.
• Marriage certificate (where applicable): if the applicant invokes family ties in Belgium.
• Foreign court judgments or administrative decisions: if the personal situation is documented by foreign judicial decisions.

Specific documents for 9ter: medical file requiring translation

The 9ter procedure imposes particularly strict medical documentary requirements. The medical file must demonstrate the severity of the pathology and the inaccessibility of treatment in the country of origin. The following documents must be translated if drafted in a foreign language:

• Foreign medical reports and hospital records: medical history established in the country of origin.
• Foreign prescriptions and medical orders: to document the ongoing treatment.
• Certificates from foreign specialist physicians: attesting to the pathology and its progression.
• Documents on the availability of treatment in the country of origin: WHO reports, medical NGO attestations — if in a foreign language, translation required.

Translating medical documents requires not only command of both languages, but also knowledge of medical terminology. TranslateBE uses NRJE-registered translators specialising in medical translation to guarantee terminological accuracy — indispensable for this type of file.

DVZ timelines and appeals before the Council for Alien Law Litigation

Processing times for 9bis and 9ter applications at the DVZ vary considerably. In practice, expect between 6 months and several years for a final decision, depending on the complexity of the file and the administration's workload. While the application is being examined, the applicant may receive an Annex 35 (certificate of lodging an application).

In the event of a negative decision by the DVZ, an appeal may be lodged before the Council for Alien Law Litigation (CALL / RvV / CCE) within 30 days. If the CALL upholds the refusal, an administrative cassation appeal is possible before the Council of State. At every stage of the procedure, foreign documents produced must be accompanied by their sworn translations.