We process an average of 450 applications for diploma equivalence every month. As a result, holders of a foreign diploma receive a decision that is legally equivalent to a Flemish diploma and can start working in the Flemish labour market. We do this with care, with a small team, given the impact of our decisions. In recent years, the number of applications has increased very significantly and this trend continues, partly because of the war in Ukraine, but also because of the sharp increase in the number of applications from other (non-European) countries.
Behind the scenes, we are working hard on a new processing system to handle the increasing number of applications more rapidly. This also requires additional effort from our small team.
As a result, delays in the processing of applications are possible. We would like to apologize for any inconvenience this may cause during your application process.
Anyone with a foreign diploma who wants to work in Flanders or Brussels can now apply online for its recognition in the NARIC-Vlaanderen e-portal. Thanks to a number of accompanying questions, applicants receive tailor-made advice even before they start their application.
Holders of a foreign diploma need recognition from NARIC-Vlaanderen for certain professions in order to work in Flanders or Brussels. Until recently, they could only apply for the recognition of their diploma by e-mail. Thanks to investments in the framework of "Vlaamse Veerkracht", this can now be done online in the e-portal. In the new e-portal, applicants receive tailor-made advice on the right choice of procedure, the documents they need to send, the processing time of their application and the cost price.
E-portal ensures more correct applications through tailored advice
Applicants receive advice tailored to their personal situation which allows them to:
get an overview of the documents they need to keep ready when they start their applicationare redirected to the correct organisation if they do not have to submit their application to NARIC-Vlaanderen. This means there is much less chance of applications being incomplete or incorrect, or of a lot of extra documents having to be supplied afterwards. This benefits the processing time of the files. In addition, the applicant gets a view of the possible cost and the actual processing time of the application.
More than 4,000 recognitions of foreign diplomas in 2022
The e-portal is a necessary step in the further digitalisation of NARIC-Vlaanderen. It is one of the measures being taken to cope with the increase in the number of files. The number of applications for a foreign diploma equivalence examination has been increasing for years. More than 6,400 applications were submitted in 2022. In the same year, more than 3,000 equivalences were established with the Flemish secondary, bachelor's or master's level. In addition, more than 1,000 equivalences were established with specific Flemish diplomas. These were mainly diplomas delivered in Ukraine, Morocco, Turkey, Lebanon and the UK.