NANSEN informs, supports and assists stateless persons 

In Belgium, the statelessness determination mechanisms and the procedure to obtain a residence permit as a stateless person are complex. 

NANSEN offers specific support to stateless persons. Due to the vulnerable situation they find themselves in and the complexity of the procedures, they may encounter specific difficulties in having their stateless status recognised and subsequently obtaining a right of residence. 

The 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons defines a stateless person as “a person who is not considered as a national by any State under the operation of its law”. It also specifies the obligations of States with regard to stateless persons. 

If you think that you are stateless, or that you are at risk of becoming stateless, or if you are assisting a person in this situation, contact NANSEN for individual support for the proceedings before the Court of First Instance (or the Court of Appeal), and/or the proceedings before the Immigration Office with a view to obtaining a residence permit. 

If possible, remember to contact NANSEN before the start of the proceedings before the court or before the application for a residence permit is submitted to the ‘Immigration Office’. 

For more information on statelessness

• Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons of 28 September 1954
• Convention of the Reduction of Statelessness of 30 August 1961

Useful Resources 

• NANSEN, Guide pratique sur l’apatridie en Belgique pour les professionnels du droit des étrangers
• European Network on Statelessness, Statelessness Index Belgium 
• UNHCR, Handbook on the Protection of Stateless Persons
• UNHCR, Mapping Statelessness in Belgium

NANSEN is a member of the European Network on Statelessness.