Uploading documents for your application with NARIC-Vlaanderen

Each document should be uploaded under the appropriate menu (general documents and documents for each of your diplomas);

• JPG, PNG and PDF files only
  Would you like to provide us with additional information? Then please do so in a single PDF. We will process your file faster if we do not have to compile various documents. Check how to convert several scanned documents into one PDF.
• Two attachments max
  You can only upload a certain number of documents per document type.
• Originals or scans?
  Copies or scans of your documents are sufficient. If we need to see original documents for authenticity purposes , NARIC-Vlaanderen will contact you.
• Legalisation of documents
  Your documents do not have to include an apostille or any other form of legalisation.
• What if I can no longer obtain a document?
  If your educational institution can no longer provide a document, they must confirm this in writing.
• Do I need documents for all degrees obtained?
  Please submit all the relevant documents for the diploma you would like to have recognised:
  • If you are applying for recognition of a secondary education diploma, it may be relevant to submit a diploma or certificate of higher education as additional information.
  • If you are applying for recognition of a higher education diploma which was preceded by another higher education diploma (e.g. a master’s degree which was preceded by a bachelor’s degree), please include all the required documents for the earlier diploma in your file.
  • If you are applying for recognition of a doctorate (PhD), you attach your diploma and the diploma supplement of both your PhD and master’s degree (= underlying diploma)

At the end of your application you will be asked to give NARIC-Vlaanderen permission to enquire about your studies and diploma with the organisations competent to authenticate your documents (educational institution, ministry of education, etc.). To do so, please complete the consent form (in Dutch)(PDF file opens in new window).

Documents for entitlement to exemption

• Certificate of OCMW support: a recent document proving that you receive a living wage (leefloon) or social assistance equivalent to a living wage. You need this document if you want to apply for recognition free of charge.

• Certificate of increased health insurance reimbursements (verhoogde tegemoetkoming): a recent certificate from your health insurance provider. You need this document if you want to apply for recognition free of charge.

• Certificate of refugee status: a residence card or identity card showing that you are a refugee or a certificate from the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRS). You need this document if you want to apply for recognition free of charge.

• Proof of asylum seeker status: Are you an asylum seeker who would like to request recognition free of charge? Or are you missing some of the necessary documents? Then you need this document: Annex 25 or 26 from Federal Public Service for Home Affairs (FPS Interior) and a valid immatriculation certificate (orange card).

• Proof of integration: a civic integration contract no older than 3 years. You need this document if you want to apply for recognition free of charge.

• Proof of subsidiary protection: a residence card or identity card showing that you have subsidiary protection or a certificate from the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRS). You need this document if you want to apply for recognition free of charge.

• Proof of registration as a job seeker:

  • a pathway agreement or an appointment sheet from the VDAB of up to 2 years old

  • an action plan or a guidance agreement from ACTIRIS or one of its Dutch-speaking partners of up to 2 years old

General documents

• Additional relevant documents: other official documents that might be important for the recognition of your diploma. Is this document not in Dutch, Afrikaans, French, English or German? Translate it into Dutch, French, English or German. Submit the original and the translation.

• Certificate of internship: this is an official certificate stating you completed an internship as part of your studies. The document should state when and where you did your internship, and what your tasks were. An assessment of the internship is useful but not compulsory. The certificate should be drawn up and signed by the organisation where you did the internship or by your school or university. Is this document not in Dutch, Afrikaans, French, English or German? Translate it into Dutch, French, English or German. Submit the original and the translation. In addition to your certificate(s) of internship, we will also ask you to complete this form listing your internships and work experience(PDF file opens in new window).

• Consent form: to verify whether the documents you have provided are authentic, we often need to contact the institution or government that awarded your foreign diploma. By completing, signing and uploading the consent form, you grant NARIC-Vlaanderen permission to contact the institution or government that awarded your diploma. If you refuse to give permission, we will try to process your application without doing so. Please note: this may lead to delays in the handling of your application or even to your application being closed. This is because we are then unable to authenticate your documents with certainty.

• Declaration of different name on diploma: is the name on your diploma different from the name on your identity documents? If so, please provide an official document explaining the change of name, e.g. a marriage certificate, divorce certificate or proof of gender change. Is this document not in Dutch, Afrikaans, French, English or German? Submit the original and a sworn (official) translation in Dutch, French, English or German. The translation must be done by a​​​​​​ translator who has taken the oath at a Belgian court(opens in new window). Please provide the (PDF file opens in new window)translation guidelines for a sworn translation(PDF file opens in new window) to your translator.

• Diploma: the official document that proves you completed your educational course. You need this document to submit an application. If you have not yet received your official diploma, you may be able to use a provisional certificate instead. Is this document not in Dutch, Afrikaans, French, English or German? Submit the original and a sworn (official) translation in Dutch, French, English or German. This translation must be done by a translator who has taken the oath at a Belgian court(opens in new window). Please provide the translation guidelines for a sworn translation(PDF file opens in new window) to your translator. You must also submit the diploma (and, where necessary, a translation) for any underlying programmes (e.g. a bachelor’s degree you completed before your master’s degree).

• Form missing study programme (in Dutch)(Word file opens in new window): a document proving that your educational institution can no longer forward a document for your application to you. NARIC-Vlaanderen requires written confirmation that this is not possible. Does your educational institution no longer exist in the meantime? Then add a supporting document about the closure or discontinuation to your file. Is this document not in Dutch, French, English or German? Submit a copy of a sworn (official) translation into Dutch, French, English or German. The translation must be done by a translator who has taken the oath at a Belgian court. Please provide the translation guidelines for a sworn translation(PDF file opens in new window) to your translator.

• Identity document: an official document with your name, date of birth, photo, etc. This document proves who you are. The document must be valid when you apply for your recognition. For example: an identity card, a passport, or an identity card for foreign nationals. A foreign identity document is also valid. Is this document not in Dutch, Afrikaans, French, Afrikaans, English or German? Submit a copy of a sworn (official) translation into Dutch, French, English or German. The translation must be done by a translator who has taken the oath at a Belgian court. Please provide the translation guidelines for a sworn translation(PDF file opens in new window) to your translator. Please note: a certificate of immatriculation (orange card) is not a valid proof of identity.

• Learning outcomes: a list of the knowledge and skills gained during your educational course. You can request the list from your school or university. Sometimes this list is included in the transcript (diplomasupplement, relevé de notes, zeugnis). You are usually given this list along with your diploma. Is this document not in Dutch, Afrikaans, French, English or German? Then translate it into Dutch, French, English or German. Attach the original document and the translation. This document (and any translation) is also needed for the underlying programmes (e.g. for Bachelor’s programmes you took before your Master’s programme)

• List of publications (especially important for doctorates/PhD’s): a list of your publications, such as essays, papers, academic articles or examples of project work. Is this document not in Dutch, Afrikaans, French, English or German? Translate this document into Dutch, English, French or German.

• Letter of motivation (compulsory for doctors): in the letter of motivation, you should state your reason for applying for recognition of your foreign medical diploma by NARIC-Vlaanderen. The experts who assess your diploma will read your letter. Write this document in Dutch, English, French or German.

• Portfolio: your portfolio should provide an overview of your work during and after your diploma studies. For example, photos, drawings, plans, descriptions. Is this document not in Dutch, Afrikaans, French, English or German? Summarise the text in Dutch, French, English or German. Submit the original document and the summary.

• Proof of additional training: an official document proving that you have completed additional training. For example, a diploma or certificate from the course. If you do not have this document, we cannot take your additional training into account when assessing your diploma. Is this document not in Dutch, Afrikaans, French, English or German? Translate it into Dutch, French, English or German. Submit the original and the translation.

• Relevant work experience: an official document that proves your relevant working experience. The document should contain the name and location of the employer, the period you worked there and the tasks you were assigned. The document must be drawn up and signed by your employer. Is this document not in Dutch, Afrikaans, French, English or German? Submit a translation (you may do the translation yourself) in Dutch, French, English or German. Submit the original and the translation. Do you not have this document? Then we cannot take your work experience into account. In addition to any documents you provide to demonstrate your work experience, we will also ask you to complete this form listing your internships and work experience(PDF file opens in new window).

• Referral from an institution: a letter or e-mail proving that the university or institution for higher education in Flanders requires recognition of your diploma by NARIC-Vlaanderen.

• Study programme: an official document with a detailed description of each subject you took during your course. This document is often more than 10 pages long. You can request it from your school or university. Please note: you need the study programme for the period during which you carried out your studies. Is this document not in Dutch, Afrikaans, French, English or German? Submit a translation (you can do the translation yourself) of your study programme in Dutch, French, English or German. A summary of 5 to 10 lines per subject is sufficient. Do you not have this document? Submit a letter from your school or university stating that there was no study programme or that they can not provide a copy. Please submit the original document and a sworn (official) translation if the document is not in Dutch, Afrikaans, English, French or German. This document (and, where necessary, the translation) is also needed for any underlying programmes (e.g. a bachelor’s degree you took before your master’s degree). The translation must be done by a translator who has taken the oath at a Belgian court. Please provide the translation guidelines for a sworn translation(PDF file opens in new window) to your translator.

• Thesis: your thesis or dissertation is the academic research paper you wrote to complete your course. Did you not write a thesis or dissertation? You may also demonstrate your academic research skills with papers or articles. Do you have a master’s diploma? Then we need your thesis or dissertation in order to recognise your diploma in Flanders. The thesis or dissertation is important because it demonstrates your academic research skills. Is this document not in Dutch, Afrikaans, French, English or German? Translate it into Dutch, French, English or German. The translation should be at least 5 to 10 pages long (excluding the bibliography) and should include: a table of contents or index, the research question, information about the methodology, information about the literature review, information about your own research, and the (partial) conclusions. Is your thesis or dissertation in a language that does not use the Latin alphabet? Please transcribe the bibliography into Latin script.

• Transcript: a list of all the subjects you took and the results you obtained for those subjects. Normally, you receive this document together with your diploma. Is this document not in Dutch, French, English, Afrikaans or German? Submit the original and a sworn translation in Dutch, French, English or German. The translation must be done by a translator who has taken the oath at a Belgian court. Please provide the translation guidelines for a sworn translation(PDF file opens in new window) to your translator. This document (and, where necessary, a translation) is also needed for any underlying programmes (e.g. a bachelor’s degree you took before your master’s degree).

• Work in Flanders or Brussels (if you live abroad or in Wallonia): a recent proof of your current or future employer in Flanders or Brussels.

Маєте диплом із України? Дізнайтеся, які документи потрібні для подачі заявки (in Dutch)