I feel like a huge stress ball. I am American and have been living in Belgium for over a year and recently completed my masters. While studying here, I met someone (who is Dutch) and we have been dating for about 6 months. The relationship is going very well and I have been looking for jobs in Brussels (international affairs/political field) but without success. We suspect that my not having a work permit is a large reason. He suggested the idea of applying for a Belgian Partnership together (we already live together) in hopes that I would also be able to receive a work permit. This way, our relationship can continue and I can attempt a career in Brussels. My questions are: are you able to obtain a work permit through the Partnership process; how long of a process is it; and is it costly? I appreciate any input.

As far as I know a work permit can only be obtained from the company providing you employment.

If you are still considered a studend, you are entitled to a student's work permit and there is no need to do it through your partnership. However, if you are no longer a student, then you would want to apply for the Cohabitation Visa (via the commune)! Once you have that visa you can then start applying for your work permit (type C) at the Work Visa Office. This is a long long process, it took me 6 months to do it!

Let me just warn you, you will need a LOT of patience and you should document and take copies of everything! If they will let you.. get the names of people that you deal with, the time, date and if you are really lucky..get them to sign it! This is to save you some problems down the road..you'll need it!

Check out this thread, for a darn good outline of what is needed for Cohabitation.
http://forum.expatica.com/Cohab-Visa-Marriage-t105379.html

Here is also a good site to start going through for Cohabitaion!
http://www.diplomatie.be/en/travel/visa/vi...sp?TEXTID=44225

Good luck! You'll need it. OH! If you can, try to deal with the smaller communes! You will have less of a wait.