Your partner in
Belgian migration law
Welcome to Verellen Law—an independent migration law practice in Antwerp, founded on conviction and experience. We provide clear, committed, and legally grounded guidance in residence procedures, work permits, nationality applications, and family reunification.
Our Legal Services
At Verellen Law, we assist clients across all areas of migration law.
We provide guidance on residence permits and visa applications, including family reunification, humanitarian visas, and student visas. We also advise on access to employment through work permits, single permits, and professional cards. Our practice supports procedures for the recognition of foreign documents—such as marriage certificates—and asylum applications, including transfer decisions within the EU. We handle cases involving statelessness, nationality acquisition, settlement and long-term residence as an EU citizen, and appeals against detention and deportation. Even after arrival in Belgium, you can turn to us for legal support with access to social rights, housing, and other practical challenges.
About Thomas
I’m Thomas Verellen, assistant professor in EU and international law at Utrecht University, and founder of Verellen Law—a migration law practice based in Antwerp, Belgium. Since early 2024, I’ve dedicated my legal work to helping individuals navigate the complex and often hostile terrain of Belgium’s migration system.
My path to migration law is personal. Having moved countries myself as an academic and having married internationally, I’ve witnessed firsthand how borders can both open and close lives. What began as professional curiosity became moral urgency, as I grew increasingly disturbed by how governments treat migrants—not as rights-bearing individuals, but as threats. Fundamental principles like judicial independence and non-refoulement—the basic rule that you don’t send someone back to face torture or death—are being eroded by fear and suspicion.
At Verellen Law, I push back against these trends. I defend human rights, hold institutions accountable, and advocate for the values that underpin our liberal democracies: freedom, dignity, and the rule of law. These aren’t abstract ideals—they’re the scaffolding of a just society.
Book an appointment.
You're warmly invited to schedule an initial consultation. In a 45-minute meeting, we’ll explore your legal question or situation together. You can choose to visit our office at Edward Pecherstraat 24 in Antwerp, or meet online via Google Hangouts. This appointment is ideal for a first analysis—clear, efficient, and focused on the right next steps. Looking for a free lawyer (pro deo)? Book your online apointment here.