- Passport – You need to hold a valid passport to be able to apply to the Belgium embassy for a visa. ...
- Photos – 2 passport-sized photos need to be submitted as part of Belgium visa requirements.
- Hotel reservation for visa application – When applying for the visa, you need to show that you have either booked your own accommodation in Belgium or have someone sponsoring your ...
- Flight reservation for visa application – This is basically an itinerary of your travel plans in Belgium and the Schengen area in general.
- Travel health insurance – This includes valid and suitable health insurance plan covering the total number of days you will be staying in Belgium
- No objection letter – This letter is required to validate your current status and assure the embassy that your have permission to travel. ...
Do US citizens need a visa for Belgium?
US citizens with valid US passports do not need a transit visa, tourist, or business visa. US citizens can stay for up to 90 days in the Schengen area within a sixth-month period. You have to obtain a Belgian residence permit for longer stays (such as for studies or work).
How to get a visa to study in Belgium?
- A filled and signed application form (you may have to bring more than one)
- A passport or travel document valid for more than 12 months. ...
- Proof of sufficient income for the full duration of your time in Belgium. ...
How long does Belgium visa take?
How long does it take to obtain a Belgium visa? Typically, a visa takes anywhere from 2 days to 15+ days to process in the Belgium Embassy/Consulate depending on the consulate that we need to send the application. The processing time for a visa is dependent on several factors and can change without notice at the consulate's discretion.
How to fill Belgium visa application form?
- Find out where you need to apply for a visa to Belgium.
- Choose the right Belgium Schengen visa type. ...
- Collect the required documents for a visa to Belgium . ...
- Make a visa appointment with the Belgium Embassy/Consulate or a Belgium accredited visa application centre in your country of residence.
Is Belgium visa easy to get?
As for the most difficult, Belgium leads the way with a relatively high 16.9% of applications refused – the highest rate anywhere in the Schengen Area - but this still means that 83.1% of applicants are issued with a Schengen Visa.
How much is Belgium visa fee?
80How Much Does It Cost to Apply for a Belgian Visa?Belgium Short-Stay Visa Application TypeVisa Fee in EuroBelgium visa for adult travellers80Belgium visa for children (6 – 12 years)40Belgium visas for children (under 6 years)FREE
How do I get a visa for Belgium?
How to Apply for a Belgium Visa?Contact the Belgium Embassy.Make an appointment.Fill in your visa application form.Collect all your documents.Attend the visa interview.
Is visa Open for Belgium?
COVID - 19 Updates Owing to the ongoing global COVID-19 developments, our Belgium Visa Application Centres will not be accepting visa applications for processing until further notice. For more updates, we request our customers to check our website (www.vfsglobal.com) or the Embassy/Consulate website.
How long does a Belgium visa take?
Belgium Visa Processing Time Typically, the processing time for the Belgium Schengen visa is up to 15 days. It can take longer in cases when: The number of applicants is too high – up to 30 days. Additional documents are required – up to 45 days.
What are the documents needed to travel to Belgium?
The list of documents required for a Belgium visa is:Belgium visa application form.Two identical photos.Your passport.Copies of your previous visas (if applicable).Language Preference Form.A cover letter.Round-trip flight itinerary.Schengen travel insurance.More items...
Can I move to Belgium without a job?
You can come to Belgium to take on short-term voluntary work without the need for a work permit, although the visa/residence requirements will still apply.
Is Belgium Good for immigration?
The results of the 2013-2014 comparative immigration study shows that Belgium is one of the most attractive countries for highly skilled foreigners thanks to the speed, low cost and accessible conditions for obtaining a work permit.
How can I stay in Belgium?
Required Documents for Belgium Residence PermitThe application form for a long-stay visa. ... Valid passport. ... Two identical passport pictures of you. ... Health insurance. ... Civil status. ... Proof of your accommodation in Belgium. ... Proof of your financial means. ... Proof by your local police for your good conduct.
How do I know if my Belgium visa is approved?
With the file number you can inquire about the status of your application (Boulevard Pacheco,44,1000 Brussels, T: +32.2. 793.80. 00, [email protected] ). Using this number, you can also check the status of your visa application on the Immigration Office website .
How long does it take to get Belgium work permit?
8 to 10 weeksProcessing time The Belgium work permit for Indians may take 8 to 10 weeks. The processing time depends on the company you will be working for and how soon your employer makes the application.
How long does it take to process Belgium visa in Nigeria?
The visa processing time will be at least 12 full working days. In case the visa application has to be submitted to the Federal Department of the Interior in Brussels, the processing time will be approximately 4 working weeks.
How much do you pay for visa?
Visa Types and Application Fee Amounts The application fee for the most common nonimmigrant visa types is US$160. This includes tourist, business, student, and exchange visas. Most petition-based visas, such as work and religious visas, are US$190.
How long does it take to get a work visa for Belgium?
8 to 10 weeksBelgium Work Visa Processing Time? To obtain a work visa may take 8 to 10 weeks.
How long can I stay in Belgium without a visa?
Third-country nationals (non-EU/EFTA citizens) will normally need a Belgian visa for any long-term stay (over 90 days) in Belgium. For shorter stays under 90 days, residents of many countries must apply for a short-stay visa.
How long can you stay in Belgium on a visa?
The Belgium (Schengen) Visa Application allows applicants to enter the Schengen area where they can stay for no more than 90 days.
How long is a passport valid in Belgium?
Make sure you hold a passport issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least 3 more months beyond the date you plan to leave Belgium (and the Schengen area). (British passport holders are exempt from this criteria).
How long can a Schengen visa last?
Holders of the Schengen visa are allowed to travel throughout the Schengen zone for up to 90 days within a 180 day period.
What is travel registration?
Travel Registration is a service provided by the government. This service allows you to record information about your upcoming trip abroad to the Department of State so it can be used to assist you in case of an emergency. People residing abroad can also get routine information from their nearest embassy or consulate if registered.
Do you need fingerprints for Schengen visa?
In some cases you may need to supply fingerprints. DISPLAY YOUR SCHENGEN VISA. Once your application is approved, you’ll receive your Schengen visa sticker by mail. The sticker should be affixed to your passport. You will need to display it to authorities before boarding and on arrival.
How to get a Belgian visa?
All third-country nationals wanting to visit Belgium for tourist purposes need this visa unless they are one of the 61 exempt countries. Apply at the Belgian embassy or consulate of your home country a minimum of 15 days prior to your visit. Along with the visa application form, you’ll need to provide a valid passport/ID, two recent passport photos, flight details, health insurance details, proof of accommodation, and proof of financial means to support your stay. You’ll also need to show proof that you’ve paid the tourist visa fee of €60 (€35 for children aged 6-12).
Who needs a visa for Belgium?
Citizens of the European Union (EU) and the European Free Trade Association (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland) can travel freely to Belgium without a visa. EU and EEA citizens don’t need a work permit to work. Citizens of the 25 other Schengen Area countries within the EU/EFTA can travel freely to Belgium without a passport.
How much does a Belgian visa cost?
The cost for this Belgian visa is €180 plus the additional contribution if applicable. For more information, see this guide to studying in Belgium.
How long does a business visa last in Belgium?
This visa is necessary for short-term business-related trips to Belgium lasting less than 90 days. This is a requirement for non-EU/EFTA nationals but the same exemptions apply as for the tourist visa. The processes and costs for the business Belgian visa are the same as for the tourist visa. Requirements are also the same but you will also need to provide a letter from your employer explaining the purpose of your trip, or an invitation letter from the organization in Belgium requesting your attendance.
How many people move to Belgium each year?
Around 150,000 people move to the country each year and approximately 25% of Belgian residents were foreign-born. As it is part of the Schengen Area, Belgium allows many EU residents passport-free travel into the country.
How long can an au pair work in Belgium?
This visa cannot exceed 12 months, however.
What is a Category C work visa?
Category C work visa – this is issued to people already in Belgium temporarily but who didn’t come for work purposes (e.g. students, family members, asylum seekers). It allows the holder to take up any job for which they are qualified. It can be renewed beyond 12 months in some circumstances.
How to Apply for a Schengen Visa to Belgium?
You have to apply for a Schengen visa at the Belgium embassy or consulate. There may be a slight difference in the required documents and the application process based on your visa type. However, you need to go through the following steps:
How to Track the Belgium Schengen Visa Application?
The Belgian embassy or consulate sometimes submit your application to the Immigration office in Belgium. After submitting your file, you will get a receipt with a five-digit number. This number allows you to:
How Long is the Belgium Schengen Visa Valid?
The Belgium Schengen visa is valid for 90 days within six months. The 90-day rule applies to all the countries that are part of the Schengen area, not only Belgium. The collective number of days you can stay in Belgium or elsewhere in Schengen within six months must not exceed 90 days.
Can I Work or Study in Belgium With a Schengen Visa?
If you are looking to work or study in Belgium, you will need to apply for a long-stay type of visa known as a Belgium D-visa .
Can I Visit Other European Countries With a Belgium Tourist Visa?
Yes, a Schengen visa allows you to visit other Schengen Area countries. If you have been issued a Belgium Schengen visa, you have the right to travel to all the countries part of the Schengen zone. There may be instances when you are issued a Limited Territorial Validity Schengen visa, which means, the only country you can visit is the one that issued you the visa – in this case, Belgium. But, you should know that the days you spend in another country are also included in the 90 permitted days in the Schengen area.
Do I Need a Schengen Tourist Visa to Visit Belgium?
You don’t need a visa if you are from the EU/EEA, Switzerland, the US, New Zealand, Australia, Monaco, the Republic of Andorra, Japan, or another country with a visa-free agreement with Schengen.
How can an EU national obtain a Belgium residence permit?
For EU citizens, the right of free travel within the Union, as well as their granted ability to seek employment in a Member State , may make the process a little simpler than for non-EU nationals.
What is a residence permit in Belgium?
Individuals who wish to obtain a Belgium residence permit should know that this is divided into two categories: temporary and permanent. The first one is awarded when moving to Belgium for work or study purposes as well as for starting a business or making an investment. The second one is a natural transition for those who wish to live in the country permanently .
What are the conditions for obtaining permanent residence in Belgium?
An individual who has been living uninterruptedly in the country for five years can obtain a permanent Belgian residence permit. The permanent permit is applied for in person, with the municipal authority in the area of residence. The Appendix 22 is used for this purpose (séjour permanent/Duurzaam verblijf) and the applicant will be asked to fill it is appropriately.
What are the residence conditions for non-EU citizens?
Non-EU nationals who wish to stay in the country for more than three months , thus to obtain a Belgium residence permit, will need to observe a set of different formalities, starting with obtaining the D visa type (the one for long-term purposes) issued by the Embassy or Consulate in one’s country of origin. It is useful to note that the visa application takes place before arriving in Belgium, however, in some particular cases, the application can also be submitted with the municipal administration in the area where the applicant lives or will live in Belgium.
How long does a Belgium residence permit last?
Once the application is filed, the next step is for the applicant to receive the actual permanent Belgium residence permit. This can be issued either in paper format (in which case it has unlimited validity) or in electronic format (an E+ Card with a validity of 5 years that can be renewed).
Why is integration important in Belgium?
Integration in the host country is essential for immigration purposes and proof of such integration is essential for those interested in obtaining a Belgium residence permit for the purpose of indefinite stay. Integration can largely be based on a number of key factors such as obtaining and securing employment, civic participation as well as educational attainment for the children of immigrants. In Belgium, the municipal council has authority at a local level over the implementation of the integration projects and the national immigration policies.
What is the authority of the municipal council in Belgium?
In Belgium, the municipal council has authority at a local level over the implementation of the integration projects and the national immigration policies. Two main categories of immigrants are distinguished for immigration purposes: asylum seekers and other categories of immigrants.
How Much Does the Belgium Work Visa Cost?
The work visa cost €180. This fee includes all types of long-stay visas. The fee is per person and it is paid by your employer when submitting your visa application at the Belgian Immigration Office.
How to Get a Residence Permit for Work After You Enter Belgium?
After you arrive in Belgium, you have to register in the foreigner’s registry at your local administration or town hall. Then, you will be required to submit an application for an ID card and provide your fingerprints . After you have completed these requirements, you will receive your identity card ac ting as a residence permit.
Can I Work in Belgium Without a Visa?
Citizens of the EU, EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway), and Switzerland can work in Belgium without a visa or work permit. In addition, citizens of the countries listed below can get the residence and work permit after arriving in Belgium without previously applying for a visa:
Do You Need a Visa to Work in Belgium?
If you wish to work in Belgium as a foreign worker under an employment contract, you must have a work permit. This rule applies to citizens outside the EU, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
How to get a work permit in Belgium?
When you apply for this Belgian work permit, you will need to complete the form ‘ Application for obtaining a work permit A ‘ ( Aanvraag tot het bekomen van een arbeidskaart Aan) and provide copies of your type B work permit, payslips and residence permit. You will need to apply at the immigration office in your area, who can also provide more detail about how to get a work permit in Belgium.
Who can work in Belgium?
Citizens from the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA – EU plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) and Switzerland can work freely in Belgium without the need for a Belgian work permit.
How long does a Belgian work permit last?
A Belgian work permit B is issued for a specific job for a specific employer for a maximum period of up to 12 months, despite the length of your employment contract. However, this permit can be renewed for as long as you still meet the requirements. The Belgian work permit B requires employer sponsorship; your employer has to apply ...
What is the condition of a work permit in Belgium?
A firm condition of the Belgian work permit B, however, is that the employee must still be abroad; if it is discovered an applicant came to Belgium with the intention to work before holding a permit, Belgian immigration reserves the right to refuse an application. This measure is designed to stop foreigners simply entering Belgium to find work, and an appeal against such a decision will not typically be granted.
How long can you work as an au pair in Belgium?
In addition to Belgium’s work visa entry requirements, if you are aged between 18 and 26 and have not held a Belgian work permit before, you can come and work as an au pair in Belgium for a period of up to one year.
How long can you work in Belgium with a blue card?
The European Blue Card is a combined work and residence permit that allows highly skilled workers from outside the EU to live and work in Belgium for more than three months.
How many types of work permits are there in Belgium?
There are three types of work permit in Belgium, and it depends on your situation as to which Belgian work permit is required. Below is an explanation of the different work permit for Belgium.
Immigration in Belgium
Who Needs A Visa For Belgium?
- EU/EFTA nationals
Citizens of the European Union (EU) and the European Free Trade Association (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland) can travel freely to Belgium without a visa. EU and EEA citizens don’t need a work permit to work. Citizens of the 25 other Schengen Area countrieswithi… - Non-EU/EFTA nationals
Third-country nationals (non-EU/EFTA citizens) will normally need a Belgian visa for any long-term stay (over 90 days) in Belgium. For shorter stays under 90 days, residents of many countries must apply for a short-stay visa. Some non-EU/EFTA countries have agreements with Schengen Area …
Types of Belgian Visa
- Belgian visas are one of three broad types: 1. Short-term Belgian visas– these are visas that permit stays of up to 90 days for tourism or business; 2. Non-Immigrant visas– these are longer-term temporary visas for studying or working on fixed-term contracts, where the holder doesn’t intend to stay in the country beyond a fixed period; 3. Immigrant visas– long-term visas for thos…
Short-Term Visas For Belgium
- A short-stay Schengen or C visa allows you to stay in the Schengen area – but not work – for up to a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period. If you have a Schengen visa from another Schengen state, you can also stay in Belgium if you haven’t exceeded the 90-day allowance. Here is a list of the different short-stay Belgian visa types.
Non-Immigrant Visas For Belgium
- If you’re coming to Belgium for longer than 90 days but don’t intend to stay permanently, you must apply for a long-stay (category D) non-immigrant visa based on the purpose of your stay. For example, whether you are coming to Belgium to work, study, or stay with a family member. Since 2015, an additional contribution is necessary for processing certain long-stay Belgian visa applic…
Immigrant Visas in Belgium
- If you are relocating to Belgium or planning to come for a significant period of time (longer than a year), you will need to apply for a category D long-stay Belgian visa. Which visa you apply for depends on the purpose for moving to Belgium. The standard cost of a long-stay immigrant visa is €180 plus the same additional surcharges as the non-immigrant visas. Generally, you will hav…
Arrival in Belgium: Registration and Residence
- When you arrive in Belgium you have three days to register your arrival at the municipal administration offices. They will give you a document specifying when you have to leave Belgium. Anyone who plans to stay in Belgium for more than three months will be classified as a resident. After your arrival in Belgium, you have eight working days to go to your local municipal administr…
Citizenship and Permanent Residence in Belgium
- Once you live in Belgium for five years, you may qualify for permanent residency in Belgium. Certain residents will also be able to apply for Belgian nationality if they fulfill certain conditions. Both allow you to stay in Belgium indefinitely, working or otherwise, under similar conditions as Belgian citizens. If you hold a Blue Card from another EU-member state, and have lived elsewher…
Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Belgium
- Belgium is a party to the Geneva Convention; all foreigners who enter the country have the right to apply for asylum. The first step towards applying for asylum in Belgium is submitting an application to the General Commissariat for Refugees and Stateless Persons(CGRS). Applicants then go to a reception center during the application process. Here, they receive lodging, meals, a…
Useful Resources For Visas in Belgium
- IBZ– the Foreigners Department of the FPS, the Belgian Immigration Office.
- Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs– website of the Belgian Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, and Development Cooperation
- Portal Belgium.be– the Belgian government’s official information and services portal.
- Regional Authorities– for specific information about procedures in the different regions of Be…
- IBZ– the Foreigners Department of the FPS, the Belgian Immigration Office.
- Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs– website of the Belgian Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, and Development Cooperation
- Portal Belgium.be– the Belgian government’s official information and services portal.
- Regional Authorities– for specific information about procedures in the different regions of Belgium.
