Visa Rules For Belgium Travel

Belgium is a party to the Schengen Agreement, which means that citizens of other countries in the Schengen zone can travel to Belgium without a visa. This includes citizens of the EEA/EU, as well as citizens of countries such as the US, New Zealand, Australia, Monaco, the Republic of Andorra, and Japan. For stays of up to 90 days, tourists from these countries do not need a visa to enter Belgium. However, they will need to apply for a Belgian national visa if they plan to stay longer than 90 days.

Short-stay visas (up to 90 days)

If you are planning a short trip to Belgium, there are a few things you should know about the visa requirements. Belgium is part of the Schengen Area, which consists of 27 European states that have agreed to allow free movement of citizens within this zone. Here is what you need to know about short-stay visas for Belgium:

A short-stay visa, also known as a Schengen visa, is required for citizens of non-Schengen countries who wish to visit Belgium for a period of up to 90 days. This type of visa is suitable for tourists, visitors, and those transiting through the Schengen Area. To apply for a short-stay visa, you must contact the Belgian embassy or consulate in your country of residence. Some countries have a representation agreement with Belgium, allowing you to apply through another Schengen country. For example, if you are applying from Indonesia, you would contact the outsourcing partner of the Netherlands.

The application process typically involves submitting a visa application form, providing necessary documents, and attending a visa interview. The required documents may include your passport, photos, proof of accommodation, travel insurance, and proof of financial means. It is recommended to apply for the short-stay visa at least three weeks before your intended departure date, and no earlier than six months in advance.

It's important to note that short-stay visas are not valid for extended stays in Belgium, such as for marriage or long-term study or work. For those purposes, you would need to apply for a long-stay visa (also known as a National Visa or D-Visa).

Entry Conditions for Short Stay

To enter Belgium on a short-stay visa, you must meet the conditions outlined in Article 6 of the Schengen Borders Code. One of the key conditions is to have a valid visa, unless you are exempt from this requirement. Certain countries have visa-free agreements with the Schengen Area, including the US, Australia, and New Zealand. Additionally, citizens of EU/EEA countries do not need a visa to enter Belgium.

When entering the Schengen Area through Belgium, you must do so through specified transit points, including the airports of Brussels National Airport, Deurne, Ostend, Gosselies, Bierset, or Wevelgem, or the ports of Antwerp, Ostend, Zeebrugge, Ghent, Nieuwpoort, or Blankenberge. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in an administrative fine.

Extending Your Short Stay

In some exceptional cases, you may be able to extend your short stay in Belgium beyond the initial 90 days. This is typically granted for humanitarian reasons, force majeure, or important personal reasons. To request an extension, you must provide valid documentation and apply to the Immigration Office in Belgium. If approved, you may receive an extension on your declaration of arrival or a new visa.

Long-stay visas (more than 90 days)

If you want to stay in Belgium for more than 90 days, you will need to apply for a long-stay visa (D-visa). This applies to all persons, including American citizens, who are not EU citizens or citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, or Switzerland.

The long-stay visa is not the same as a Schengen visa, but it does allow you to travel within the Schengen Area during your stay in Belgium. The visa is valid for up to 90 days within any 180-day period, and you must apply for a Belgian residence permit to stay longer than 90 days.

There are several types of long-stay visas, depending on the purpose of your visit:

• Student visa: For those who want to study in Belgium. It is usually valid for six months but can be extended until the end of your study program.
• Work visa: Requires sponsorship from an employer in Belgium.
• Dependent visa: Issued if you have a family member, usually a partner, living in Belgium, and you want to join them.
• Retirement visa: For those who want to retire in Belgium.
• Family reunification visa: For those who want to join a private employee or self-employed worker who is already in Belgium.

The processing time for a long-stay visa application can vary from 2 weeks to 6-9 months, depending on the category. The application can be submitted in person by appointment or by mail and must be lodged with the consular post that has jurisdiction over the state of your primary residence.

To apply for a long-stay visa, you will need to provide the following documents:

• Belgium visa application form.
• Two identical photos according to Belgium visa photo requirements.
• Copies of your previous visas (if applicable).
• Language Preference Form.
• Round-trip Flight Itinerary.
• Schengen Travel Insurance.
• Proof of accommodation.
• Proof of civil status.
• Proof of sufficient financial means for the period of stay in Belgium.

Once you receive your long-stay visa, you must ensure that your passport is endorsed by the immigration authorities when you enter the Schengen Area. Within 8 days of your arrival in Belgium, you must register at the communal administration of your local city hall and apply for a Residence Permit.

Visa applications and requirements

Belgium operates a visa policy similar to other EU countries that are part of the Schengen Zone. This policy determines who can enter with and without a visa and the special conditions each traveller must satisfy. Travellers from Schengen countries who hold Schengen passports can enter Belgium without a visa and can stay anywhere in the region for some time. Even those who may not have valid Schengen passports may use their valid government-issued ID cards to enter Belgium or any Schengen country of their choice.

Visa-free visitors can stay in Belgium for up to 90 days for transit, tourism, or medical care, but they cannot seek paid work. Another category of persons that can visit Belgium is foreign nationals from non-visa-exempt countries. This group of visitors can only enter Belgium if they have valid visas. Valid visas are issued by Belgian foreign missions to qualified applicants who satisfy all the conditions. The embassies issue Schengen and national visas; Schengen visas can be used to enter other Schengen countries, while national visas are only recognized and accepted by Belgian immigration.

The European Union is set to make the ETIAS visa waiver program mandatory for visitors from visa-exempt countries. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System is already in the pilot phase, and eligible visitors may visit the Schengen region with ETIAS or their valid passport, but this is set to change in 2024 when it becomes mandatory for all visa-exempt visitors.

The ETIAS is an electronic pre-screening security vetting system of the European Union. It will be used to vet applicants coming to member states as a means to protect the continent from terrorist attacks, curtail pandemics, stop illegal migration, and combat criminal elements and activities. The ETIAS permit is linked to the holder's passport and can be electronically generated. It is not a visa and should not be used as such. It is merely a document for short trips to Belgium and other Schengen countries.

If you are not a citizen of a visa-exempt country and you don't have a valid passport, you are not eligible for ETIAS. In this case, consider applying for a Schengen or national visa for Belgium. Schengen visas can be used for tourism and visits, cultural or sports events, and transiting through the Schengen area. National visas are for extended stays. The application process for a national visa is separate from the Schengen visa process.

To apply for a Belgium Visa, you must collect a set of documents that the Belgium embassy requires. These include:

• Belgium visa application form
• Two identical photos according to Belgium visa photo requirements
• Copies of your previous visas (if applicable)
• Language Preference Form
• Round-trip Flight Itinerary
• Schengen Travel Insurance
• Proof of accommodation
• Proof of civil status
• Proof of sufficient financial means for the period of stay in Belgium

You can apply for a Belgium Visa by following these steps:

• Fill in your visa application form.
• Collect all your documents.
• Find out where you need to apply for a visa to Belgium. Choose one of the nearest authoritative offices:

• The Belgian Embassy in your country of residence
• One of the Belgian consulates
• A Visa Application Centre to which Belgium has outsourced visa submission
• The Embassy/Consulate of another Schengen country to which Belgium has outsourced visa submission

• Make an appointment. After you are done with the documents, you need to schedule an appointment via email or in person to deliver them.
• Attend the visa interview. You will answer questions related to the reasons why you are going to Belgium.

The processing time for the Belgium Schengen visa is up to 15 days. It can take longer in cases when there are too many applicants, additional documents are required, or in extraordinary cases. It is recommended to apply for the Belgium short-stay visa as soon as possible, at least within three months of your planned trip.

Visa extensions

The process of extending a visa in Belgium depends on whether an individual is on a short or long stay. A short stay is defined as up to 90 days, while a long stay is anything over 90 days.

For those on a short stay, it is possible to extend your visa beyond the date set for leaving Belgian territory. The Immigration Office may authorise this extension under certain circumstances.

For those on a long stay, the general rule is that a foreigner is authorised to stay in Belgium for one year. The conditions for staying beyond this period and the documents that must be presented are stated in the decision from the Immigration Office. If the individual is in Belgium, this is done by the municipal administration for the place of residence. If the individual is abroad, the decision is issued by the embassy or consulate of Belgium that is issuing the visa.

To apply for a visa extension, you must first have your request for an extension of stay approved by the Immigration Office. Once approved, you must make an appointment using the link that is sent to you. Meetings are possible on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:20 am to 12 noon at the visa counter in the FPS Foreign Affairs (rue des Petits Carmes 27, 1000 Brussels). You must bring your passport and be prepared to pay by Bancontact, as cash payments are no longer accepted.

Visa exemptions

Belgium is a member of the Schengen Area, which means that citizens of other countries in the Schengen Area can enter Belgium without a visa. This includes citizens of the following countries:

• EU countries
• Iceland
• Liechtenstein
• Monaco
• Norway
• Switzerland

Spouses, partners, and children of citizens of the above countries are also exempt from needing a visa to enter Belgium. However, if they are not exempt from the Schengen visa requirement, they will need to apply for a Schengen visa to travel to Belgium.

In addition, citizens of the following countries are exempt from needing a visa to enter Belgium for stays of up to 90 days:

• United States
• United Kingdom

For citizens of other countries, a visa may be required for entry into Belgium. The requirements for obtaining a visa can vary depending on the country of residence and the purpose of the visit. It is recommended to check the website of the Belgian Immigration Office or contact the relevant Belgian embassy or consulate for specific information.

Frequently asked questions