Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a sovereign state in Western Europe. It is bordered by France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Lying immediately north of France, Belgium shares a border with France that is nearly three times longer than it is wide. It’s just slightly smaller than the state of Maryland (it has more land than water surface area) and its capital city Brussels has a tremendous importance as a centre of commerce and also administrative capital of the European Union.

Are you planning your travels? Do you need to obtain a visa before you can leave? Brussels is in fact the capital of Europe. And it’s true that the visa operations are fast and multi-lingual. You can find out about the visa process for your trip here.

Do I Need A Visa For Belgium From Uk

What does this mean? Other than being the title of a new horror movie, it’s also one of the most frequent questions asked by people that are interested in dream interpretation.

Visa for Belgium

DiplomatsUnfortunately the Embassy of Belgium in London is only equipped with an extremely small waiting room which severely restricts access to the Embassy. This is why access to the Embassy is strictly limited on appointment only to diplomats applying for visas in order to travel on official business (based on an official verbal note)Diplomats and their families applying for Schengen visas for private travel are kindly invited to make use of our state of the art and comfortable (with a VIP section) Visa Application Center in London.For private journeys of diplomats and their families (family visit, tourism) the handling fee is due even when travelling on a diplomatic passport.Official journeys have to be confirmed with the traditional Verbal Note.UK travel document for refugee (Conventions of Geneva 1951)If you hold a UK travel document for refugee (Conventions of Geneva 1951), since 31.12.2020, you require a Schengen visa to travel to Belgium.You can find all the information on the procedure, requirements and appointments on the TLScontact visa application centre websiteAirport transitSince 31.12.2020, there have been some changes and depending on your nationality / type of travel document you hold, you might need an airport transit visa type A.  Please visit the European Commission website to find out if you require an airport transit visa.

Perhaps it is appropriate to draw your attention to the fact that the power of decision for access to Belgian territory, residence, establishment and removal of foreigners in Belgium is an exclusive competence of the Federal Public Service Interior (Immigration Department), rather than the Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs.

The website of the Immigration Office (DVZ) is the reference website in Belgium for all relevant information on visas.

In French click HERE
In Dutch click HERE
In English click HERE

We notice a significant decline in the quality of the submitted visa applications in the UK. The list of required supporting documents is available to the public HERE. It can then be considered that the presentation of an incomplete file means that the applicant either does not take his/her application seriously or is unable to present the requested documents and the consulate will take the decision on the basis of the application file, as presented, whether complete or not.

It should be clear that the Embassy will decide on your visa-application based on the supporting documents in your original file. For missing or non-conforming documents it is settled case-law that it is up to the claimant who wishes to convey information pursuant to a claim that may have an influence on the assessment of his administrative situation, to fully inform the administration which, for its part, cannot be required to carry out numerous inquiries, on pain of making it impossible to respond within a reasonable timeframe to the numerous requests it receives.

1. Short stay less than 90 days (Schengen visa and Airport transit)
2. Long stay national visas (stays over 90 days)
3. FAQ
4. Useful links
5. Contact

 

Information on the GDPRGeneral Data Protection Regulation. Information to be provided to applicants concerning the processing of personal data in the Visa Information System (VIS) provided upon short stay visa applications(This hyperlink opens a new window)Privacy statement. Processing of personal data in the context of a visa application

Who can apply for a Belgium Visa from within the UK?

Citizens of these countries  residing in the UK and planning to visit Belgium are required to get a Belgium visa in order to be able to enter Belgium. The main requirement is that you must have a UK residence permit valid for at least another three more months beyond the date you plan to leave Belgium / the Schengen Area.

Use the Belgium Schengen visa eligibility checker tool to find out if you qualify to apply for a Belgium visa from the UK.

If you have a 3 month UK visa you can extend it for three more months in order to be eligible to apply for a Belgium Schengen visa from within the UK. You must apply for an extension before your visa expires and while you’re still in the UK. Find out more on how to extend your UK visa.

You should apply for a visa via the appropriate Belgian Embassy/Consulate or Belgium visa application center in the UK if:

• Belgium is the only Schengen country you plan on visiting
• Belgium is your main destination (the country you will be staying the longest in)
• Belgium is the first Schengen country you are visiting, since you will be spending equal amount of days in each Schengen country you plan visiting

In case you plan on staying in Belgium for more than 90 days you must apply for a residency permit, not a Belgian Schengen visa.

Please, note that if you are not a resident in the United Kingdom you should apply at the Belgium Embassy/Consulate/VAC in your country of residence.

Belgium Visa application documents and requirements for UK residents

The following documents are required in order to obtain a Belgium visa in the UK:

• A valid passport or Travel document. Please make sure that:
  • Your passport has been issued within the previous 10 years,
  • Your passport has 2 full blank pages, one for the visa stamp and an additional spare page,
  • Your passport will be valid for at least three (3) months after the date you exit the Schengen Area.
• A valid UK residence permit or other form of Identity Card. The UK residency permit must be endorsed in the actual passport (or on a new biometric ID card)
• One application form filled out completely and signed by the applicant (please read the explanations carefully).
• One passport format photo that has a light background, is rightly coloured, and shows full face features. The photo must be less than three months old and be attached with a paper-clip on the application form.
• Biometric data (Applies only if you haven’t provided biometric data within the last 59 months):
  • Fingerprints
  • A copy of the passport bio page where the photo is included.

Note: Children under the age of 12 are exempted from providing fingerprints.

• A cover letter that explains the purpose of the visit to Belgium
• Proof of travel arrangements: Round trip flight/travel reservations or other proof of intended transport and complete itinerary of your visit to Belgium (if several Schengen States will be visited or if the trip covers several Schengen States and non-Schengen countries).
• Travel Insurance stating that you are covered in case of a medical emergency and repatriation not just in Belgium but in the whole Schengen zone (minimum coverage of € 30.000).