Tourist Visa In Belgium

Visiting Belgium is an experience that can not be put into words, like a beautiful painting by an old master, or a symphony played flawlessly by an orchestra. But imagine if you’re planning your trip to Belgium but fear that circumstances might cause you to cancel at the last minute? In such case, you should consider applying for a travel visa (otherwise known as a tourist visa).

Many provinces in Belgium such as Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges and others offer a long stay permit if you are interested in studying, working or establishing a business there. You can obtain the long stay in Belgium after proper assessment of your eligibility. The Belgian government provides support to anyone who is applying for a visa to settle in the country of Belgium. Getting a tourist visa in Belgium is an easy process.

If you’re planning a trip to Belgium, you’ll need to get a tourist visa. Here’s what you need to know.

Getting a tourist visa in Belgium isn’t that difficult—as long as you have all of the required documents and follow the right procedures.

You’ll be required to fill out an application form and submit it, along with a passport photo, at one of the Belgian embassies or consulates in your country of residence. Your application will be processed within two weeks, and once approved, you’ll receive an email notification with further instructions on how to apply for your visa through an online portal.

Once this is done, all that’s left is for you to schedule an interview at the consulate, which should take no more than 15 minutes. You’ll have to bring your passport and proof of payment for the visa fee (which varies depending on where you are applying).

General Requirements to Apply for Belgium Visa

In order to successfully obtain a Belgium touristic visa it is important to be prepared and gather all the necessary information regarding your nationality and purpose of visit beforehand. There are certain stages to obtain a Belgium touristic visa:

Plan Ahead

It is important to apply for a Belgium tourist visa in a reasonable time window. As a common rule in the Schengen area, visa applications should not be handed to corresponding consulate 15 days prior to the expected date of the arrival to the member country.

Make an Appointment

It is almost always required to make an appointment through the internet or phone to visit any Belgian embassy around the world. There will be a service fee asked from you in the embassy in addition to the visa fee.

Finalize Your Application

Find out which Belgian consulate is the most convenient for you to travel since you need to hand in the required documents in-person. There will be an interview held at the consulate to confirm your purpose of visit as well as other supporting documents.

Receive Your Visa

After processing time, you will be informed by the corresponding consulate or authorized visa service center and a Belgium tourist visa should be affixed to your passport.

Belgium Visa Applications

You are required to present following documents if your nationality is not eligible for a visa-free entry to Belgium:

• Fully completed, printed and signed Belgium visa application form
• A language preference form that will determine which language your application is going to be processed (French, German, Dutch, or English)
• Two identical passport-sized photos which are no older than three months
• A passport that is valid for at least three months before the planned date of departure, issued in the last 10 years, and contains two blank pages
• Copies of previous visas if applicable
• A cover letter that states your purpose of visit
• Round-trip flight ticket information
• A travel insurance that is valid in Belgium and Schengen area as well.
• Hotel booking or accommodation documents covering the duration of stay
• Proof of civil status
• Proof of sufficient income that will cover your expenses during your visit
• Supporting visa sponsorship documents of the sponsor if applicable

There are additionally required or supporting documents from certain applicants:

Employed:

• Employment contract
• A letter from the company that states your absence, duration of the stay, and confirms returning to current job
• Bank statement of the last six months
• Income tax return if applicable
• Original bank slips

Self-Employed:

• Copy of business license
• Company bank statement of last six months
• Income tax return if applicable

Student:

• Proof of enrollment and no objection certificate from the registered school
• Sponsorship documents if the applicant cannot support himself/herself financially during the period of the stay

Retired:

• Proof of pension of the last six months

Types of Belgian visa

Belgian visas are one of three broad types:

• Short-term Belgian visas – these are visas that permit stays of up to 90 days for tourism or business;
• 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;
• Immigrant visas – long-term visas for those who want to stay in Belgium either long-term or permanently, for purposes such as work or retirement

Full details of these visas along with qualifying conditions, costs, and application processes are available below.

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.

Airport Transit Visa

An airport transit visa allows you to pass through the international transit zone while waiting for a connecting flight. You cannot leave the airport and enter Belgium. The visa is necessary for citizens of the following countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, Dominican Republic, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Iran, Iraq, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, and Syria. You may be exempt from needing this visa if you are a family member of an EU/EFTA citizen.

You must apply for an airport transit Belgian visa at least 15 days before your trip. If a Belgian airport is your first or only transit airport, you can submit the application at the Belgian embassy in your home country. See here for a list of Belgian embassies and consulates around the world. Along with your application form, you must provide a valid passport/ID, two recent passport photos, proof of flight, travel insurance policy, and proof of the paid visa fee of €60.

Tourist visa

A tourist Belgian visa allows visitors to stay in the country for a maximum of 90 days in a six-month period. 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).

Visitor visa

If you want to come to Belgium to visit family or friends, you’ll need this visa. The requirements, processes, and costs for the visitor Belgian visa are much the same as for the tourist visa. The main difference is that you also must provide a letter of invitation along with proof of family relationship for relatives.

Business visa

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.

Official visit visa

The official visit visas for Belgium are necessary for those who have an official invitation for the purposes of an:

• official meeting, consultation, or negotiation;
• exchange program;
• intergovernmental organizational event

Requirements and processes are largely the same as for the Belgian tourist visa. You must also provide the letter of invitation along with other required documents. An Official Note of the Consular Department is necessary for diplomatic visits. The cost of this Belgian visa is €60, but diplomatic passport holders are exempt from paying the fee.

Medical visas for Belgium

This is a visa for those wanting to receive medical treatment in Belgium and not stay longer than three months. If treatment lasts longer than this, however, you must apply for a long-term Belgian visa. Requirements, processes, and costs are similar to the tourist visa. However, you’ll need to show proof of the need for medical treatment (e.g., doctor’s letter) along with proof of health insurance or advance payment for treatment.

Short-term study visa

For trips relating to study or educational purposes lasting less than three months, a short-term student visa can be applied for in much the same way as the tourist visa or other short-stay Belgian visas. You must provide relevant supporting documents (e.g., acceptance onto study program or proof of qualifications). Children also must provide a declaration of consent from parents as well as from their school. For school trips and exchanges, schools or traveling parties from non-EU/EFTA countries can make a group application that exempts children in the group from having to make individual visa applications. Full details of all children attending, including photos, need to be provided in advance of the trip.

Visas for cultural, sports, religious, or film events in Belgium

This visa covers visits for artists, athletes, or religious leaders attending events and competitions in Belgium. As well as the standard short-stay visa requirements, applicants need to provide event information and evidence of skills or qualifications. For film crews, details of the film, film-maker credentials, and list of film crew members also need to be provided. The standard fee for this visa is €60 but there are many exemptions. Check what applies to your individual circumstances.

Belgium Visa Fees

Belgium short-stay visa types listed below exclusively include the visa fee. Keep in mind that there might be additional payments expected from the applicant such as consular fees, service fees of the outsourced companies, or application form fees.

The current Belgium visa fees valid as of March 2020 are as follows:

Short-Stay Visa Application Types	Visa Fee in EUR
Adult	80 €
Child between 6-12 years of age	40 €
Child between 0-6 years of age	Free
Researchers and Scientists	Free
Family Members of an EEA national	Free
Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia Citizens	35€

NOTE: This article was prepared in March 2020. Please check up-to-date information published by official sources.

Conclusion

As a final note, touriago.com is a travel site for everyone and their locations around the world. They are connected to individuals, ministries and service projects so you can find a location near you that meets your interests and preferences. They also host events from conferences to camps where people from all over the globe gather to build on relationships, explore togetherness and worship together in your community.