Belgium lies in the middle of Europe and people come there for commerce, study, job, family reunion, and vacation. You will probably require a permit to visit Belgium if you are not a citizen of a nation in the European Union (EU) or the Schengen Area. Your nationality, the reason you want to go to Belgium, and how long you want to stay will all affect how you apply for a Belgian visa. Belgium gives out both short-term and long-term visas. To prevent delays or rejections, the application procedure must be followed exactly.
Figuring out which visa type is right
The first thing you need to do before starting the application is figure out what kind of visa you need for your trip. You must have a Schengen short-stay permit in order to enter Belgium for up to 90 days within a 180-day period for tourism, family visits, business conferences, or cultural activities. Another name for it is a Type C Schengen visa. However, you must apply for a Type D visa, a long-stay visa, if you want to stay in Belgium for more than ninety days. This may be for studying, working, or getting back together with relatives. It’s important to know what sort of visa you need since each one has its own rules and paperwork.
Putting in your application
Usually, you apply for a Belgian visa at the Belgian embassy or consulate in your home country. Belgium may hire an outside company, like VFS Global, to handle the visa application procedure in specific situations. People who want to apply must first make an appointment and then go in person to provide their papers and biometrics. You may normally fill out the application form online or download it and fill it out by hand.
It is highly advised to start your visa application procedure as soon as possible. Apply for a short-stay permit at least 15 days before you expect to go. For a long-stay visa, you should apply as soon as possible, even weeks or months in advance, depending on how long it takes to process and how complicated the case is.
Getting the necessary papers
The papers you need to get a Belgian visa depend on the kind of permit and the reason for your trip. But there are several papers that are usually needed for all categories. These are some of the things you need:
- a valid passport with at least two blank pages;
- current passport-sized photos;
- travel medical insurance that covers at least €30,000;
- evidence of place of lodging in Belgium;
- a round-trip airline reservation, and
- evidence that you can afford to pay for your stay.
You will also need further paperwork for work or study visas, including a letter of acceptance from a recognised Belgian school or an employment contract. To get a family reunion permit, you need to provide documentation of your connection with the individual living in Belgium and their legal status. All documents need to be translated into English or one of Belgium’s official languages, and in certain cases, they also need to be apostilled or legalised.
Fees and processing times for visas
There is a cost for each visa application that cannot be refunded. A short-stay Schengen visa normally costs roughly €80, however the cost of a long-stay permit depends on the applicant’s age and category. Some students, youngsters, or people from particular countries may be able to get out of paying the full charge or get a lower fee.
Times for processing might be different. Processing times for short-stay visas are usually 15 calendar days, however they might take longer during busy times or if further checks are required. It might take weeks or even months to get a long-stay visa, especially if the Belgian Immigration Office in Brussels has to look at the case.
Getting a decision
When your visa application is processed and you are ready to pick up your passport, you will be notified. If your application is granted, a visa sticker will be put in your passport. This sticker will show the type of permit, when it is valid, and how many times you may enter the country. If your visa is denied, you will get a letter explaining why and you may be able to appeal the decision.
You may also find these articles helpful
All you need to know about Job seek visa in Germany
Startup Visa in Finland: How to get it?
Investment visa to the Czech Republic
