Are you dreaming of exploring the fascinating cities and historical sites of Belgium? Before embarking on that adventure, securing a Belgium visa should be your top priority.
But fear not! This manual outlines the prerequisites and procedures for obtaining authorization for your stay!
How to Get a Belgium Visa?
Before embarking on your journey, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the Belgium visa requirements. As part of the Schengen region, Belgium permits stays of up to three months with a Schengen visa. Moreover, there are additional categories for those seeking extended-stay authorization.
Furthermore, Belgium grants visa-free short-stay privileges to citizens of certain countries. Typically, this privilege is extended to nationals of EU/EEA member states and territories with visa-waiver agreements.
Conversely, nationals of countries without this privilege must apply for a visa prior to their visit. We recommend consulting the website of the Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs site for the latest information.
What to Consider Before Getting a Belgium Visa?
After discussing the overview of occupancy authorization, let’s address several key aspects to keep in mind:
Make Sure Your Country is on the List
The first step is to verify whether your country is included on the visa exemption list. Certain nations allow their citizens to enter this country without a visa for short stays, while others require obtaining one.
Residents of Schengen region countries, such as Belgium, typically have the privilege of traveling within the land without needing occupancy authorization, particularly for stays of up to three months.
Territories with visa-waiver agreements with Belgium and the Schengen zone also benefit from this privilege. Examples include the US, Australia, Brazil, among others.
However, citizens without this privilege must obtain a visa before traveling. Countries requiring authorization for occupancy include India, Russia, and Indonesia, among others. For the most updated and accurate information, please consult the relevant officials.
Decide Your Purpose of Visit
Your decision can dictate which occupancy authorization is necessary. Some categories available include:
1. Visa for Brief-Stays (Category C)
There are several options available for stays lasting up to three months within a six-month period. These options include:
- Airport Transit Visa: Mandatory for foreign nationals transiting through airports, especially for individuals from the Dominican Republic, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Nepal, South Sudan, Sudan, and Syria.
- Business Visa: Granted to individuals attending business-related events or meetings.
- Tourist Visa: Issued to foreign visitors for leisure purposes.
- Visitor Visa: Designed for individuals visiting acquaintances.
2. Belgium Schengen Visa
Some available categories for this include:
- Transit Visa: Required for those transitioning from a Schengen region to a non-Schengen zone.
- Tourist Visa: Essential for sightseeing within the Schengen zone, permitting visits to multiple countries within the area.
- Business Visa: Issued to individuals with business-related activities within the Schengen zone.
- Visitor Visa: Required for visiting acquaintances within the Schengen zone.
- Sports, Arts, or Filmmaking in Schengen: Granted to people with those agendas within the zone.
- Medical Treatment: Essential for obtaining healthcare in countries within the Schengen zone.
3. Visa for Long-Stays (Category D)
This category is required for stays extending beyond three months. The available categories are as follows:
- Student Visa: Issued to students enrolled in higher education institutions.
- Employment Visa: Granted to workers remaining in the country for more than 90 days.
- Job Seeker Visa: Granted to individuals seeking employment opportunities.
- Family Reunion Visa: Issued to those joining family members who possess permanent residency cards.
- Researcher Visa: Granted to individuals conducting research for a period exceeding three months.
- Freelancer Visa: Designed for individuals engaged in location-independent work in Belgium.
- Language Course Visa: Issued to those pursuing language studies within the country.
- Student Internship Visa: Required for unpaid internships within the country.
- Partnership Visa: Required for spouses of EU blue cardholders or Belgian citizens.
- Relative Visa: Specifically for relatives of Belgian citizens who wish to reside in the country.
Visa Application Fees
The expenses for a Belgium visa application can vary. For short stays, the average cost for adults is EUR 80 or USD 87.56, while for minors aged 6-12 years old, it is EUR 40 or USD 43.78. Additionally, the fees for a residence permit range between EUR 63 or USD 68.96 and EUR 366 or USD 400.61.
The costs for extensions range from EUR 30 or USD 32.84 to EUR 60 or USD 65.67. It’s important to note that while application errors may be refunded, denied visas are not eligible for refunds.
Applying for a Belgium Visa
Belgium offers two types of application methods: online and via the embassy. Belgium visa online application is typically available for Schengen category authorization. However, this may vary depending on the specific requirements of the embassy in your country.
Conversely, the process may also differ if you are applying for extended stay authorization. Nonetheless, the general procedures you may need to follow are outlined below:
- Determine the visa category necessary based on the purpose of your visit.
- Complete the application form.
- Gather the necessary documents:
- Passport.
- Recent passport-sized photograph.
- Travel insurance.
- Itinerary.
- Proof of accommodations.
- Evidence of sufficient funds.
- Reserve a Belgium visa appointment.
- Attend the interview.
- Cover the expenses.
- Track your application.
- Collect your visa from the embassy.
As we come to the end, let’s wrap up the manual for obtaining a Belgium visa. Have you determined the category that best fits your needs? If you have, it’s advisable to book your flight promptly. For quick reservations and special deals, we suggest using Airpaz!
