Belgium Visa Guide: Eligibility, Documents, Process for Indians

Procuring a Belgium Visa

Overview

Belgium is situated in West Europe bordering the North Sea; it is famous for its medieval towns and Renaissance architecture. Belgium is also the headquarter of the European Union and NATO. The country has Dutch-speaking people in the northern parts, French-speaking people in the south and German-speaking people in the east. Brussels is the capital city of Belgium, which is also famous for its chocolates and beer. Belgium is a part of the Schengen Zone which comprises 26 European countries which have abolished border controls. You will need a valid passport and a visa to enter Belgium.

What are the Types of Belgium visa?

If you wish to visit Belgium for a short duration, you will have to apply for a Schengen visa to Belgium, which is one of the following:

Schengen Visa C: You will need this visa if you have to pass through one of the Belgian airports for reaching your destination country out of the Schengen Area.

Tourist visa: If you wish to spend your short vacation in Belgium for sightseeing and exploring the country, you will need to apply for this visa type.

Visitor’s visa:This Belgian visa is meant for foreigners who may have family members or friends staying in Belgium and visit them for a short duration.

Business visa: You will need to procure this business visa if you wish to visit Belgium for business purposes or related activities.

Official visit visa: This visa type is for members of delegations visiting Belgium for official purposes

Medical visa: This medical visa is needed by people who wish to visit Belgium for medical treatment.

Study visa: This visa is for students who wish to undertake a short-duration study course in Belgium for up to 3 months.

Cultural, sports and film crew visa: If you plan to visit Belgium for attending a cultural, sports or film activity.

Documents required for Belgium visa

To apply for a Belgium visa, you need to provide the following documents to the Belgium embassy or consulate:

• A Belgium visa application form filled and signed.
• Two passport-sized photographs which should have been taken in the last three months.
• Your passport should not be older than 10 years and should be valid for at least three months until after your intended departure from Belgium.
• You also need to submit copies of your previous visas, if applicable.
• Belgium offers you the choice of three languages in which you wish your visa to be treated. These are the three dominant languages of Belgium- French, German or Dutch. If you wish your visa to be treated in English, you may select the “no preference” option.
• You need to submit your travel insurance policy showing that you are covered for the whole Schengen Zone, for medical emergencies or repatriation in case of death to the extent of a minimum of 30,000 Euros.
• Along with the application you have to submit a cover letter stating the purpose of your visit to Belgium.
• Your round-trip itinerary that states the dates and flight numbers of your entry and exit from Belgium or the Schengen Zone.
• You also need to proffer proof of accommodation showing your hotel reservation or any other arrangement for the whole duration of your stay in Belgium.
• A proof of your civil status has to be submitted, such as a marriage certificate, or a birth certificate of children, or death certificate of spouse, etc. which are applicable.
• A proof of your financial status, showing that you have sufficient resources to support yourself during the whole duration of your stay in Belgium.

Additional documents for employed people:

• Copy of your employment contract.
• Your bank statement for the last six months.
• Written leave permission from your employer.
• Income tax return(ITR) or a certificate of income tax deducted at source (TDS).

Additional documents for self-employed people:

• Copy of your business license.
• Your company’s bank statement for the last six months.
• Income tax return (ITR).

Additional documents for a student:

• Proof of admission to an educational institution.
• No objection certificate from your former school or university.

Additional documents if you are retired:

Your pension statement for the last six months.

Additional documents for minors:

• Birth certificate
• Belgium visa application form signed by both parents
• A family court order in cases where the minor is in full custody of one parent
• Copies of ID proof and passport of both parents
• A notarised authorisation signed by both parents or guardians in case the minor is travelling alone

Additional Documents for airport transit Visa:

• A valid visa for the final country in the Schengen zone that you are going to visit.
• Your fight ticket to the final country Schengen Zone that you are travelling to.

Additional documents for a tourist Belgium Visa:

• Your bank statement for the last six months should be submitted.
• Your travel itinerary that includes your entry and exit dates in the Schengen zone.
• Your travel itinerary including the period of stay, specifying entry and exit dates to Belgium, and hotel reservations. Also, list out the places you plan to visit and the activities you will be undertaking during your stay in Belgium.

Additional documents for a Belgian Visitor Visa

While applying for a Belgian visa to visit a friend or a family member, you need to provide the following additional documents:

• Proof of your financial status, if you are going to support yourself, such as your bank statement of the last 6 months, should be submitted.
• If someone else is going to support you, you will have to submit an obligation letter invitation, not older than 6 months from your guarantor, their salary statements for the last three months and proof of their tax payment.
• Copy of your guarantor’s ID and proof of their residence permit in Belgium.

Documents required for a business Schengen visa:

• An invitation letter from the company in Belgium with whom you will be engaging in business, along with the dates of your entry and exit from Belgium.
• If you are going on a business visit on behalf of your company, then you need to submit a certificate from your company to this effect.
• A bank statement of your business of the last 6 months has to be submitted.
• The memorandum and article of association of your company as officially registered. This should be an original certified copy.
• A copy of your trade license, both when it was originally issued and when it was renewed.
• You must submit proof of how your trip is being financed.

Additional Documents for a Student Visa to Belgium:

• You have to submit an enrollment certificate from the school, college or university where you have been admitted for the course.
• A no objection letter from your last (or current)educational institution.

Additional Documents for a medical visa to Belgium:

• A medical report stating that you need medical treatment in Belgium issued by a doctor, clinic or hospital in your home country.
• A medical attestation certificate from a hospital or a doctor in Belgium confirming your appointment for treatment.
• A receipt of the medical fees you have paid to the concerned clinic or hospital in Belgium.
• Proof that you have sufficient resources to meet any other related expenses for your medical treatment in Belgium.

Additional documents for a Belgium visa for cultural, sports, film crew or religious purposes

When you apply for a Belgium visa for attending a cultural, sports, or a religious event, you need to provide the following additional documents:

• You need to submit an invitation letter from the appropriate organisation in Belgium which outlines the type of events and activities being organised.
• Your entry ticket for the event taking place in Belgium.
• The conditions of your enrollment in the event.
• A detailed schedule of the event to take place in Belgium.
• Other documents of the names of the crew members and all relevant details of the event.
• You will also need to submit a proof of your previous performance in similar activities at your national level or elsewhere on the international level.

Additional documents for joining your spouse who is a Belgian citizen:

• A Belgian marriage certificate
• The Belgian family record book

The process of applying for a Belgium visa

The procedure for applying for a Belgium visa for a short duration is as follows:

• You will first have to find out where you need to apply for a Belgium visa. It could be the Belgian embassy or consulate in your residence country. It could also be a visa application centre which has been authorised by Belgium to process the visa applications. It could also be an embassy or consulate of any other Schengen country which Belgium has authorised to undertake the visa submission process.
• You will need to select the right type of visa, that you need depending on the purpose of your visit to Belgium.
• Compile all the documents as outlined above to meet the specific criteria as required by the Belgium embassy/consulate in your country of residence.
• Make an appointment with the Belgium embassy or consulate to process your visa.
• Attend the visa interview in the Belgium embassy or consulate as per the appointment.

Eligibility criteria for applying for the Belgium visa:

• You must be a citizen of the country from where you are applying for the Belgium visa.
• You should be a foreign citizen who is currently on a temporary residence permit in the country from where you are applying.
• You are eligible to apply for a Belgium visa if it is the only country in the Schengen Zone that you are going to visit.
• You are eligible to apply for a Belgian visa if you are going to spend most of your trip duration in Belgium.
• If Belgium is the entry point of your visit to the Schengen Zone.

Time taken to process a Belgian visa

The entire process for processing a Belgian Schengen visa should take around 15 days under normal circumstances. However, the period may get extended depending on the number of applications being received by the Belgian embassy at the time you apply. If it is peak season, the process could go up to 30 days. And it could take up to 60 days in extraordinary circumstances, especially if your case is sensitive and when the Belgian embassy has to consult the embassy of one or more Schengen member countries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here is a list of commonly asked questions while applying for visa.