Belgium Visa Application Requirements – Schengen Visa

Belgium, a country in Western Europe, is known for medieval towns, Renaissance architecture and as headquarters of the European Union and NATO. The country has distinctive regions including Dutch-speaking Flanders to the north, French-speaking Wallonia to the south and a German-speaking community to the east.

Every year, many people travel to Belgium for different reasons either for tourist, work, study, or visit. Depending on the purpose of our travel to Belgium, there are different types of visas that apply to the occasion.

Belgium Visa Application Requirements

So before applying for Belgium Schengen visa, it is important to know the Belgium Schengen visa requirements and which of the visa category that you are eligible for.

Contents

General Documents for a Belgium Visa Application

  • Download the Belgium Visa application form, fill it completely and with sincerity. You can also fill the Schengen Visa application form electronically and then print a hard-copy.
  • 2 photos must be attached; the photo should be of passport format – a recent whole-face capture with a light background.
  • Your passport and copies of your previous visas – valid for at least 3 months beyond return date – are required. Your passport must have at least two blank pages.
  • Travel health insurance confirmation of minimum 30,000 € coverage within Belgium and the entire Schengen area.
  • A cover letter stating the purpose of visit to Belgium and itinerary
  • Flight Itinerary with dates and flight numbers specifying entry and exit from Belgium
  • Hotel Booking for the whole duration of the intended stay in Belgium.
  • Proof of civil status (marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, death certificate of spouse, ration card if applicable)
  • Means of subsistence – Proof of sufficient financial means for the period of stay

If employed:

If you are employed, the following documents will be required;

  • Employment contract
  • Current bank statement of the latest 6 months
  • Leave permission from employer
  • Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary

If self-employed:

If you are self-employed or running a business, you will need to provide the following documents;

  • A copy of your business license
  • Company bank statement of the latest 6 months
  • Income Tax Return (ITR)

If a student:

If you are a student applying for the Belgium study visa, you will need to provide the following documents;

  • Proof of enrollment
  • No-objection certificate from school or university

If retired:

If you are a retiree, you will need to provide the following documents;

  • Pension statement of the latest 6 months

If applicable:

  • Regular income generated by property proof of the latest 6 months

*Note: The signed application form must be accompanied the rest of the above-mentioned mandatory documents and handed personally at the appropriate embassy/consulate or its representative in your home country.

Apart from the general documentation required, accompanying should be other additional documents depending on the purpose of your Belgian Visa application.

Additional Documents Required for the Most Frequent Purposes of the Belgian Visa Application

Belgian Tourist/Visitor Visa Requirements

This visa is meant for those looking to visit Belgium for less than 90 days for leisure or tourism purposes. According to Belgium visa requirements, the following documents are required to be submitted especially for a tourist visa application to the embassy:

Belgian Schengen Visa for Business Purposes

This visa is for those who are planning to visit Belgium for temporary work-related purposes. However, do keep in mind that this does not grant the applicant to take up new employment in Belgium or any other Schengen country. The documents required for applying for a business visa are:

  • Invitation letter from the Belgian company you will be visiting and their detailed address accompanied with the dates of your visit
  • A certificate from your employer stating/allowing your business travel
  • If there were previous trade relations between the two companies, proof of such events must be provided
  • Business bank statement of the latest 6 months
  • Memorandum and Article of Association in original certified copy (registered with joint stock companies) Trade License (first issued and present renewal), Proprietorship/Partnership documents
  • Regarding the applicant’s expenses during stay in the Schengen zone, either the employer or the partner company must state coverage of expenses on the letter or invitation.

Belgian Schengen Visa for Medical Purposes

A lot of people travel to Belgium and certain other countries to seek better medical treatment or specialized treatment for a disease that cannot be treated in their own country. For this purpose, the Belgium visa requirements are the following:

  • A local medical report
  • A medical attestation from the hospital or doctor in Belgium, confirming the date of your appointment as well as your medical situation
  • Payment receipt of medical fees

Belgian Schengen Visa for Cultural, Sports, Film Crew or Religious Purposes

This is a special visa given to applicants who want to travel to Belgium to participate in cultural or sporting events. In addition to that, this visa also grants permission to a film crew to shoot a film in Belgium. Documents required to be submitted to fulfill Belgium visa requirements for this category are:

  • Invitation letter from the above-mentioned authorities with details upon the nature of events or activities – purpose of visit , expense coverage
  • Names of the applicants (crew members)
  • Duration of stay
  • Travel itinerary

Belgian Schengen Visa for Members of Official Delegations

If the purpose of your travel is to attend intergovernmental meetings, consultations, negotiations or events, this is the visa you will need. The following documents will have to be shown to the embassy in order to be eligible for this visa:

  • The official invitation copy
  • Identity of applicant
  • Purpose of journey (negotiations, meetings, event by intergovernmental organizations, consultations)
  • Duration of stay
  • Place of accommodation 

Belgian Schengen Visa for Study, Training, Research, or other type of Internship Purposes

This category of visas is required only for applicants who intend to study in a Belgium institution, conduct research or even undergo some kind of educational training and internship for less than 6 months. The documents required to be eligible for this visa are the following:

  • An enrollment certificate allowing attendance of courses
  • Certificate of completion or courses attended
  • Financial sustenance 

Belgian Schengen Visa For The Wife/Husband of a Belgian citizen

This visa is for people whose spouses are from Belgium. The documents required to be eligible for this visa are the following:

  • Proof of Belgian citizenship (ID card or consular card or certification of Belgian nationality or naturalization order)
  • Belgian marriage certificate
  • Belgian family record book

Belgian Airport Transit Visa

As per Belgium visa requirements, a transit visa is required if you foresee a layover of a few hours in Belgium before heading to your destination. The documents required to be eligible for this visa are the following:

  • Visa or other type of entry permit in the transit country
  • Copy of your valid visa for your final destination 

Belgian Schengen Visa for Under-Age Children

  • Proof of parent’s regular income (work contract with specified monthly income or a bank statement or business license)
  • Notarized travel permission from parent (parental travel consent)
  • If one parent lives in another country – their notarized parental travel consent

*Note: When applying at the Belgian embassy/consulate in home country, the guardian or parent should accompany their under-age children.

Please consult with the Belgium Embassy in your country for the updated Belgium Visa requirements!

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