A 2026 Guide to Belgium Schengen Visas

Thousands of travelers apply for visas to visit Belgium each year. In 2025, 263,617 people submitted Schengen visa applications there.

We created this article to help you go through the Schengen visa application process more easily. While it can seem intimidating at first, the process is pretty straightforward, with easy-to-follow steps.

In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about Belgium visas - whether or not you need one, what the requirements are, and how to apply so you can get all of the permissions you need to travel to this beautiful country.

Who needs a visa?

It depends. Whether or not you need a visa to visit Belgium depends on the length/purpose of your visit and your nationality.

If you are a citizen of a country that does not have a visa-waiver agreement with the Schengen area, you will need a visa to visit Belgium. This includes citizens of India, China, and more.

Some countries have visa-waiver agreements with the Schengen area. This means that their citizens can travel to any country in the Schengen area for up to 90 days without needing a visa. Some of these countries include the US, UK, and Canada, though there are others as well.

Citizens of countries that don't have these agreements need to apply for a visa before entering any country in the zone.

Do US citizens need a visa for Belgium?

It depends on how long you’re staying in Belgium and why. For short stays (90 days or less) for tourism or business, US citizens do not need a visa to travel to Belgium.

If you’re planning on staying for longer than 90 days, or for a specific reason like studying abroad, you will need to apply for a Belgium visa from the USA (of your current country of residence).

Some travelers don't require a visa

Residents of the Schengen area/EU and nationals from countries with visa-free agreements can go to Belgium without a visa. It’s important to note that there may be time restrictions, though. For example, US citizens can visit Belgium without a visa, but only for up to 90 days.

Citizens from the UK, US, Canada, Australia, Japan, and others do not need a visa to visit Belgium for short trips.

How long can you stay in Belgium without a visa?

If you're visa-exempt, you can stay in Belgium for up to 90 days in a 180 day period. This means that once you've reached the 90-day limit, you must leave not only Belgium but the entire Schengen area, for a minimum of 90 days before you can return.

That said, you can stay up to 90 days for travel and visiting. If you're hoping to work (even remotely), you need to apply for the appropriate visa.

Applying for a Belgium visa

There are a few steps in the Belgium visa application process, and it all starts with understanding what type of visa you need for your visit. After you know which visa you’ll be applying for, you can begin gathering all of the necessary documents, as well as securing your accommodations and travel insurance (which is a requirement for all Belgian visas).

Once you prepare all of the necessary documents, you’ll book an appointment at a visa application center (or in some cases, a Belgian consulate/embassy) in your country of residence.

At this appointment, you will bring all of your documents and submit them in person.

Can I apply for a Belgian visa online?

Currently, no. All Belgium visa applicants must apply in person at a Belgium consulate in their country of residence.

In the coming years, Belgian visas (and all Schengen area visas) will be available online through an official platform called EU VAP. This system is still being developed but is expected to be fully operational by 2030.

Is a Belgian visa difficult to get?

The application process for Belgium visas is relatively straightforward. Whether or not you will receive approval, on the other hand, is another story.

Only embassies can decide whether or not a visa application for Belgium is approved.

What is the rejection rate for Belgium visas?

The global Belgium rejection rate in 2025 was 26.1%, which is 6% higher than it was in 2024 (at 24.6 percent).

The rejection rate can be different for each nationality and can change regularly without notice. Applicants from one nationality might have a much higher acceptance rate than those from another. This number is impacted by a lot of factors – nationality, seasonality, visa type, and more.

How long it takes

Processing time for Belgium visas depends on the type of visa you're applying for. For most Schengen visas, processing takes about 15 days once the file is actually submitted.

However, Belgium long-term visas (sometimes called national visas or Type D visas) can take longer.

Belgium visa application requirements

There are a variety of types of Belgian visas, and each visa has its own specific requirements. In most cases, Belgian visitor visas have the lowest number of requirements. It’s also the most common visa. Here is a variety of Belgian visas and what’s required of each.

Required documents

No matter which Belgium visa you're applying for, there will be a set of essential documents you'll need to provide.

Most visa applications require:

• A valid passport (with 3 months of validity beyond your extended stay).
• A completed visa application form.
• Passport-sized photos.
• Travel insurance that meets Schengen visa travel insurance requirements.
• Proof of accommodation.
• Proof of funds for your stay.
• A flight itinerary.

In-person appointments

Currently, interviews are mandatory when applying for a Belgian visa. In addition to collecting the required documents, in most cases, you’ll need to schedule an appointment at a visa center or consulate in your country of residence.

In the coming years, the Schengen visa process (thus, the Belgium visa process) will be online through a legitimate platform called EU VAP, but it is not available quite yet.

Belgium visa costs

Visa fees depend on the type of visa and whether you’re an adult or a minor when applying. The cost for a Schengen visa for adults is €90. For children ages 6-12, it's 45 euros. For children under the age of 6, the application is free.

Long-stay visa prices vary.

Keep in mind that these fees are nonrefundable regardless of approval or denial, as they are application fees. In addition to this, visa application centers also charge fees ,which you will need to pay as well.

Always check the latest fees for your specific visa.

ETIAS vs Belgium visas

Applying for ETIAS is not required if you already have a valid Schengen visa. However, if you’re from a visa-exempt country, such as the US, you will need to apply for ETIAS before traveling to Belgium from 2026 on.

When we say visa-exempt, we are talking about short-stays (under 90 days). If you want to stay in Belgium for longer than 90 days, you will likely need to apply for a long-stay Schengen visa (unless you are an EU/Schengen country citizen), and therefore won’t require ETIAS.

You can learn more in our Belgium ETIAS guide.

Is Belgium part of the Schengen zone?

Yes, Belgium is part of the Schengen zone. This means that travelers can move freely between Belgium and other Schengen nations without having to pass through border control once they are inside.

Traveling with your visa

If you have a Schengen visa, you can travel within all 29 Schengen countries during the validity of your visa.

It's worth noting that in some uncommon circumstances, travel authorization can vary. Always check your specific visa permissions before confirming your travel plans.

Can I go anywhere in Europe with a Belgian visa?

A Belgian Schengen visa allows travel to all Schengen member countries, but it does not cover non-Schengen countries like the UK or Ireland.

FAQs: Belgian visas

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