A Comprehensive Guide to Belgium Visas

Millions of people from around the world apply for Belgium visas every single year. From its lively, historically rich cities like Brussels or Antwerp, to its scenic coastline, Belgium is a popular country for tourists and travelers.

Many travelers will need to do a little bit of prep work before they head to Belgium – and this includes visa applications. In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about Belgium visas.

Do you need a visa to go to Belgium?

Sometimes. 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, Russia, and more.

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.

Who doesn’t need a visa to go to Belgium?

Residents of the Schengen area 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. 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 do I apply 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 health insurance (which is a requirement for all Belgian visas).

Once you prepare all of the necessary documents, you’ll get an appointment online to bring all of your documents to the Belgium consulate (in your home country) to submit your application.

Can I apply for a Belgium visa online?

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

In the coming years, Belgium 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 Belgium 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 Belgium visa application is approved.

What is the rejection rate for Belgium visas?

The global Belgium rejection rate in 2023 was 26.62%, but that number needs to be taken with a grain of salt. 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.

What is the processing time for Belgium visas?

Processing time for Belgium visas depends on the type of visa. Typically, processing takes between 15-30 days. However, Belgium long-term visas (sometimes called national visas) can take longer.

Belgium visa application requirements

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

Which documents are required when applying for a Belgium visa?

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
• Schengen travel insurance coverage with a minimum of €30,000
• Proof of accommodation
• Proof of funds for your stay
• A flight itinerary

Belgium tourist visa requirements and visitor visa requirements (type C, short-stay)

For short stays (under 90 days), you'll need to provide the essential documents listed above.

There are a few types of Belgium short-stay visas to choose from, including:

• Belgium tourist visa: For travelers visiting Belgium for sightseeing or leisure.
• Belgium business visa: For attending meetings, conferences, or participating in other business-related activities.
• Belgium family or friends visit visa: For those visiting family or friends residing in Belgium.
• Cultural/Sports events visa: For attending or participating in cultural, religious, sports, or artistic events.
• Belgium medical visa: For those seeking medical treatment in Belgium.
• Belgium transit visa: For travelers passing through Belgium on their way to another destination outside the Schengen zone.

Long-stay Belgium visa requirements (type D, long-stay)

If you’re planning a trip that exceeds 90 days, you’ll need additional documents such as proof of residency, income, and possibly a work contract or school admission letter. The exact requirements will depend on the type of visa. When you apply, the visa center or consulate will provide you with a list of which documents you will need to present.

There are a variety of types of Belgium long-stay visas, including work, study, family reunification, and more.

Belgium digital nomad visa requirements

As of now, Belgium doesn’t offer a digital nomad visa.

Is there an interview when applying for a Belgian visa?

Currently, interviews are mandatory when applying for a Belgium 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.

How much does a Belgium visa cost?

Visa fees depend on the type of visa and whether you’re an adult or a minor. 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, application is free. Long-stay visa prices may vary.

Keep in mind that these fees are nonrefundable regardless of approval or denial, as they are application fees.

Always check the latest fees for your specific visa.

Do I need to apply for ETIAS if I have a Belgium visa?

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 2025 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, and therefore won’t require ETIAS.

Who needs ETIAS to visit Belgium?

Citizens from countries that don’t require a visa to enter the Schengen zone, including the US, Canada, and Australia, will need ETIAS approval for short stays in Belgium from 2025 on.

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.

Does my Belgium visa allow me to travel through the Schengen zone?

Yes! 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 may vary. Always check your specific visa permissions before confirming your travel plans.

Can I go anywhere in Europe with a Belgium 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.

Key takeaways for Belgium visas

• There are a variety of types of visas for Belgium.
• Each visa type has specific document requirements for a Belgium visa application.
• Belgium is part of the Schengen zone.
• To apply, you must have Schengen-compliant travel insurance, and proof of it at the time of your visa appointment.
• To apply, in most cases, you must have proof of sufficient funds, a flight itinerary, and proof of accommodation.
• Some visas allow you to work abroad, others don’t.
• Processing times vary from 15 days to more.
• You must apply for a Belgium visa in-person at a visa center or Belgian consulate/embassy.
• In the coming years, you will be able to apply for a Belgium visa online with EU VAP.