The Essential Guide to Belgium Long Stay Visas

Traveling to Belgium for an extended period comes with a long list of things to do to prepare. Usually, this begins with the visa.

Most travelers heading to Belgium for longer than 90 days need to apply for a visa - this includes both US and UK citizens.

In this guide, we will take a look at different types of Belgium visas, their requirements, tips for applying, and more.

Do keep in mind that you should always check official embassy websites for the most accurate and up-to-date information when it comes to visas and travel regulations.

Who needs a long stay visa for Belgium?

If the following criteria apply to you, you likely need to obtain a long stay visa before traveling to Belgium:

• You are going to be in Belgium (or the Schengen area in general) for more than 90 days.
• You are not an EU/EEA/Schengen country citizen.

What is a Belgium long stay visa?

Belgium is a member of a group of countries referred to as the "Schengen zone". All countries in this group follow a similar set of rules when it comes to people entering and leaving their countries.

To stay in any Schengen country for longer than 90 days (including Belgium), a visa is required. When it comes to terminology, visas longer than 90 days in duration are called long stay visas.

You may also see the terms national visa and type D visa. These are all the same thing, just another way they are sometimes referred to.

Types of Belgium long stay visas

There are several types of long stay visas for Belgium, and the one you need depends on why you're planning to spend time there.

For instance, if you are studying abroad, you will need a different visa than if you are traveling for work.

Keep in mind that this is not an inclusive list of every single type of long stay visa available in Belgium. To see a comprehensive list, you should visit the Belgium Embassy's official website.

Long stay work visas for Belgium

In order to work in Belgium, there are a few things that you need to know.

• You will need either a work permit or a professional card. Work permits are for employees, meaning you work for a company. Professional cards are for self-employed individuals, meaning you own a business/are a freelancer/etc.
• Belgian regions are responsible for managing foreign workers. These regions are the Brussels-Capital Region, the Flemish Region, the German-speaking Community, and the Walloon Region.
• Workers in Belgium have to apply for residency.

Belgium long stay visa for private employees

If you are an employee of a company and must work in Belgium for several months, this visa might apply to you. The same is true if you're an au pair or a researcher.

This visa allows you to reside and work in Belgium for an extended period of time. In order to apply, you will need to present a number of documents, including:

• A completed visa application form that includes a notarized signature.
• A passport that is less than 10 years old and has a minimum of 2 blank pages left. These pages have to be next to each other (side by side).
• A photocopy of your passport photo page..
• One recent passport-sized photograph. It has to be in color with a white background.
• You have to pay any/all visa fees.
• Your work/residence authorization. If you are an employee, your company must apply for the work permit on your behalf. Make sure you start up conversations with your workplace if you haven't discussed this yet.
• Some workers will need to provide a medical certificate in their application. Depending on the doctor who conducts your exam, their signature may need to be notarized and apostilled. The consulate/application center where you apply for your visa will give you a list of which documents apply to your situation.
• Additionally, some workers will also need to supply a criminal history from the FBI. Again, the consulate/application center will let you know if you need to provide this or not.

Belgium long stay visas for self-employed professionals

If you are self-employed and need to carry out business in Belgium for longer than 90 days, you may need a visa and professional card.

To apply, you will need to provide:

For the professional card:

• A completed application form from the region in which you're applying.
• Two copies of the photo page of your passport. Your passport needs to be less than 10 years old, have 15 months of remaining validity beyond your intended stay in the Schengen zone, and have a minimum of 2 blank pages remaining. These page sneed to be next to each other.
• Two color "passport" photos. It needs to be less than 6 months old and taken against a white background.
• An FBI criminal history record.

For the visa:

• A completed visa application form. If you're mailing it, the signature must be notarized.
• Your passport (with the same specs listed above).
• Proof of payment for both the applicable administration fees and consular fees.
• Your professional card approval (and a copy of it).
• A medical certificate (and a copy). This certificate needs to be less than 6 months old. If the physician isn't an affiliated doctor, their signature will need to be notarized and then apostilled.

Please note: Always check the Belgian Embassy's official website for the most accurate visa types and requirements.

Other types of work visas

There are other types of work permits in addition to the ones listed above. Some of them include seasonal workers, trainees, volunteers, working holiday programs (for citizens of specific countries), and more. The Belgian Embassy has a list of all of the available types of applications available.

Visa for studying abroad in Belgium

Belgium offers visas specifically for students looking to study abroad. If you're planning on studying abroad for more than 90 days, and aren't an EU/EEA/Schengen country citizen, you will need to apply for a long stay visa. Typically, you'll need to apply in person through a visa application center in your country of residence.

Long stay study abroad requirements (Belgium)

To apply, you will need to include the following documentation in your application. Always check with the Belgian Embassy for the most updated/accurate list of requirements.

• A copy of your valid passport.
• A certificate from a Belgian higher educational institute that confirms your enrollment.
• Proof of sufficient means (proof that you can provide for yourself financially during the entire duration of your stay in Belgium).
• Proof of compliant medical insurance.
• A recent medical certificate proving you do not have any diseases listed in Belgium's annex to the Act of 15 December 1980.
• A recent criminal record with certain criteria (if over the age of 18).
• Proof of consent from legal guardian(s) (if under the age of 18).
• Proof of payment (visa fees, any applicable service fees, etc.)

There are many different situations for students. You could be traveling through a program that your current university offers, through an international program that you found on your own, or as an exchange student.

Depending on your unique situation, there may be varying requirements, so always act on advice found directly on official immigration websites.

Visas for joining family in Belgium

When joining a family member in Belgium, such as a parent, child, or spouse, you will need to apply for a family reunification visa.

Whether or not you are eligible to apply for family reunification depends on a few factors, including your nationality, family relationship, and even age.

In general, regardless of the specific visa, there are a few documents you have to have in order to apply for a long stay visa to join your family member(s) in Belgium. These documents include:

• A valid passport that:
• A recent passport-sized photograph that is:
• Proof of Schengen-compliant travel medical insurance.
• Proof of relationship with the family member in Belgium.

While those documents are generally required to apply for a family reunification visa in Belgium, there may be additional documents you have to provide in your application, depending on your case.

Long stay visas for dependents of Belgian citizens

If you are a dependant of a Belgian citizen, you may be able to apply for a long stay visa to join them in Belgium. Dependents can include parents, children, and spouses/partners.

To apply, you'll have to supply the documents listed above, but you'll also need to show proof that your Belgian family member can afford to host you and has room/sufficient lodging to host you. You will also need to show an authorized resident permit or Belgian ID card.

Long stay visas for dependents of legal workers in Belgium

If your spouse, parent, or child has the legal right to live and work in Belgium, you may be able to join them - even if they aren't Belgian citizens.

In addition to the documents listed above, you will need to provide a recent criminal history record and a recent medical certificate. You'll also need to provide proof of sufficient funds/accommodations while in Belgium.

Other family reunification visas

There are other visas available, and information can be found on the official Belgium Embassy website. You should always look there to find the most accurate, actionable information.