The visa is in the form of a sticker that the consulate inserts in the passport.
It gives permission to reside in Belgium or to travel there for a specified period.
The granting of the visa is the responsibility of the FPS Foreign Affairs.
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There are different types of visas:
When you apply for a visa at the embassy or consulate, you will be told directly what type of visa you need.
For EU nationals:
In general, for EU nationals, the identity card or a passport is sufficient.
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For foreigners:
To come to Belgium as a foreigner, you must be able to produce specific identity and residence documents, otherwise, you will be refused access to Belgian territory.
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Foreigners who have another nationality may need a visa:
A. SHORT TERM (WHICH ALLOWS YOU TO STAY FOR A MAXIMUM DURATION OF 90 DAYS IN BELGIUM).
Examples:
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Family or friend visit
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Cultural or sporting event
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Business trip
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Short internship
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Transit through the Schengen territory
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Medical treatment
B. SHORT TERM BUT ANTICIPATING AN EXTENDED STAY IN BELGIUM.
Examples:
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A marriage or cohabitation visa with a Belgian or non-European Union citizen
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Entry visa for family members of Union citizens - Directive 2004/38/EC
What is a long term visa in Belgium?
A long-term visa allows you to stay in Belgium for more than 90 days.
Examples of long-term visas:
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Family reunification
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Single permit
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Professional card
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Studies
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Entrance exam
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Internship in a company or at the European Union
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Au pair
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Please note: To be able to reside in Belgium after your visa has expired, you will need another residence document.
Here are the different ways to obtain a residence permit in Belgium:
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Study in Belgium
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Request a regularization of stay
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European citizens
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Family reunification
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Acquisition of nationality
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Single permit
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Professional card
The visa must be requested from the Belgian embassy or consulate of the country where you live.
If there is no Belgian embassy or consulate in the country where you live, you must contact the Belgian embassy which is responsible for your country. This is usually located in one of the neighboring countries.
The visa application process can in some cases take a long time. Therefore, submit your application at least four weeks before your departure.
On the website of the FPS Foreign Affairs, you will find all the information necessary to obtain a visa for Belgium . You can also request information from the Belgian embassy or the local Belgian consulate.
If you travel regularly to Belgium, you must count the number of days already spent in the Schengen area during the 180-day period preceding each day of this new stay. To help you calculate the number of days of stay still authorized, use the electronic calculator.
Enter your data by following these instructions:
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The date of entry is considered the first day of stay in the Schengen area;
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The exit date is considered the last day of stay;
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Periods of stay authorized under cover of a residence permit or a long-stay visa (D visa) are not taken into consideration for the calculation of the duration of stay in the Schengen area.
Note that the result obtained is not legally binding.