Belgium Information
Joined: 18 Oct 2006
Posts: 21
Home Country: belgium
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 Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 9:51 am Post subject: VISA TO BELGIUM/ BELGIUM VISA GUIDE |
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VISA TO BELGIUM
Requirements and Application Procedures
Whether or not you need a visa to enter Belgium depends on a variety of factors: your nationality, the length of your intended stay, the reason for your visit or stay and what other documents you’ve applied for or received.
Nationals of the 15 European Union countries don’t need a visa to enter any of the Belgium countries, whether for a short or long stay. You are, however, subject to various registration requirements, particularly if you’re staying longer than 90 days. Nationals of other countries may or may not be subject to visa requirements (welcome to the wonderful world of bureaucracy!). The embassy or consulate of the country you’re going to is usually the best source of information, but the regulations are complicated and subject to change, and consular officials aren’t always entirely au fait with the latest interpretations or nuances. Don’t be surprised if you receive confusing or even contradictory information from different officials, or if you’re asked to provide documents or information in addition to the general requirements listed here.
Belgium is signatory of the Schengen agreement (signed in Schengen, Luxembourg), which permits free movement within the EU member countries, currently Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. Each member nation retains the right to refuse to allow you to enter, even with a valid visa, for any number of reasons including ‘just cause’ (which can sometimes be interpreted as ‘just ’cause we don’t like the look of you’). However, unless you’re obviously carrying drugs or other contraband or act as though you may be smuggling in refugees or illegal immigrants, you probably won’t even have to slow down as you cross the various Schengen borders.
For visits of up to 90 days within any six month period, tourists from North and South America, most non-EU European countries and many Pacific Rim countries don’t require a visa. If you’re going to Belgium to conduct business or engage in a remunerated activity, even for a short period, you should check with the consulate to see whether some form of business visa or professional card is required. If you’re a non-EU resident staying in Belgium longer than 90 days, you must have a visa stamped in your passport before you enter the country and should apply in person to your local consulate or embassy long before leaving home.
Types of Visa
Short-stay Visa: For those who require a visa for stays of up to 90 days, the most common type of visa issued is the Schengen visa, which allows you freedom of movement within the ten nations of the Schengen agreement. You must apply for the visa of the country that is your primary destination during your stay, i.e. either where you’ll be staying the longest or, in some cases, the country where you’ll enter the Schengen zone. Requirements for a Schengen visa vary slightly from country to country, but generally include: a passport valid at least three months past your intended departure date, an application form and one or more current photographs, proof of the purpose of your stay, confirmed lodging, sufficient funds to cover the costs of your stay and a return airline ticket. Processing the application can take a month or more, so plan accordingly.
Resident Visa: Nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway and Switzerland don’t require a long-stay visa for stays of over 90 days unless they’re planning to work or start a business. Citizens of all other non-EU countries must apply for a long-stay visa at the appropriate consulate or embassy in their country of residence and must have the visa stamped in their passport before travelling. Visas cannot be obtained or changed once you’re in Belgium.
To apply for a long-stay visa, you’ll need a passport that’s valid for at least three months beyond the first anniversary of your intended arrival date plus some or all of the following documents:
* a legalised birth certificate (i.e. with apostille) and translation for each member of your family;
* legalised (apostille) copies of marriage or divorce certificates with translations, as applicable;
* a medical certificate from an approved doctor (the consulate or embassy will give you a list);
* the completed application form(s);
* passport-type photos (one to six or more, depending on the circumstances);
* a work permit (if you’re planning to work) or evidence that your employer has applied for a work permit for you;
* evidence of eligibility to practise your trade in the country (if you’re self-employed, a journalist or in some other regulated profession) or a professional card, which serves as a work permit for some self-employed trades;
* a police report (sometimes called a ‘certificate of good conduct’);
* proof of financial resources (if you aren’t going to take up employment);
* proof of health insurance;
* if a student, evidence of admission from an approved educational establishment;
* if an au pair, a copy of your agreement with a host family.
If you require a visa to enter the country and attempt to do so without one, you’ll be refused entry. Note that Belgium generally requires you to have a work permit or evidence that your employer has applied for one on your behalf before you can even apply for a long-stay visa or residence permit. If you’re in doubt as to whether you require a visa, enquire at the appropriate consulate before making any travel plans. Long-stay visa applications often take at least three months to be approved and can take much longer.
There are several different sorts of residence visas, depending on whether you’re coming to Belgium for employment, to retire or to join your spouse or other family members. It’s possible to obtain a residence visa if you’re going to Belgium to marry or live in a stable relationship with a Belgian citizen or someone already legally residing in Belgium, but there are additional documents you must submit with your visa application, including evidence that the person already in Belgium is able to support a foreign spouse or partner.
If you’re going to Belgium for employment and aren’t from the EU, your prospective employer must apply for a work permit first; once that has been issued, you can apply for your residence visa. The Belgian embassy advises that the visa process can take up to a year, so don’t buy your travel tickets until your visa has been approved. A good place to check current information on visa requirements is official websites (www.belgium-emb.org or www.diplobel.org). |
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