How to Apply for a Belgium Schengen Visa?

How to Apply for Belgium visa: Steps

• Step 1: Determine your Purpose for traveling to Belgium, which will determine the Type of visa you should apply for.
• Step 2: Determine how many Entries to Belgium/the Schengen area you need.
• Step 3: Gather your Required Documents.
• Step 4: Schedule a Schengen Visa appointment (if applicable).
  • Depending on the location of the consulate/visa center you are applying through, you will likely have to schedule an appointment in order to submit your application. Alternatively, you may be able to drop off your application without prior arrangement, so long as you do so during normal operating hours. Contact your consulate/visa center directly to find out if you need to schedule an appointment in order to submit your application.
• Step 5: Fill out the Belgium Visa application.
  • Different Belgian Consulates/visa processing centers may provide different ways of accessing applications. In general, applications for Belgian Schengen visas are lodged through Belgium’s online application portal, accessible here.
    • Register as a new user in order to create an online account, which will allow you to fill out your application online.
    • Once completed and electronically submitted, a copy will be emailed to you in PDF form. You will print out this copy, sign it, and submit it with the rest of your application materials at your subsequent visa appointment.
    • Once you have successfully submitted your application electronically, you will receive a prompt allowing you to schedule an in-person appointment at a Belgian Consulate/visa center. This is where you will submit the application as well as your Basic Required Documents.
  • In the event that you do not have access to Belgium’s online application portal, you may be able print out, sign, and submit the application form available online here.
• Step 6: Pay the application fee.
• Step 7: Submit your Belgium Schengen visa application (at least 15 days prior to travelling, not before 6 months).
  • Different Belgian consulates/processing centers have different procedures for submitting applications. In almost all cases, applications must be submitted in person to the consulate/center you are applying through. When you submit your application, you will likely also be asked to submit biometric data (fingerprints). Children younger than 12 years are exempt from having their fingerprints collected. However, facial photo capturing will be required irrespective of the age.

When to Apply for 

Submit your application at least 15 days prior to the day you intend to travel, and no earlier than 6 months before you leave.

Where to Apply

Applications for Schengen visas to Belgium should be submitted at either a Belgian Consulate or a visa application center that has a relationship with Belgium.

In countries where there is no Belgian consular presence, applications may be lodged via the consulate of a Schengen state representing Belgian consular interests.

Ideally, you will lodge your application in the country where you legally reside/are a citizen.

You can search for the Belgian Consulate/the visa application center closest to you by accessing the Belgium Schengen visa official site for consulates here.

Processing Time for Belgium Schengen Visa

The processing time for a Belgium Schengen visa is generally 15 days, although the current processing time is 30-85 days. Belgium Schengen visa processing times vary according to what type and category of visa you are applying for, as well as when you are applying (winter vs. summer, etc.).

If your Belgium visa was approved:

Collect your visa and make sure the information it contains is valid and complete.

If your Belgium  visa was denied:

If you have received a Schengen visa rejection for Belgium, you have a right to an appeal within 30 days of receiving your rejection.

You will likely receive a standard issued-Belgium Schengen visa refusal form outlining the detailed steps of the appeal process. You may then follow the steps to submit a formal request appealing the decision and declaring your reason for appealing.

Your appeal should be directed to the Conseil du Contentieux des étrangers at the following address:

Conseil du Contentieux des étrangers
Raad voor Vreemdelingenbetwistingen
Rue Gaucheret 92-94
B-1030 Brussels
Belgium

Finally, once you obtain your Schengen Visa for Belgium, please note the following:

Your visa may be revoked if you do not notify the Belgian Consulate/visa application center of any changes to your trip itinerary that occur after you have submitted your application.

Being approved for a Schengen visa does not guarantee you entry to either Belgium or the general Schengen area-you can still be refused entry to both places upon arrival.

Alternatively, you may have to show additional documents regarding your finances or accommodation in order to enter Belgium/the Schengen area.