Visa and Passport

Passport :
Belgium Passport is valid for at least 3 months after period of intended stay required by all except:

(a) nationals of EU countries in possession of a national ID card;
(b) nationals of Andorra, Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco, San Marino and Switzerland in possession of a national ID card.

› Visa :
Belgium Visa is required by all except the following for stays of up to 3 months:
(a) nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR), Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Korea (Rep. of), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Macau (SAR), Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Switzerland, Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela for a stay of up to 3 months.

Types of visa for Belgium : A uniform type of visa, the Schengen visa, is issued for tourist, business and private visits. There are three main types of Schengen visa: Short-stay (Tourist and Business), Transit and Airport transit. Prices depend on type of visa and prevalent rate of exchange but range between £7 and £35.

Note: Spouses and children (under 18 years) of EU nationals receive their visas free of charge (enquire at Embassy for details). The original marriage certificate, the spouse's passport and the birth certificate(s) for the child/children must be produced.

› Validity : Short-stay (single- and multiple-entry): usually valid for 6 months from date of issue for stays of maximum 30 or 90 days per entry. Transit (single- and multiple-entry): valid for a maximum of 5 days per entry, including the day of arrival. Visas cannot be extended and a new application must be made each time.

› Application to : Consulate (or Consular Section at Embassy); see Address section. Travellers visiting just one Schengen country should apply to the Consulate of that country; travelers visiting more than one Schengen country should apply to the Consulate of the country chosen as the main destination or the country they will enter first (if they have no main destination). The following nationals must always apply in person before a visa can be processed; Albania, Algeria, Belgium (PR), CIS, Congo (Dem. Rep. of), Cuba, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Slovak Republic, Sudan, Surinam, Syrian Arab Republic and Yemen.

› Application requirements :
(a) Belgium Passport or official travel documents valid for at least 3 months after proposed stay with blank pages to affix visa stamp.
(b) 1 application form.
(c) 1 passport-size photo.
(d) Evidence of sufficient funds to cover stay.
(e) Proof of purpose of stay such as a letter of invitation from a host in Belgium, a return ticket or hotel booking.
(f) Letter from employer or from solicitor or bank manager if self-employed. If a student, letter from school or college confirming attendance.
(g) Stamped, self-addressed registered envelope for postal applications.
(h) Fee (payable by postal order only).
(i) Return ticket(s) to country of residence for some nationalities.