A small Western European country Belgium proves attractive for millions of tourists annually. The rich history, magnificent architectural monuments of the Middle Ages and the most interesting museums make the state attractive for tourists from all over the world. In addition, the main offices of the European Union, NATO, Benelux are located in the capital of Belgium - Brussels . If you intend to visit the country, we will tell you if you need a visa to Belgium. Do not get around the topic of how to get it, if necessary.
Do I need a visa to Belgium?
It's no secret that Belgium is a member of the Schengen area, and therefore requires a special authorization document to cross its borders. This applies to the CIS countries, including the Russian Federation. Thus, a Schengen visa will be required to visit Belgium, which will allow you to visit not only the starting point of your tour, but also many other countries - Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Hungary, etc.
How to apply for a visa to Belgium independently?
To obtain this document, you need to apply to the embassy in the capital or to one of the consular departments of Belgium, which are usually located in large cities.
Documents are submitted depending on the purpose of the trip to one of the Schengen visa categories. A category C visa that is issued for short trips (for example, rest, business trips, visits to friends, relatives) is issued for 90 days, and only for six months. If you are traveling to Belgium because of training, work, marriage, family reunion, then a long-term visa for category D.
For a category C visa, you need to prepare the following documents:
- International passport. In this case, it must operate for a minimum of 3 months and have 1 sheet, not stamped on both sides. You should also provide photocopies of the passport pages.
- Inactive foreign passports. They are needed in the event that the Schengen visa has already been drawn up in them. Do not forget about the copies.
- Copies of the civil passport.
- A questionnaire providing personal information about the applicant (name, date and country of birth, citizenship, marital status), purpose and duration of the trip. A document to be completed in French, Dutch or English is signed by the applicant.
- Photo. They are made in color in an amount of 2 pieces measuring 3.5x4.5 cm, on a light background.
- Various supporting documents and their copies : reservation of the hotel room, air tickets, references from the work on financial possibilities (for example, a certificate of salary, a statement from a bank account). For business trips, an invitation is provided from the Belgian organization on the company's letterhead. For travel to relatives, you must provide proof of relationship documents.
- Medical policy covering a minimum of 30 thousand euros.
If you are talking about what documents are needed for a long-term visa to Belgium, then in addition to the above, you should provide:
- For study in the country: a document confirming the receipt of the scholarship; certificate of admission to the university; a medical certificate valid for six months, received at a medical center that is accredited at the Embassy of Belgium.
- For work in the country:
medical certificate, work permit of type B or professional card, certificate of criminal record.
How to get a visa to Belgium on your own?
The prepared package of documents must be submitted to the visa department of the Consulate of Belgium. And this should be done personally to the applicant.
Documents for obtaining an access document to Belgium are generally considered for a minimum of 10 working days. The visa fee will cost 35 euros for a short visa. Registration of a long-term visa will cost the applicant 180 euros.