Belgium visa requirements for Indians

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for Indians visiting Belgium

Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to apply for a Belgian Visa.

  • A duly completed Schengen visa application form.
  • An original passport with a validity of at least 3 months after exiting from Belgium.
  • Two blank pages for visa stamps.
  • Three identical passport-sized photographs that meet the Belgium visa photo specification. 
  • A UK visa checklist (Due to Schengen visa rules).
  • Two documents supporting your Belgian visa application such as a copy of the application form pages and a copy of the Schengen visa.
  • Biometrics would also be required.
  • Previous visas in the case where the applicant has been to any Schengen state before.
  • Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
  • Proof of financial capability for the duration of stay.
  • Proof of accommodation or hotel reservations.
  • A valid travel medical insurance with a minimum coverage of £30,000.
  • Copy of return flight ticket.
  • Copy of travel itinerary.
  • Return flight ticket to India (Short-stay travelers).
  • Repatriation commitment note (Long-stay travelers).

Belgium Visa for Indians

Facts about Belgium

Belgium is a prime tourist site due to its historical landmark, modern architecture and rural idylls. Also, the country is visited by a lot of business tourists. The country is also famous for its long traditions in arts, fashion, and its cuisine. Tourists in the country can be guaranteed of a very good time as there are a lot of things to see all over the city and activities like hiking, biking and camping to engage in. While in the country, there are various festivals to attend at different periods throughout the year. Mussels, Balletjes, Stoemp, Waffles, and other special Belgian delicacies will leave you asking for more, be sure to try these cuisines out.
 
Tourism in Belgium has been on the up since 2009. The number of visitors who visited Belgium in 2009 was just over 12 million which increased to 16 million in 2017. It has been estimated that these numbers will continue to increase in the years to come. The tourism industry generates about 2.8% of Belgium’s gross domestic product and employs about 3.3% of the working population.
 
Foreigners are not allowed to enter or leave the country with more €10,000 or its equivalent in any currency. Avoid wearing expensive jewellery and watches as this may attract petty criminals to you.

Types of Belgium Visa

Types of Visa Processing Time Duration of Stay
Visitor Visa 1-3 months More than 90 days
Transit visa 2 weeks 1-5 years
Tourist visa 1 month 90 days

General Requirements for Belgium Visa

  • A duly completed Schengen visa application form.
  • An original passport with a validity of at least 3 months after exiting from Belgium.
  • Two blank pages for visa stamps.
  • Three identical passport-sized photographs that meet the Belgium visa photo specification. 
  • A UK visa checklist (Due to Schengen visa rules).
  • Two documents supporting your Belgian visa application such as a copy of the application form pages and a copy of the Schengen visa.
  • Biometrics would also be required.
  • Previous visas in the case where the applicant has been to any Schengen state before.
  • Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
  • Proof of financial capability for the duration of stay.
  • Proof of accommodation or hotel reservations.
  • A valid travel medical insurance with a minimum coverage of £30,000.
  • Copy of return flight ticket.
  • Copy of travel itinerary.
  • Return flight ticket to India (Short-stay travelers).
  • Repatriation commitment note (Long-stay travelers).
Belgium Visitor Visa Belgium Transit visa Belgium Tourist visa

Belgium Short-Stay Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The short-stay Schengen visa is issued to foreigners who intend to travel to any Schengen state for a short period. 
  • This visa is referred to as the Type-C Schengen visa.
  • Belgium is a Schengen state and the rules for the Schengen visa apply to Belgium visas.
  • Travelers on this visa go to Belgium for reasons such as business trips, holiday or to visit relatives.
  • For the short-stay visa, the reasons or purposes for travelers' visits would be clearly stated on their visas. The purpose of your trip to Belgium must be plausible and comprehensible.
  • Applicants' passports should be valid for at least 6 months beyond their stay in Belgium.
  • Passports that contain illegible data cannot be accepted and your passport must not be damaged.
  • The short-stay visa is valid for up to 90 days within a 180 day period in Belgium. Your date of entry starts your 180- day period.
  • The Schengen visas can be issued for one, two or multiple entries. These entries depend on the visa holder’s reason for travel. 
  • If you will be leaving and re-entering the Schengen area during your visit, you will need to apply for a double or multiple-entry visa.   
  • The submission of a visa can be done by the applicant, the travel agent or a third party such as a family member. 

Belgium Long-Stay Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This visa is issued to foreigners who want to stay in Belgium for a period longer than 90 days.
  • This visa is referred to as the Type-D Schengen visa or the National visa.
  • This visa is issued to foreigners for purposes such as joining a spouse/family member, taking up a job, studying and conducting research.
  • To be issued this visa, your reasons must be clearly stated and will be duly indicated on your visa.
  • The national visa grants entry to Belgium on the basis that you will be applying for a residence permit.
  • It allows you to enter Belgium as a potential resident and stay while you apply for residency. 
  • You are expected to convert your visa into a residence permit within three months of arriving in Belgium. 
  • Your visa can only be converted into the corresponding type of residence permit (a visa for work must be converted into a working residence permit).
  • As a foreign national, you are not permitted to work in Belgium unless this was expressly stated when applying for a visa.
  • Applicants applying for this visa must appear in person at the embassy for their biometrics registration. They would also be required to have a live digital photo.
  • Applicants are required to submit a police report stating that they have no criminal record in India.
  • Note that your passports must be valid for 12 months and applications should be made within 3 months of the proposed date of arrival into Belgium.

Belgium Transit Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • Foreigners intending to make short stops in Belgium can do so with this visa.
  • This visa allows foreigners to alight from an airplane in a Belgian airport and board another flight going to their destination.
  • Flight tickets of your destination country should be presented during the visa application.
  • The visa of your destination country must be provided.
  • If you are under the age of 18, the unabridged original copy of your birth certificate should be provided.
  • Previously convicted foreigners may be refused entry into the country.
  • Receipt of payment of visa application fee is required.
  • You are not allowed to study while you are in the country.
  • Proof that you have the incentive to return to your country after your visa has expired is required.
  • The visa is valid for 5 days.
  • You are required to exit the country before the expiry of your visa.
  • There is no extension to the transit visa. 

Belgium Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Visitor Visa

Long-Stay Visa

120.00 (EUR)

Transit visa

60.00 (EUR)

Tourist visa

Short-Stay Visa

60.00 (EUR)

Belgium Visa Application Centres & Embassies in India

Location

Address

Belgian Embassy New Delhi

50-N Shantipath, Chanakyapuri 110021 New Delhi India.

newdelhi.visa@diplobel.fed.be

+91 11 424 280 00

Consulate General of Belgium in Chennai

18, 3rd Floor, YAFA Tower, Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600006

chennai@diplobel.fed.be

+91 44 404 855 00

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to make an appointment before submitting my visa?

Yes, it is highly important that applicants schedule an appointment with the Belgium embassy or consulate in India. It is only after this that they would be allowed to submit an application. 


Within what time are applications accepted?

Applications are accepted within 3 months of the requested date of arrival in Belgium. The application submitted before then would not be attended to. You are to book an appointment via the email of the embassy.

Can I work in Belgium with a tourist visa?

Visitors in Belgium are not allowed to take up paid employment without a work permit. If you are a student with a valid residence permit, you may work for up to 20 hours per week during school sessions or full-time when school is on break.

How safe is Belgium to travel to?
Belgium is probably one of the safest countries in Europe. However, petty crimes such as muggings, bag snatching, and pick-pocketing are common in tourist areas, so it's important to use common sense when outside.