Belgium is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen
Agreement.
Since March 1995, a 'borderless' region known as the Schengen
area has been declared covering the following states:
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal,
Spain and Sweden.
Schengen countries now issue standard Schengen visas,
and nationals holding visas issued by one of the Schengen
countries are, in principle, permitted to travel freely within
the borders of all 15. However, since Schengen states are
still free to decide their own visa requirements, entry regulations
may vary and nationals not requiring a visa for one Schengen
country may require one for other Schengen countries. This
has various practical implications and for example, travellers
may be refused entry to a Schengen country for which they
do not require a visa if holding onward tickets to a country
for which they do require a visa. Travellers should check
with the authorities of the country they intend to visit as
to whether they require a visa to enter. If visiting more
than 1 Schengen country, the traveller should apply for the
Schengen visa to the Embassy/Consulate of the first or main
country to be visited.
There are 3 types of Schengen visa: Airport Transit,
Transit and Short-stay visas. For
stays of over 3 months, a long-stay visa will be required,
and will be valid only in the country of issue.
PASSPORTS
Passport valid for at least 3 months after the last day of
the intended visit required by all except:
a. 1. nationals of EU countries with a valid national ID card
(except for nationals of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia,
Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovak Republic, Slovenia,
Sweden and the UK, who always require a valid passport)
b. nationals of Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino
and Switzerland, in possession of a national ID card.
c. 2. nationals of Andorra, Austria, France, Liechtenstein,
Luxembourg, Monaco, Portugal, San Marino, Spain and Sweden
with passports expired up to five years previously
d. 3. nationals of Germany with a passport expired up to 1
year previously.
VISAS
Required by all except the following for stays of no more
than 3 months within a 6-month period:
a. nationals referred to in the chart and under passport exemptions
above
b. nationals of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, holders of British
National Overseas passports and 'look-alike' passport holders
of British Overseas Territories (except Gibraltar), plus British
Indian Ocean Territory, Henderson Islands, Pitcairn, Ducie
& Oeno and the St Helen Islands and dependencies, Brunei,
Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala,
Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR), Iceland, Israel, Korea (Rep), Macau
(SAR), Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Nicaragua, Panama,
Paraguay, Romania, Singapore, Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela
c. nationals remaining within the airport on transit, except
for the following nationals, who always require an Airport
Transit visa:
Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Congo (Dem Rep), Eritrea,
Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, India, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Nigeria,
Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Syrian
Arab Republic and Turkey, if not possessing a valid residence
permit for the EU member states or Andorra, Canada, Iceland,
Japan, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland
or the USA.
Types of visa
and cost
A uniform type of visa, the Schengen visa, is issued for tourist,
business and private visits. All visas cost :
Short Stay £26 for up to 90 days or £38 for long
stay.
Cost of Visa Conversion Table:
£10 US$18
£20 US$36
£50 US$91
£100 US$182
£150 US$273
Note
Spouses and children (under 18) of EU nationals receive their
visas free of charge. The original marriage certificate, the
spouse’s passport and the birth certificate(s) for the
child(ren) must be produced.
Validity
Short-stay
Valid for 6 months from date of issue for stays of a maximum
30 or 90 days per entry.
Transit
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.
Schengen collective visas are also available for group visits,
subject to rules and regulations.
Application
Consulate see the Contact Addresses section. The consulate
operates an appointment system and all applicants must make
an appointment before attending the visa section (telephone
number: (09065) 540 777, for those who reside in the London
area). Travellers visiting just 1 Schengen country should
apply to the Consulate of that country and travellers visiting
more than 1 Schengen country should apply to the Consulate
of the country chosen as the main destination or the country
they will enter first and to which they require a visa.
Application requirements
a. Passport or official travel documents valid for at least
3 months after proposed stay with blank pages to affix visa
stamp.
b. Completed application form.
c. One passport-size photo.
d. Proof of sufficient funds to cover stay and to cover return
to country of origin/transit to onwards country, plus funds
to cover any possible medical expenses. This includes access
to at least €38 per day if residing with an individual
in Belgium, or €50 per day if staying in a hotel. If
applying with a guarantor, the guarantor must have a minimum
net income. More details from the Embassy.
e. Valid travel insurance, with a minimum cover of €30,000.
f. Proof of purpose of stay such as a letter of invitation
from a host in Belgium, a return ticket or hotel booking.
g. Letter from employer or from solicitor or bank manager
if self-employed. If a student, letter from school or college
confirming attendance.
h. Stamped, self-addressed registered envelope for postal
applications. If visiting friends or family in Belgium, sponsorship
from person in Belgium must be submitted along with business
letter, providing evidence of sponsor's income, and certified
at the Town Hall at which sponsor is registered.
i. Fee payable by postal order only, or cash if in person.
j. Return ticket(s) to country of residence for some nationalities.
k. Documents substantiating the purpose and circumstances
of the proposed visit.
For Business visa all of the above plus
l. Invitation letter from overseas business associate
Note
Nationals may identify a Belgian national or alien residing
or established legally, and for a long period, in Belgium,
as guarantor for subsistence and medical and or travel costs
incurred, if national cannot guarantee their own ability to
do so. The person acting as guarantor does not necessarily
have to be the person who invites the national. If the national
chooses to be covered by an undertaking of responsibility,
the national must, within 6 months of the undertaking being
legalised, report to the Belgian diplomat or Consular authorities.
This rule also applies to nationals exempt from a visa requirement
but wishing to gain access to the Schengen states on the basis
of an undertaking of responsibility. Information from the
nearest Consular section for a list of documents to be submitted
that are necessary to legalise any undertaking of responsibility.
Working days required:
48 hours to 8 weeks, depending on nationality and resident
status, and whether applying by post or in person. Certain
nationals must apply in person (contact Consulate or Consular
section at Embassy for details). Visa processing can, on some
occasions, take up to 3 months.
Temporary
residence: Anyone wishing to take up temporary residence
should make a special application to the Belgian Embassy. |
