Belgium Visa: Requirements, Types, Fees & How to Apply
Start your applicationFor most non-EU travelers, yes. Belgium is in the 29-country Schengen Area (as of 2026). A Schengen short-stay visa allows up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the area. Citizens of other Schengen states do not need a visa.
Belgium visa at a glance
- Government fee
- EUR 90 (adults) / EUR 45 (children 6–12) — passed through at cost
- Official processing
- 15 calendar days (up to 45 in complex cases) — per the EU Visa Code
- Validity / stay
- Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
- Visa types
- 2
Do you need a visa for Belgium?
A visa does not guarantee entry — border officials make the final determination at the Schengen external border.
Belgium visa types
- Schengen short-stay (Type C)
- Tourism, business, visits — Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
- Visa-free entry
- For Schengen nationalities — Up to 90 days in 180-day period
Who is eligible
Whether you need a Belgium visa depends on your nationality:
Apply through the consulate of the Schengen state that is your main destination, or your first point of entry.
Schengen nationalities travel visa-free within the area.
Other nationalities need a Schengen short-stay visa for tourism or business.
Documents required for a Belgium visa
What the consulate expects in your file. The controlling checklist is always the one published for your country of residence.
- Valid passport3+ months beyond your planned departure, 2+ blank pages, issued within the last 10 years.
- Completed and signed Schengen visa application formCompleted and signed Schengen visa application form.
- Two recent passport photosTwo recent passport photos.
- Travel medical insuranceminimum EUR 30,000 coverage valid across the Schengen Area.
- Proof of travel itinerary (flight reservationnot a purchased ticket).
- Proof of accommodationProof of accommodation.
- Proof of financial means (bank statements)Proof of financial means (bank statements).
Belgium visa fees and processing time
- Government fee
- EUR 90 (adults) / EUR 45 (children 6–12) — passed through at cost
- Expedify processing fee
- Shown before you start
- Validity / stay
- Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
- Official processing
- 15 calendar days (up to 45 in complex cases) — per the EU Visa Code
Government fees are passed through at cost. Processing times are the authority's official estimate, stated as a fact — not a delivery promise.
How to apply for a Belgium visa
The official route, step by step.
Confirm you need a visa against the Schengen visa-required list
Confirm you need a visa against the Schengen visa-required list.
Get the current form and checklist from the Belgian consulate or authorised visa centre
Get the current form and checklist from the Belgian consulate or authorised visa centre.
Gather your documents
passport, photos, insurance, itinerary, funds.
Submit your application and pay the government fee
Submit your application and pay the government fee.
Wait for processing
legally up to 15 calendar days, up to 45 in complex cases.
Collect your passport when a decision is made
Collect your passport when a decision is made.
Applying yourself vs. with Expedify
The authority decides your visa either way. The difference is how much of the process you carry.
Research
- Apply yourself
- Check Belgium's requirements yourself
- With Expedify
- We confirm what you need for your route
Document check
- Apply yourself
- Common errors cause refusals
- With Expedify
- Pre-reviewed before submission
Appointments
- Apply yourself
- You book and attend yourself
- With Expedify
- We help prepare your application
Status tracking
- Apply yourself
- You check the consulate portal
- With Expedify
- We track and notify you
Government fee
- Apply yourself
- Same
- With Expedify
- Same — passed through at cost, no markup
At the border: what to expect
A visa lets you present yourself for entry — it does not guarantee admission. Entry into Belgium is decided by immigration officials at the port of entry.
Entry requirements
- Valid passport with your visa or exemption stamp.
- Return or onward travel ticket.
- Travel medical insurance valid across the Schengen Area.
- Evidence of sufficient funds.
Conditions of stay
- Stay is limited to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.
- A tourist visa is not a work permit — no employment.
- Depart before your permitted stay ends; overstaying is an immigration violation.
Common reasons a Belgium visa is refused
Knowing these before you apply reduces your risk.
Incomplete or inconsistent documentation
Incomplete or inconsistent documentation.
Insufficient financial means
Insufficient financial means.
Travel insurance that doesn't meet the EUR 30,000 minimum
Travel insurance that doesn't meet the EUR 30,000 minimum.
Unclear travel purpose
Unclear travel purpose.
Weak ties to your home country
Weak ties to your home country.
Frequently asked questions
Belgium visa questions, answered.
More for your Belgium trip
How we reviewed this page
Last verified Reviewed by Expedify Compliance Review
About this service
Expedify is a private application-assistance service, not a government agency, embassy, or consulate. Visas are granted solely by the destination country's authorities, and no third party can influence or guarantee a decision. Our agency fee covers preparation, review, and tracking of your application, and is separate from any consular fee. The information on this page is general guidance, not legal or immigration advice — requirements change and vary by nationality. Always confirm with the official embassy or consulate of the country you're visiting.