Belgium Visa for Indians - Belgium Schengen Visa

Individuals from nations that do not come under the EU, and are not on the visa exempt list for Belgium, require an entity known as a Belgium visa.

Based on your motive for the visit, there are 4 major categories: Visa A, C, and D. Each visa has different permissions and validity.

You can apply for a visa that suits your requirements and purpose. The Belgium visas are usually stamped on your passport.

Each type of visa requires certain documents as per the regulations.

Do Indians need a Schengen Visa to travel to Belgium? 

Yes. Belgium is in both the European Union (EU) and the Schengen Area of countries that have abolished border controls between each others’ borders - which Indians need a visa to travel to.

Belgium Visa on Arrival:

No, Indian nationals can't get a visa upon arriving in Belgium.

In general, Schengen Area nations do not often require visas upon entry. The Belgian embassy or consulate in India is where you must apply in advance for a Schengen visa.

The process of acquiring a visa varies from country to country. To obtain a Belgium visa from India, you need to determine which type of visa is apt for your visit purpose.

Different types of visas have different set of documents required as per the Belgium visa embassy requirements. 

You will then need to decide on how you are going to apply. The submission can be done either through a Belgian embassy/consulate or via visa centres that the Belgian government has outsourced for the visa submissions.

Since offline applications are discontinued, you have to apply for a Belgium visa online. Once you have these details secured, you can proceed to make the application as follows - 

1. Create an account with the embassy website.
2. Log on to your account and fill in the Belgium visa application form online, with your personal details.
3. Book your Belgium visa appointment at a VAC, Belgium Embassy or Consulate.
4. Take a printout of the copy of the application form you receive via the registered email address.
5. Attend the visa appointment for your biometric along with the mentioned documents and your Schengen visa Belgium application form. If you have submitted a biometric in the past 10 years, you do not require to be subjected to another biometric.
6. Pay the fees, along with any additional service charges at the designated location.
7. Once your Belgium visa application has been submitted, it will be processed by the Belgian embassy / Consulate.

The steps for all the short-term visa types are the same. The only variations would be in the Belgium visa fees and documents required.

It can, however, be a challenging task to take note of the various documents, keep track of the appointment, and make sure there are no mistakes.

Any mistakes in the application form can cause a delay in the visa approval, or even lead to the application being rejected.

To apply for a Belgium visa in India, it is suggested to consult professional visa services to do it for you.

Here are some of the main Belgium visa types for Indian citizens:

Short-Stay Visa (C Visa):

• This is valid for up to 90 days to 180 days.
• This visa is best for l for tourists, business travellers, and short-term visits.
• Various forms of visas  are as follows:

Tourist Visa:

This is best or sightseeing, fun activities, and visiting tourist attractions.

Business Visa:

Especially for business professionals who want to travel to attend meetings, conferences, or other business-related activities. Not for paid work.

Visitor Visa:

This is suitable for you travelling to Belgium to visit your friends and family or to attend some cultural events. 

Long-Stay Visa (D Visa):

• This visa is required for those people who want to stay more than 90 days.
• This visa is for those who visit Belgium for purposes like work, study, or family reunion.
• Some specific D visa types include:

Work Visa:

This is for individuals with a job offer in Belgium. Requires a work permit.

Student Visa:

Students from India want to pursue further studies at a recognized Belgian educational institution. But they need to show proof of admission.

Family Reunion Visa:

This is for joining a family member who is a Belgian citizen or legal resident. Requires marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.

Airport Transit Visa (A Visa):

If an Indian passport holder is simply going to be in the airport for a connecting flight, they do not need a transit visa.

A summarise Belgium Visa Types for Indian passport holders in a table format

The documents required depends on the various Belgian visa types. The general list of documents required for Schengen visa Belgium is mentioned below.

However, depending on the subtypes such as tourist, business, study, etc, there will be additional documentation necessary. 

• Short term Belgium Schengen visa ( C visa) - 

1. 1. A valid Passport
   2. Covering letter stating the details of the applicant, and the purpose and duration of stay
   3. Travel itinerary
   4. Confirmed round trip flight tickets, Proof of accommodation
   5. Travel medical insurance covering 30000 Euros 
   6. Proof of occupation as per the employment status
   7. Financial documents to show sufficient funds

• Long term visa ( D visa ) - 

• 1. A valid passport
  2. A work permit, proof of admission at an educational institution, marriage/civil partnership or birth certificates (if applicable)
  3. Financial documents to prove that you have sufficient funds to cover your expenses during your stay period
  4. Proof of accommodation
  5. Medical certificate to show that you are free of diseases that could be a danger to the public
  6. Certificate showing that there are no criminal records in your name
  7. Document choosing the language in which you would like to be informed about the decision in your visa application

The visa applications require 2 identical photos per the embassy's Belgium visa photo size regulations. The Belgium Schengen visa photo requirements are as follows -

The visa handling fees depend on the type of visa. The Belgium visa fees are to be paid during the appointment.

There can also be service charges to be paid if you are submitting the documents at a registered visa application centre.

Apart from this, the fees may also vary depending on several factors such as the type of visa, the number of entries, the duration of the visa, additional express services, etc.

Here is a table to summarise the visa prices for the Belgium Schengen visa:

Additional Costs:

1.Service Fee: Additional charges may apply for service fees by visa application centres (usually around €30-€40 or ₹2,550-₹3,400).

2.Biometric Fee: A fee for biometric data collection, if applicable.

3.Courier Fee: If opting for the courier service for passport delivery, an extra charge may apply.

4.Translation and Authentication Fees: Costs for document translation and authentication may be necessary depending on specific requirements.

5.Travel Insurance: Mandatory for short-stay visas, costs vary based on the provider and duration of stay.

6.Other Optional Services: Express processing, SMS notifications, and photocopying may incur additional charges.

1 EUR ≈ 89.50 (Subject to change, based on the current exchange rate).

The applications for the visa can be applied online. However, for the submission of the documents, It can be performed through the Belgian embassy/consulate, or a visa application centre.

For appointments at the embassy/consulate, you will have to email them to book one. Alternately, you can book a visa appointment at any visa application centre located across the country for the document submission.

For submission of documents straight at the embassy, you can visit the Belgian embassy located in New Delhi or the Belgian Consulate General in Mumbai, and Chennai. 

The processing time of the visa is normally up to 15 working days. However, this can vary based on several factors. In some cases, it can go up to 30 days when there are a large number of applications at the embassy.

The Belgium Schengen visa processing time can even take up to 60 days in some extreme cases. As a result, it is best to apply for the visa at least 3 weeks before the date of intended travel. However, the application cannot be made beyond 3 months before the travel.

There are two ways to track the Belgium Visa Application of Indian citizens: 

1. Online Application Tracking (Embassy/Consulate Website)

In this method, you need to submit your application directly to the Belgian embassy/consulate website in India.

For this, you need the Reference number which is available on your application receipt, and your last name. Then you can see your Belgium visa status. 

2. VFS Global Tracking (if applicable):

In this method, you submit your application through a Visa Application Center like VFS Global. Following documents you need : 

• Reference number from your visa application receipt and your last name.
• Then, you need to the VFS Global website( https://visa.vfsglobal.com/chn/en/bel/track-an-application) 
• Here go to the “ Track Your Application” tab and enter your reference number
• Here you can see the updated status of your visa.

Helpline number: +86-20-22062861

Here's a table format for the visa application centre in India for Belgium:

Here are some common Belgium visa rejection reasons:- 

Insufficient Documentation: 

Missing, incomplete, or untranslated required documents.

Invalid Travel Insurance:

Insurance not covering the entire stay, insufficient coverage amount, or not valid in all Schengen countries.

Financial Insufficiency:

Lack of proof of sufficient funds or inadequate financial guarantee from a sponsor.

Unclear Purpose of Visit:

Inadequate explanation or proof of the visit’s purpose, such as tourism, business, study, or family reunification.

Unfavorable Travel History:

Previous visa violations, lack of previous travel experience, or previous Schengen visa rejections.

Lack of Accommodation Proof:

No confirmed hotel reservations, unclear accommodation plans, or no proof of accommodation in Belgium.

Intention to Return:

Insufficient proof of ties to the home country, indicating a high risk of overstaying the visa.

Errors in Application:

Incorrect or false information on the application form or inconsistencies between documents and application.

Criminal Record:  

Applicant has a criminal record or poses a security threat.

Non-compliance with Immigration Laws:

Previous violations of immigration laws or failure to respect conditions of a previous visa.

Insufficient Proof of Integration:

Lack of evidence showing efforts to integrate into Belgian society, such as language skills or cultural understanding.

Tips to Avoid Rejection

Double-Check Requirements:

Ensure you have all necessary documents and they meet the specified criteria.

Provide Clear and Honest Information:

Ensure all information is accurate and consistent across all documents.

Show Strong Ties to Home Country:

Provide proof of employment, property, family, or other ties that will confirm your return.

Prepare Financial Proof:

Show clear proof of financial stability and sufficient funds for your stay.

Get Professional Advice:

Consult visa experts or legal advisors if you have complex circumstances.

Understanding these common reasons and taking proactive steps to address them can increase your chances of a successful visa application.