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4 ways to enter

Belgium visas

Belgium student visa

Study visits can use Schengen visas, with no application fee for study or educational training. Longer study stays generally need a long-stay visa or residence permit.

Ways to get a Belgium student visa

  1. Schengen visa for study or educational training

    Visa needed

    Travellers who need a visa for a short study or educational training visit.

    Stay
    Usually up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
    Entries
    One, two or multiple entries.
    Fee
    No visa application fee. An external application service may charge a separate fee.
    Processing
    15 calendar days for an admissible Schengen application with no issues; delays can occur.
    1. Apply to the embassy or consulate for your main destination, no more than six months before entry.
    2. Submit the relevant supporting documents.
    3. Attend in person for a first application and provide biometrics if required.

  2. Visa-free school group from the European Union single market

    No visa needed

    School pupils who are not single market citizens but legally live there can qualify when travelling with their school group and a teacher.

    Stay
    A short stay or transit.
    1. Travel as part of a group from a general education school, accompanied by a teacher.
    2. Have the teacher carry a List of Travellers form identifying the pupils and explaining the trip.

  3. Visa-free school group from the United Kingdom

    No visa needed

    Pupils living in the United Kingdom who normally need a visa can visit Belgium on a school excursion in a group accompanied by a teacher.

  4. Long-stay study permission

    Other permit

    Students from outside the European Union single market generally need long-stay permission for stays exceeding 90 days.

    Stay
    A long-stay visa generally covers less than a year; residence permits cover longer periods.

Who needs it

Students who are not exempt need a visa for a short study visit. Travellers from outside the European Union single market generally need long-stay permission for stays exceeding 90 days.

Who doesn't

Certain school groups resident in the European Union single market or the United Kingdom can visit Belgium without a visa.

How to apply

  1. For a short study visit requiring a visa, apply to the embassy or consulate for your main destination.
  2. Submit the relevant supporting documents and attend in person for a first Schengen visa application.
  3. For a stay exceeding 90 days, use the applicable long-stay visa or residence permit process.

What to bring

  • Relevant supporting documents for study or educational training.

Good to know

  • A fee waiver does not remove the need to apply for a visa when one is required.
  • Long-stay conditions are generally set by the individual country.
  • Some long-stay study procedures are shared across the countries issuing these visas.

Questions

Do I need a student visa for Belgium?

Students who are not exempt need a visa for a short study visit. Travellers from outside the European Union single market generally need long-stay permission for stays exceeding 90 days. Certain school groups resident in the European Union single market or the United Kingdom can visit Belgium without a visa.

What are the ways to get a student visa for Belgium?

There are 4 options: Schengen visa for study or educational training (a visa from an embassy); Visa-free school group from the European Union single market (no visa at all); Visa-free school group from the United Kingdom (no visa at all); Long-stay study permission (a special permit).

Who can go to Belgium without a student visa?

School pupils who are not single market citizens but legally live there can qualify when travelling with their school group and a teacher. Pupils living in the United Kingdom who normally need a visa can visit Belgium on a school excursion in a group accompanied by a teacher.

How long can I stay on a Belgium student visa?

Short visits usually fall within the 90-days-in-180-days Schengen limit. Longer stays generally need separate permission.

How much does a Belgium student visa cost?

No Schengen visa application fee for study or educational training. Relevant supporting documents are still required.

What documents do I need for a Belgium student visa?

Relevant supporting documents for study or educational training..

How do I apply for a Belgium student visa?

1. 1. For a short study visit requiring a visa, apply to the embassy or consulate for your main destination. 2. 2. Submit the relevant supporting documents and attend in person for a first Schengen visa application. 3. 3. For a stay exceeding 90 days, use the applicable long-stay visa or residence permit process.

What rules do I have to follow on a Belgium student visa?

A fee waiver does not remove the need to apply for a visa when one is required. Long-stay conditions are generally set by the individual country.

Does my passport change whether I need a student visa for Belgium?

Yes. Rules depend on the country that issued your passport. Open the Belgium visa page and choose your passport for a plain answer.

Can a student visa for Belgium be refused?

Yes. Officials can refuse a visa or entry, even after you apply. Give true answers, bring the documents asked for, and keep proof of your onward trip and money.

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