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Belgium visas

Belgium tourist visa

A short-stay Schengen visa lets you visit Belgium and other Schengen countries unless the visa says otherwise. Some travellers can visit without a visa.

Ways to get a Belgium tourist visa

  1. Short-stay Schengen visa

    Visa needed

    Visitors who need a visa and meet the Schengen visa requirements.

    Stay
    Usually up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.
    Valid for
    Up to five years. New applicants normally receive a visa covering their intended trip.
    Entries
    One, two or multiple entries.
    Fee
    EUR 90 normally; EUR 45 for children aged 6 to 12; free for children under 6. Fee waivers and reductions apply to some groups. The fee may rise to EUR 180 for some nationalities, except children under 12. An external service may charge up to EUR 120 extra.
    Processing
    15 calendar days for an admissible application with no issues. Delays and appointment shortages can occur.
    1. Choose the embassy or consulate for your main destination, or your first Schengen entry country if there is no main destination.
    2. Submit the application no more than six months before entry.
    3. Attend in person and have an interview if this is your first application.
    4. Provide fingerprints and a digital photo if required, and pay the applicable fee.

  2. Visa-free short visit

    No visa needed

    Ordinary passport holders from the listed countries and territories can make short visits without a visa.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.

  4. Visit using an existing residence permit or long-stay visa

    No visa needed

    Holders of a long-stay visa or residence permit issued by a Schengen country, Gibraltar or Monaco can visit Belgium without an additional visa.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in any 180-day period when visiting other Schengen countries.

  5. Visa-free visit for certain refugees

    No visa needed

    Refugees resident in Ireland or the United States can enter Belgium without a visa.

  6. Bilateral visa-free stay

    No visa needed

    Australian and New Zealand citizens benefit from older visa-waiver agreements with Belgium.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in Belgium without reference to time spent in other Schengen countries.

    Passports that qualify (2)

Who needs it

Travellers who are not covered by a visa exemption need a visa to visit Belgium.

Who doesn't

Citizens of the listed visa-waiver countries, European Union single market citizens and some holders of residence documents can visit without a new visa.

How to apply

  1. Apply to Belgium's embassy or consulate if Belgium is your main destination. If no main destination can be identified, apply to the country where you first enter the Schengen Area.
  2. Submit your application no more than six months before your planned entry. An external service may collect applications.
  3. Attend in person for your first application and take part in a consular interview.
  4. Give fingerprints and a digital photo if required. Children under 12 do not give fingerprints. Biometrics given within the past 59 months may be reused.
  5. Pay the applicable fee and wait for a decision.

What to bring

  • A recognised travel document.
  • Supporting documents for the trip.
  • Fingerprints and a digital photograph, if required.

Good to know

  • Count short stays across the Schengen Area together.
  • Follow the visa's entry limit and any country restrictions.
  • A visa valid for several years does not allow you to stay for several years at a time.
  • A short-stay visa from another Schengen country is normally valid for Belgium unless marked otherwise.
  • A visa issued by Ireland or Cyprus does not permit entry to Belgium.
  • Belgium's daily funds reference is EUR 45 when staying with a private individual or EUR 95 when staying at a hotel.
  • Some nationalities and residents have different rules for getting multiple-entry visas.

Questions

Do I need a tourist visa for Belgium?

Travellers who are not covered by a visa exemption need a visa to visit Belgium. Citizens of the listed visa-waiver countries, European Union single market citizens and some holders of residence documents can visit without a new visa.

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

There are 7 options: Short-stay Schengen visa (a visa from an embassy); Visa-free short visit (no visa at all); Freedom of movement (no visa at all); Visit using an existing residence permit or long-stay visa (no visa at all); Visa-free visit for certain refugees (no visa at all); Bilateral visa-free stay (no visa at all); Diplomatic or official passport exemption (no visa at all).

Who can go to Belgium without a tourist visa?

Ordinary passport holders from the listed countries and territories can make short visits without a visa. Citizens of European Union countries, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland can enter, live and work in Belgium without a visa. Holders of a long-stay visa or residence permit issued by a Schengen country, Gibraltar or Monaco can visit Belgium without an additional visa. Refugees resident in Ireland or the United States can enter Belgium without a visa. Australian and New Zealand citizens benefit from older visa-waiver agreements with Belgium. Belgium exempts diplomatic and official passport holders from the listed countries. For Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Chad, India, China, Kazakhstan, Pakistan and Senegal, only diplomatic passports qualify.

How long can I stay on a Belgium tourist visa?

Usually up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.

How much does a Belgium tourist visa cost?

Standard fee: EUR 90. Children aged 6 to 12: EUR 45. Children under 6: free. Other reductions, waivers or higher fees can apply. An external application service may charge up to EUR 120 extra.

How long does a Belgium tourist visa take?

15 calendar days after an admissible application is lodged, if there are no issues. Appointment shortages and delays can occur.

How long is a Belgium tourist visa valid?

Usually the intended trip for new applicants. Visas can be valid for up to five years. Entries: One, two or multiple entries..

What documents do I need for a Belgium tourist visa?

A recognised travel document.; Supporting documents for the trip.; Fingerprints and a digital photograph, if required..

How do I apply for a Belgium tourist visa?

1. 1. Apply to Belgium's embassy or consulate if Belgium is your main destination. If no main destination can be identified, apply to the country where you first enter the Schengen Area. 2. 2. Submit your application no more than six months before your planned entry. An external service may collect applications. 3. 3. Attend in person for your first application and take part in a consular interview. 4. 4. Give fingerprints and a digital photo if required. Children under 12 do not give fingerprints. Biometrics given within the past 59 months may be reused. 5. 5. Pay the applicable fee and wait for a decision.

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

Count short stays across the Schengen Area together. Follow the visa's entry limit and any country restrictions. A visa valid for several years does not allow you to stay for several years at a time.

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