The Belgium visa requirements depend on the type of visa you are applying for. The standard documents everyone has to submit, no matter the visa type, are passport, pictures, travel insurance, and application form.
Belgium Visa Documents Checklist
The list of documents required for a Belgium visa is:
- Belgium visa application form.
- Two identical photos with Belgium specific requirements.
- Your passport.
- Copies of your previous visas (if applicable).
- Language Preference Form.
- A cover letter.
- Round-trip flight itinerary.
- Schengen travel insurance.
- Proof of accommodation.
- Proof of civil status.
- Proof of sufficient financial means for the period of stay in Belgium.
- Employment status documents.
- Additional requirements documents for minors.
Belgium Visa Application Form
Everyone who is applying for a visa should fill the visa application form first. Even people who are traveling as a group must fill in and sign the form individually.
The application requires information such as your name and surname, gender, date of birth, place of birth, nationality, passport number, contact details, etc.
Two Identical Photos
Alongside the application form, you should add two identical pictures of yourself taken recently. The photographs must follow Schengen visa photo guidelines:
- 35x40mm dimensions.
- Blank, white background
- High quality (no blurriness, over-exposure, damage, etc.)
- Your face must be fully visible.
Passport
A valid passport is always necessary. When you submit the visa application, your passport must be valid at least three months after returning from Belgium. Your passport should also have two blank pages to affix the visa. If your passport does not meet these requirements, then the possibility of visa rejection is high.
Sometimes, you may be asked to present copies of any valid passport that you previously had.
Copies of Your Previous Visas (if Applicable)
It is mandatory to bring a copy of your visa if you had one previously. The photocopies of the visas should be in color. Also, if you had visas in your former passport, you need to present them in the interview.
A Cover Letter
A cover letter helps you persuade the Consular staff that you are an adequate applicant for receiving a Belgium visa. You have to explain why you want to travel to Belgium, how long you will be staying, and more. A Schengen visa cover letter should include:
- The purpose of your travel to the Schengen Area.
- Proof of how you will pay for your trip (by yourself or by your sponsor).
- If you have a sponsor, explain the relationship between you and your sponsor and explain why they are sponsoring your travel.
- A general review of your journey, which explains why you chose to apply to the Belgian embassy.
- If you do not have a particular required document, write why you can not submit it to the embassy and explain the alternative document you might have.
- Your intention to return home. You can also write a separate letter to describe your home country.
Round-Trip Flight Itinerary
Every time you apply for a visa to visit a Schengen country, the Embassy or the Consulate will ask you to provide proof of a Booked Flight or Flight Reservation. Your flight itinerary should contain the exact dates and flight numbers of entry and exit from Belgium.
Since you do not know whether you will receive your visa, you do not have to present a purchased ticket, simply a flight reservation.
Schengen Travel Insurance
Schengen travel insurance is mandatory when you apply for a Belgium visa. The minimum coverage for travel insurance should be at least €30,000. The reasons why you must have to purchase a travel insurance policy that provides coverage for Schengen, are emergencies that include:
- Sudden illness.
- Physical injuries.
- Repatriation in case of severe injuries.
- Repatriation in case of death.
Proof of Accommodation
When you travel to Belgium, you need a place to stay. It can be a hotel, a place of a family member, or a friend that has invited you. In this case, you will be required to document where you will be staying in Belgium:
- Hotel reservation
- Host invitation – by a friend or family member
- Proof of a pre-paid tour to the tour operator
Proof of Civil Status
You will also be requested to deliver civil status certificates, as applicable:
- Marriage certificate.
- Birth certificate.
- Divorce certificate.
- Death certificate of spouse.
- Name changing certificate (if the visitor has changed the name legally).
- Family certificate (if visiting family).
- Adoption certificate (if you are traveling with adoptive minors).
- Foster papers (if you are traveling with foster children).
Proof of Sufficient Financial Means for The Period of Stay In Belgium
The means of subsistence document will indicate that you as an applicant have the needed financial ability to travel to Belgium or other Schengen countries. There are several ways to prove your financial sufficiency:
- Credit card or cash.
- A personal bank statement showing your financial activity (for the last three months).
- Proof of your salary.
- Proof that you are employed.
- Proof that you have pre-paid for transport.
- Proof that you have pre-paid for your accommodation.
Additional Documents Based on Your Employment Status.
Depending on your employment status, you will need to bring these additional documents:
| If you are employed: | Employment contract.Bank statements (usually from the past three months). Leave permission from your employer (No-objection letter*).Income Tax Return (ITR). |
| If you are self-employed or a business owner: | A copy of your business license.Business bank statement from the last six months. Income Tax Return (ITR). |
| If you are a student: | Proof of enrollment. No-objection letter* from school or university. |
| If you are retired: | Pension statements from the last six months. |
| Other categories: | Any other proof of regular income, such as through property. |
*A no-objection letter is a letter from your employer or your school/university which proves that you have agreed to a contract in your homeland which you intend to get back to
Additional Documents For Minors
Minors who wish to visit Belgium should hold these documents:
- Birth certificate.
- Belgium application form signed by both parents.
- Certified copies of ID/passport of both parents.
- A family court order, if only one of the parents has full custody.
- A notarized parental authorization. If the child is traveling alone, the authorization must be signed by both parents/guardians.
*Note: Parents or guardians should accompany their underage children when applying at the Belgian embassy/consulate.
What Language Should the Documents Be?
The documents should be either in English, French, German, or Dutch. The Belgium Embassy allows you to choose the application form in one of those languages. So, if you live in a country where your national language is different, you have to translate the documents by a certified translator.
Should I Translate the Documents?
You should translate the documents if you live in a country where your national language is English, French, German, or Dutch. A certified translator should translate your documents to one of the mentioned languages.
Should I Legalize the Documents?
You will need an Apostille Stamp so your documents can be recognized outside your country. Documents that need apostilles are:
- Marriage certificate.
- Birth certificate.
- Death certificate.
- Power of attorney.
- University diploma.
- Court orders.
- Business registration.