Description of the visa, its purpose, conditions, peculiarities of issuance, and guidelines for utilization.
Granted to foreign nationals intended to enter Belgium under exceptional circumstances or in case regular family reunification is not possible.
The primary characteristics that define the conditions for obtaining and using a visa. These conditions may vary depending on the individual circumstances of the applicant and the decision of the immigration authorities of the country.
from 3 months to 6 months
Visa validity period
The period during which the visa remains valid and can be used for entry into the country. The validity period or expiration date is indicated directly on the visa itself.
A long-term visa is issued for a maximum duration of 365 days and allows for a stay in Belgium of more than 90 days. Once the visa holder enters Belgium, they must visit the municipal administration of their place of residence within 8 working days of their entry into Belgium to apply for their registration in the foreigners' register and the issuance of a residence permit.
3 months
Duration of stay
The maximum duration for which one is permitted to stay in the country continuously from the date of entry.
The visa authorizes a stay in Belgium for a duration of more than 90 days. Upon arrival in Belgium, the visa holder must report to the local municipal administration within 8 working days in order to be registered in the foreigners’ register and to apply for a residence permit. A foreign national is granted an A card valid for 6 months. The planned marriage must be concluded before the expiry date of this card. Following the marriage, the individual must promptly submit an application for family reunification.
Not applicable
Extension of stay
The extension of the maximum duration of stay in the country initially permitted by the visa, subject to approval by the immigration authorities. This is typically processed within the country without the need for departure.
A long-term visa cannot be extended.
single-entry
The possibility of entering the country only once during the visa's validity period. After departure from the country with such a visa, re-entry is not possible, even if the visa's validity period has not yet expired.
multiple-entry
The ability to enter and exit the country an unlimited number of times, unless otherwise specified, within the visa's validity period.
Number of entries
A parameter specifying the number of times the visa holder can enter the country during its validity period. Visas can be single-entry, multiple-entry, or with a specified number of entries.
The applicant specifies the required number of entries on the visa application; however, consulates make a decision, which may vary depending on provided documentary evidence and other factors. A visa may be issued for single or multiple entries.
from 15 days to 1 month 15 days
Processing time
The period during which the immigration authorities review the application and make a decision regarding the issuance of the visa. Only business days are counted, excluding weekends and public holidays.
Decisions on visa applications are taken within 15 calendar days from the date of submission of the visa application. When a more thorough examination of the visa application is required, Belgian embassies and consulates will forward the visa application to the Immigration Office, which will make the decision. In this case, the processing period may be extended up to 45 days from the date of submission of the visa application.
€180 (~$209)
Consular fee
A fee levied for the processing and evaluation of an application. This charge is non-refundable under any circumstances. In certain instances, the payment of supplementary fees may be required.
Fees may be waived or vary depending on the applicant's nationality, marital status, age, and specific purpose of the visit. The following categories of applicants are exempt from paying the visa fee: - the spouse and children under the age of eighteen of a citizen of the European Union; - any other member of the family of a citizen of the European Union or of his or her spouse, who is dependent on or living with him or her; - nationals of Morocco, Israel, Turkey, Japan and San Marino; - scholarship students from the Belgian State, Belgian administrations in the broad sense (e.g. DGD, Cooperation, Communities and Regions), international bodies (e.g. scholarship students from a European Union programme) and Belgian universities. Consular fee is the official charge for processing a visa application by an embassy or consulate of the country and does not include any additional payments that may be required depending on the place and method of submission, such as visa center fees, the cost of permits or other documents, postal or courier delivery, and others.
A list of documents required for visa application. The exact list depends on the chosen visa type, the purpose of the visit, and the individual conditions of the applicant.
The essential minimum documents required for a visa application, such as a passport or visa application form. These are necessary regardless of the location, method, or conditions of the application.
Passport
Issued less than 10 years ago, with a validity period exceeding the duration of the visa by at least three months and with at least two blank pages.
Photograph
Taken in the last six months, passport-size, colored, clean, and meeting other standards according to ICAO photo guidelines.
Visa application form
Official visa application form, completely filled and signed by the applicant.
Travel health insurance
Valid for the entire Schengen area and the full duration of stay, covering at least €30,000, and include emergency medical care, hospitalization, and repatriation, including in case of death.
Documents that specify, substantiate, and confirm the purpose of the visit, as well as provide necessary information about the applicant and their future activities in the country.
Proof of family ties
Marriage certificate or other document confirming relationship, guardianship or family ties. If applicable.
Letter from the applicant
A letter signed by the applicant clearly outlining the reasons for the request for a humanitarian visa, including details of the family situation, professional or socio-economic circumstances in the country of residence, ties to an individual in Belgium, or, if no reference person is present in Belgium, the reasons for wishing to relocate there.
Proof of inability to stay alone in the country of origin
Evidence confirming that the applicant is dependent on the family member residing in Belgium and cannot stay alone in the country of origin (proof of regular financial transfers, confirmation that there are no other relatives that can provide for the applicant, death certificate, divorce certificate).
Documents required vary depending on individual circumstances, specific visa conditions, the place, and the method of application.
Current immigration or residence status
National passport or ID card; residence permit or other document confirming the right to legally reside in the country of residence, if it differs from the one stated in the applicant's passport.
Receipt of fee payment
Confirmation of the visa application processing fee.
Medical certificate
In some cases, citizens or residents of some countries may be required to provide health certificates confirming that they have no easily transmitted diseases such as tuberculosis or other serious diseases that pose a risk and danger to large numbers of people. It is recommended to check the exact requirements directly with the place where the application is submitted.
Declaration of true and complete information
Signed by the applicant and confirming that all information provided in the Schengen visa application form is accurate and complete. The requirements for including this document may vary depending on where the application is submitted.
Proof of financial means
A detailed explanation of how the applicant will finance their stay in Belgium, including coverage for medical expenses. Proof of the sponsor's stable income, with documents covering at least 12 months preceding the application, or a longer period if the sponsor is self-employed (employment contract, payslip, bank statements, benefits). The sponsor must have at least 2 131.28 euros net per month.
Proof of accommodation
In cases of sponsorship by a host, the sponsor must prove that he has adequate housing to accommodate the family members applying to join him (rental contract, proof of residential property, bank certificates relating to the mortgage loan, certificate of payment of property tax).
Criminal record certificate
Confirming no criminal record in the applicant’s home or residence country. The document must be issued within the last 6 months, duly legalized and translated. Required for applicants aged 18 or older.
*Foreign official documents must be apostilled and legalized in accordance with the regulations of the country whose consular or diplomatic mission they are being submitted to. Additionally, they must be accompanied by a certified translation into the official language of that country or into English, unless otherwise specified by the mission's requirements.
**Prior to submitting the documents, it is strongly advised to verify the specific procedures and requirements with the relevant mission.
The minimum criteria that each visa applicant must meet. If these criteria are not met, justifications and convincing evidence of intent to visit the country must be provided.
Clear purposes of the visit and documents confirming them, in accordance with the visa conditions.
Sufficient means to support oneself and their dependents for the duration of their stay in the country.
The applicant does not pose a threat to public order, internal security, public health or international relations of the country.
Insurance policy for the entire period of stay, meeting the minimum mandatory or recommended requirements for the country.
Valid permanent resident status or proof thereof; all preliminary procedures for visa application have been completed.
The characteristics of a visa according to its classification by types, categories, and visit purposes. These are selected by the applicant during the application process, typically indicated on the visa application form and reflected in corresponding annotations on the visa itself.
Category code
A letter-based or alphanumeric code for a specific visa category, indicating its conditions or serving as an abbreviated name. This code is typically found on the visa or visa stamp.
D
Type of visa
The primary purpose of the visa and the conditions under which it is issued. This typically includes several general categories of visas and/or visit purposes based on the type of activity or reasons for entering the country.
Long-term/national
Category
The classification within a visa type that specifies more specific conditions, characteristics of obtaining, and using the visa. Categories may vary in terms of duration, stay conditions, and the rights granted by the visa.
Humanitarian visa
Links to official resources upon which the information presented on the website is based. Information portals of government bodies or diplomatic representations of the country responsible for visa issuance and immigration policy in general.
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support@terrana.orgEligible individuals
The main categories of individuals for whom the visa is intended and who it is best suited for.
Visitor
Last updated 2026-03-17