Short stay (maximum of 90 days)
If you're not a national of an EEA+ country, and you're planning to stay in Belgium for a short period (up to 90 days) you may need to apply for a visa before you travel. Whether this applies to you depends on your nationality: some non-EEA+ nationals can enter Belgium visa-free for short stays, while others must apply for a short-stay visa in advance. Below you'll find out which category applies to you and what the application process involves.
You can check whether your nationality is exempt from the visa requirement for stays of up to 90 days on the website of the Immigration Office (list of third countries whose nationals are exempted from holding a visa).
If your nationality is not on that list, you'll need to apply for a visa type C, also known as a Schengen visa (short-stay period of maximum 90 days), at the Belgian embassy or consulate in your current country of residence before coming to Belgium. You may need to submit your application through an external service provider (such as VFS Global or TLS Contact).
Please note that a Schengen visa cannot be extended or changed to cover a different purpose. You must leave Belgium at the latest when the three months are over.
Important notes:
If you are a non-EEA+ national with a residence permit from another Schengen country, you can come to Belgium for a period of maximum 90 days without a visa.
If Belgium is your only or main destination, you must apply for a visa at the authorised Belgian consulate or embassy. Holding a visa issued by another Schengen State when the purpose of your journey is to attend an academic activity in Belgium could be a reason for refusing entry.
Documents and more information
To apply for a visa type C, you will usually need the following documents (subject to change):
a completed and signed application form;
a travel document (e.g. a passport), valid for at least three months after the date on which you intend to leave the Schengen territory;
documents indicating the purpose of your journey (e.g. invitation letter, signed by the organiser or promoter, proof of employment, etc.);
documents showing your accommodation during your stay in the city of Antwerp (e.g. proof of hotel reservation and give full details of your itinerary to and from Belgium);
documents indicating that you have sufficient personal financial resources (e.g. copy of the updated passbook of your banking or savings account, income tax papers, salary slips, sponsorship letter by a person in Belgium, the so-called engagement de prise en charge Annexe 3bis, …);
documents indicating you intend to leave the Schengen territory before the expiry of the visa. Explain as detailed as possible that your centre of interests remains in your country (e.g. proof of enrolment in your home university, proof of continuous employment in your country,...);
valid travel health insurance covering any costs of repatriation for medical reasons, emergency medical care and/or emergency hospital care or death during your stay(s) in the Schengen territory with a minimum cover of EUR 30,000. A list of recognised insurance companies and policies is usually available on the website of the Belgian Embassy and Consulates in your country.
More info on visa requirements and procedure More details can be found on the website of the Belgian Embassy and Consulates in your country. Find out which embassy or consulate you should start your visa application with.
Long stay (more than 90 days)
If you are planning to stay in Belgium for more than 90 days, you'll need to apply for a long-term visa (visa type D) at the Belgian embassy or consulate in your current country of residence before leaving for Belgium.
Important remarks:
- For certain countries, approval by the Belgian authorities can take up to three months or longer. Make sure you start the visa application procedure well in advance!
- Please do not enter Belgium on a Schengen visa (visa type C). This visa is only valid for three months and can't be extended. Once it expires, you will have to travel back to your home country at your own cost and apply for the correct visa from there. We are unable to assist staff members who enter on the wrong visa type.
- If you hold dual citizenship (non-EEA+ and EEA+), you can travel to Belgium on your valid European passport and apply for a residence permit upon arrival.
- Doctoral scholarship holders or PhD students with their own funding who are enrolled at the University of Antwerp as PhD students while working on a PhD or double PhD will have to apply for a visa type D as students. More information about the visa application procedure can be found under the information for students.
Documents and more information
Find out which embassy or consulate you should contact to start your visa application.
You can apply for a visa either in the country where you hold a valid residence permit or in your home country.
Required documents (subject to change):
International passport (with at least one year validity remaining)
Two copies of the visa application form, completed and signed
Approval documents single permit, this includes the approval of the Immigration Office (annex 46) and the work approval from the Department of Economic Migrations.
The documents listed above are the basic documents required in all cases. Please contact the Belgian embassy as soon as possible to check whether additional documents are required. The contact information of the embassy can be found on the website.
Bringing your family
Family members who intend to stay with you in Belgium for a period longer than 90 days will have to apply for a visa type D family reunification at the Belgian embassy in the country of residence.
We strongly advise against travelling to Belgium with short stay visa because it is a long and complicated procedure to apply for a change of status.
Family of staff members can apply for the family reunification visa together with the staff member.
Documents and more information
Required documents (subject to change)
- Valid international passport (with at least one year of validity remaining)
- Two copies of the visa application form, completed and signed
- Copy of the ID card, residence permit and passport of the person to be joined in Belgium (not necessary for family member of staff member travelling together)
- The medical certificate has to be completed by a doctor appointed by the Belgian diplomatic or consular agent nearest to your official place of residence and stamped for approval by the same agent. This certificate must not be older than six months from the date of issue.
- A marriage certificate for your spouse, translated and legalised
- Birth certificates for your children, translated and legalised
- An extract from the criminal record dating from no more than six months prior to the date of application and covering the previous year (not applicable for children)
- Proof of payment of the consular fees and the contribution fee
- Proof that the person being joined has sufficient accommodation (If you are traveling together, a hotel reservation will suffice)
- Proof that the person being joined has stable, regular and sufficient income to meet his/her own needs and those of the members of the family. A copy of your employment contract will be sufficient.
- Proof of registration with a public (i.e. Belgian) health insurance provider or private health insurance provider (Schengen medical insurance for a minimum period of three months)