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) — for example for a summer course, or a preparatory visit — you may need to apply for a visa before you travel. Whether this applies to you depends on your nationality: some non-EU 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, 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 remarks:
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 your relevant embassy or consulate.
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.
There are two exceptions to the general rule that students should apply for a Visa type D. If you meet the requirements for the limited registration, you will not have to apply for a Visa type D. If you do not meet all requirements, or if you would like a full residence permit, you must apply for a visa type D to come to Belgium. You will also need to request a residence permit upon arrival.
- Exception 1: individuals holding a valid residence permit for France, Germany, the Netherlands or Luxembourg
Non-EEA+ nationals holding a valid residence permit for France, Germany, the Netherlands or Luxembourg can opt not to apply for a visa type D (before arrival) and a full residence permit (upon arrival). Upon arrival, you will have the option to apply for a limited registration document, called bijlage 33, instead of a full residence permit.
- Exception 2: Erasmus Mobility
Non-EEA+ nationals who study in a country of the European Union and come on exchange to Belgium via the Erasmus programme do not need to apply for a visa type D (before arrival) and a full residence permit (upon arrival) if they meet the requirements for the limited registration. More information can be found in the residence permit section.
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 students 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.
Documents and more information
Find the correct Embassy or Consulate
Find out at which embassy or consulate you should start your visa application on the website of Foreign Affairs or on the website of the Immigration Office (in English, Dutch or French).
To apply for a visa type D, you will usually need the following documents (subject to change):
International passport (with at least one year validity remaining)
Two copies of the visa application form, completed and signed
Invitation letter or acceptance letter
Proof of sufficient means of subsistence - for more information see this section.
Certificate of good conduct: This certificate, which is also called a police record, can be obtained from the police department in your home country. It should be dated no more than six months prior to the date of application. If the police department in your home country does not provide such a certificate, the Belgian consulate or embassy will inform you about the alternative.
Medical certificate: 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. The completed original certificate (in Dutch, French or English) is needed to process your visa application. This certificate must not be older than six months from the date of issue.
Applicants who are already residing in Belgium can contact any GP (general practitioner or family doctor) in Belgium to obtain the medical certificate.
Proof of payment of the administrative fee for students. The exact amount and payment method can be found on the website of the Immigration Office. Students with a scholarship provided by the Belgian government or the university are exempt from paying this fee. The scholarship letter is sufficient proof for this exemption
Travel insurance for medical assistance in Belgium and the Schengen area: get insurance that will cover any expenses in the Schengen territory for repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical care or emergency treatment in a hospital and death, for an amount of at least 30.000 EUR. The insurance should cover at least your first 3 months of stay in Belgium. A list of recognized insurance companies and policies is usually available on the website of the Belgian Embassy and Consulates in your country.
Additional visa requirements may be requested by the embassy. Please contact the relevant embassy to check this.
Note: The university cannot intervene in the student visa application process. If you need extra information for the visa application form or have specific questions about your visa application, please read the FAQ in the Helpdesk and submit a request if needed.
Information asked in visa (type D) application form
The following information can help while filling out your initial visa application form.
Basic information
Language for decision Belgian authorities | Dutch (to enable us to follow up on your file in case of issues) The chosen language is used for the refusal notification if your visa cannot be granted. This notification is motivated in one of the three official Belgian languages. |
Application information
Minor information | In case the applicant is still a (extended) minor* (question under personal data > date of birth), an additional field ‘Minor information’ is shown further below and the personal details of the legal guardian or parental authority need to be filled in. |
Travel document
Valid until | Your passport / travel document must have at least 12 months of validity beyond the date of your visa application. |
Travel information
Visa type | D: long stay |
Main purpose of the journey | Academic travels More detailed: Higher education at a public institution (Article 58 or 60): students in a regular student trajectory (bachelor's, master's, postgraduate, (pre-)doctoral programmes) Mobility / student (Non-EEA+ Exchange students already residing legally in an EEA country or students admitted to a “mobility programme” (e.g. Erasmus Mundus, EIT-KIC, Double degree programme))
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Number of entries required | Select “Multiple entry”. With a single-entry visa you can enter the Schengen area only once. With a visa allowing for multiple entries you may enter several times during the validity of the visa. This is indicated by “MULT”.
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Member state of first entry | If you have no direct flight to Belgium or if you are travelling by other means, please indicate which Schengen Member State you will most likely enter first when crossing the Schengen Borders. |
Intended date of arrival | Enter the date of your intended arrival in the Schengen Area. |
Intended date of departure | Enter the date of your intended date of departure from the Schengen Area. If still unknown (multi-year stay), enter a date of your expected arrival +1 year. |
Duration of intended stay | Please indicate the number of days you are intending to stay in Belgium, according to your studies (conform intended arrival – intended departure). This does not influence the number of days granted to you in your visa which is the sole authority of the Embassy. Usually the visa is issued for 4 months or a year. |
References
Host or accommodation | Hotel or (temporary) accommodation: Please indicate the contact data of the temporary accommodation (hotel, B&B, Airbnb, hostel…) or your permanent accommodation (in case you have a lease already) where you will stay when in Belgium. We are aware that it is not easy to find housing, and there is a high likelihood that this situation will continue throughout the next academic year. We highly recommend you to secure permanent housing before your arrival in Belgium. Person: If you do not stay at a hotel or temporary accommodation, but with friends or family in the context of a visit to friends or family, please indicate their contact data here. Only check the additional box stating “Has the inviting person signed an official document with a commitment that charge will be taken and has this document been validated by the host country?” in case this person also is your guarantor under the annex 32 procedure. If not, leave blank.
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Inviting organization | School (not company) UAntwerpen Prinsstraat 13 2000 Antwerpen – Belgium Only complete the mandatory fields!
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Contact person | Select “Same address as the address of the organization” |
Financing of stay
Scholarship | Indicate “Other” – “reference organization” – “school or company” and fill in the required details |
Guarantorship (annex 32) | Indicate “other” – “reference person” – “person” and write down the required details |
Blocked account | Indicate “Visa applicant” and your details will be filled in. |
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 students (degree and PhD students) will not be able to apply for a visa at the same time.
You will have to take the following steps before the application of the family reunification visa can be started:
- You need to travel to Belgium first, register at the University of Antwerp, apply for a residence permit and register with a health insurance provider.
- You need to find suitable housing for yourself and your family. The rental agreement needs to be registered.
- You need to obtain a document from your health insurance company stating that you are covered and that your family members will be covered by health insurance in Belgium.