No visa needed
If you are a national of an European Economic Area country (EU + Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein), Switzerland or one of the countries in the list below, you may travel to Belgium on the strength of a national passport or identity card.
List of countries without visa obligation for a maximum of 90 days*
Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, East Timor, El Salvador, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Macao, FYR of Macedonia, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint-Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, the United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Vatican City, Venezuela.
*Last update: 18 February 2019. Click here to consult the original regulation and list. For some countries, important limitations are formulated. In case of doubt, contact the Belgian Embassy or Consulate in your home country.
Visa needed
If you have any other nationality, you have to apply for a visa (short-stay period of maximum 90 days, type C) with the Belgian embassy or consulate in your current country of residence before leaving for Belgium.
IMPORTANT: If Belgium is your only or your principal destination, you must apply for a visa at the authorized Belgian Consulate or Embassy (see below). If you turn up at the external borders of another Schengen State, you will be liable to be refused entry. Furthermore, holding a visa issued by another Schengen State when the purpose of your journey is to attend a summer school in Belgium could also be ground for refusal of entry.
Upon acceptance and after payment, you can request a visa invitation letter through Mobility Online.
More info on visa requirements and procedure
Timing
For some countries and during some periods of the year, approval by the Belgian authorities can take up to three months. Make sure you start the visa application procedure well in advance to avoid any disappointment and unnecessary costs.