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Instructions for short stay visa (visa C)
For information regarding applications for long stay (visa D) see next chapter.
For residents of Tanzania
All the necessary instructions can be found on the website of the Belgian Immigration Office (note: some information may only be available in French or Dutch). For more information contact VFS.
Schedule an appointment and visit the VFS centre to submit your application in person, together with all the necessary documents. Complete applications will be brought to the Belgian Embassy for decision on the day of submission.
For residents of Malawi
Belgium has signed a visa representation agreement with Norway in Malawi.
Applicants for short stay visa must submit their application at the Norway Visa Application Centre in Lilongwe, located in Corporate Mall in Paul Kagame Road (next to Road Traffic).
To book an appointment with the Norway VISA Application Centre in Lilongwe, go to VFS Global.
For more information, visit Norway in Malawi.
For residents of Mauritius
Mauritius nationals are exempted from visa for short stay (maximum 90 days).
For non-Mauritius nationals officially residing in Mauritius who wish to apply for a short-stay visa (maximum 90 days) must apply at the Embassy of France. For information on how to apply they can visit this website.
For residents of Zambia
Belgium signed a visa representation agreement with Sweden in Zambia.
Applicants residing in Zambia who wish to apply for a short-stay visa to Belgium must apply via VFS Global in Lusaka.
The following C-visa categories are excluded from the agreement:
- Visa for medical care
- Visa to conclude a marriage in Belgium
- Visa to sign a partnership contract in Belgium
- Visa within the framework of adoption or guardianship
- Return visa
- Visa applications from holders of diplomatic and service passports if the application is related to a posting at a diplomatic mission or international organization in Belgium
Applicants for these visa categories must follow the instructions provided for long stay visas.
Instructions for long stay visa (visa D)
All the necessary instructions can be found on the website of the Belgian Immigration Office (note: some information may only be available in French or Dutch). For more information contact VFS.
Schedule an appointment and visit the VFS centre to submit your application in person, together with all the necessary documents. Complete applications will be brought to the Belgian Embassy for decision on the day of submission.
Residents of Malawi, Mauritius and Zambia who apply for visa D (long stay) must also submit their application in person in Dar es Salaam - Tanzania, unless they:
- received an annex 46 or 47 (single permit) - list of documents to submit (below)
- received a scholarship from a recognised Belgian organisation
- Are Mauritius nationals who are going to study in Belgium in a public (funded) institution.
These three categories of applicants can send their application to the Embassy in Dar es Salaam by express mail.
Students (except those mentioned in the third exception category) who are not covered by a Belgian scholarship should remain in the vicinity of Dar es Salaam in the 15 days following the submission of their application for a student visa, for the organization of an interview at the Embassy.
- Visa fees (below)
- Payment method
Instructions for Mauritian students falling into the above category
Follow the instructions presented on the website of of the Belgian Immigration Office, and make sure you pay the administrative fee before you submit your application.
List of documents to submit (below)
Contact the Honorary Consulate in Port Louis to fill a specific questionnaire.
If you present an Annex 32, the guarantor residing in Mauritius must present him/herself at the Honorary Consulate in Port Louis, with an ID, to have his/her signature certified.
The legalisation of the Annex 32 (unless done in Belgium by a Belgian resident) must also be paid in advance on the Embassy Account. Check the amount and the payment method on this webpage.
General information on visa to Belgium
Short-stay visas
Schengen Rule
The (Category C) visa application has to be presented to the Embassy/Consulate of the country of main destination (determined by the purpose of the journey and the length of stay).
If your main destination cannot be ascertained, the Schengen state through which you first enter the territory of these countries is responsible for granting the visa.
Schengen Visa and Visa Code
In order to apply for a Schengen visa, the applicant needs to provide the documents as per the purpose of the trip. In individual cases, additional documents may be requested. Presentation of the documents does not automatically lead to the issuance of a visa and possession of a visa does not confer an automatic right of entry. There is no automatic entitlement or legal right to a Schengen visa. The ultimate decision regarding admission to the Schengen territory lies with the border authorities upon arrival.
The Visa Code standardizes the visa requirements which must be examined by the mission in the course of the visa procedure. The respective mission makes a decision on the visa application at its own discretion, taking into account all the circumstances in any given individual case.
All visa applicants for Belgium are advised to schedule an appointment and visit the VFS centre to submit their applications, together with all necessary documents.
Applications must be sumbmitted minimum 15 days prior to the departure date. Applicants are therefore requested to organise themselves accordingly, taking into consideration possible waiting periods due to the online appointment system.
The purpose of the proposed visit may not be altered once the visa has been issued. This is also applicable after entering the Schengen territory.
Information on this website is subject to change, kindly check the information for updates before you apply.
Guarantees for return
The applicant is requested to provide as much information as possible to document his/her family background, professional and socio-economic status, ownership of land or real estate (for instance: proof of family bonds with his/her country of origin, proof of regular income and stable source of revenues from the applicant and/or his/her partner, proof of property, etc.).
This information is essential to correctly judge the intention of the applicant to leave the Schengen area before the expiry of his/her visa.
Photo and biometrics
When you apply for a visa to Europe, biometrics are among the vital requirements for the completion of your application.
For Schengen visas the chosen biometric identifier method is a digital photo and electronic fingerprints. All fingers of a visa applicant are electronically scanned in a quick, inkless process during the interview with the applicant.
In case you have already submitted your fingerprints for a previous Schengen visa application in the last 59 months, you are not required to submit them again.
Kindly note that, if it would appear that the fingerprints prove not to be present in the VIS system, you will be asked to reappear in person for new biometric data collection. To avoid this possible complication, you have the right to ask for your fingerprints to be taken again.
On this website, you can find all of the Schengen visa photograph requirements and specifications elaborated in a clear and understandable way.
Please note: children aged 6 years and above will need to be present to record their biometrics.
Long Stay Visa
The Belgian Embassy is only allowed to issue a national or long term visa (Category D), if this has been approved by the Foreigner’s Office in Belgium. You will be informed automatically when the residence permit has been authorized.
Your visa can only be issued to you in Tanzania. It cannot be forwarded to Belgium. The holder of a D visa must report to the municipal administration of the place where he/she resides within 8 days of his/her arrival in Belgium. After a residence enquiry, he/she is registered in the register of foreigners and receives a residence permit.
Documents required
Travel insurance is mandatory for all Schengen countries.
For more information on the documents required, please refer to the checklists provided by VFS / the Embassy and to website of the Belgian Immigration Office.
Machine readable visas and passports
Machine readable visas (issued by the Embassy of Belgium) are never to be applied on the reverse side of a passport page already containing another machine readable visa (regardless of the country of issuance & the validity of that visa). Therefore, it is advisable that your passport contains at least one double blank page reserved for visas (blank front and back). Be informed that your visa will not be affixed if your passport doesn't comply with these new criteria, in which case you will be requested to submit a new passport.
Photo specifications
When you apply for a visa to Europe, biometrics are among the vital requirements for the completion of your application.
For Schengen visas the chosen biometric identifier method is a digital photo and electronic fingerprints. All fingers of a visa applicant are electronically scanned in a quick, inkless process during the interview with the applicant.
In case you have already submitted your fingerprints for a previous Schengen visa application in the last 59 months, you are not required to submit them again.
Kindly note that, if it would appear that the fingerprints prove not to be present in the VIS system, you will be asked to reappear in person for new biometric data collection. To avoid this possible complication, you have the right to ask for your fingerprints to be taken again.
On this website, you can find all of the Schengen visa photograph requirements and specifications elaborated in a clear and understandable way.
Please note: children aged 6 years and above will need to be present to record their biometrics.
Processing time
The processing time for the application at the Embassy of Belgium is approximately 4 to 60 days
Please be advised that due to the above mentioned minimum processing time, we are not able to guarantee the return of passports by specific dates for travel.
Please be sure to submit your visa application well in advance, to avoid any inconveniences
Tracking of applications
When the Embassy forwards your visa application to the Immigration Office for decision, you can follow your file through the application Where is my visa application?
Visa form
To be downloaded from Visa On Web.
The Immigration Office - Belgian Federal Ministry of the Interior
As a federal public organisation, the Immigration Office is responsible for the application of the law of 15 December 1980 and the royal decree of 8 October 1981 on access to the territory, stay, establishment and removal of foreigners.
Within the framework of its missions, it also ensures compliance with various other European or international regulations.
For every foreign national, the IO makes a decision:
- Transparent: based on clear and precise regulations
- Correct: in accordance with the law, with reasons in law and in fact
- Objective: with an assessment free of prejudice
- Individual: each application is treated on a case-by-case basis
The IO also contributes to developing a humane and orderly management of migration to Belgium. Beyond cultural differences, it intends to support a firm but humane migration programme that respects universal laws and values.
Disclaimer: The Embassy of the Kindgom of Belgium wishes to alert all potential applicants of the existence of scam sites. Please only use the authorized channels, don't submit personal information online and don't make any online payments.