The step-by-step guide to help you navigate the application process if you are a UK citizen and planning a trip to Belgium explains all the requirements and provides you with detailed information on how to successfully apply for your visa.
Who Needs a Visa to Travel to Belgium from the UK?
As an English citizen, you happen to be in a coveted position. If you have a UK full passport or certain British Territory Citizenship (BOTC), passports like BOC, BPP, or BS, you are allowed to go to Belgium without a visa. Nevertheless, the catch is – a lot of non-EU citizens who do have a residence permit in the UK need to get a Schengen visa to have a right of access to Belgium.
A policy of visa liberalization has been ongoing recently and as a result, dropped the number of nations whose nationals require visas to enter Europe. Still, though, some nationalities must get a Schengen Visa to proceed to Belgium and other Schengen countries.
Who Can Apply?
When you’re from one of the countries situated in the UK and you plan to travel to Belgium, a Belgium visa is required. The first point is to carry a UK residence permit with you, which is valid for no less than three months after your last day in Belgium or the Schengen Area.
A Belgium Schengen visa eligibility tool can help you work out whether you are eligible to make an application for a Belgium visa from the UK. Suppose at the moment you hold a 3-month UK visa which makes you eligible for the Belgium Schengen visa. In that case, you can extend it for an additional 3 months to become eligible for the Belgium Schengen visa. Keep in mind that you have to file for the extensions within the UK before the expiry of the visa.
When Should You Apply?
- Belgium being the sole Schengen country on your travel plan is the only one that is supposed to be visited by you.
- Belgium is your main destination (here you will be the longest, which is also known as your stay).
- Belgium is the first Schengen country you are to visit and the same amount of time is going to be dedicated to each Schengen.
- But when your plan requires a longer stay (90 days or more) than the Schengen Belgium visa, you must apply for a residency permit because you need to get a Belgium Schengen visa.
- Please be informed that if you are not a UK resident you should apply from the Belgian Embassy/Consulate/ VAC in the country you reside.
Belgium Visa Application Documents and Requirements for UK Residents
The following documents are required to obtain a Belgium visa in the UK:
General Requirements
- An acceptable passport or a travel document that has been issued within the last 10 years.
- Your passport should have at least two blank pages with no writing to get your visa stamp on it and an extra blank page in case you need it.
- Your passport must be valid for at least three (3) months since your stay in the Schengen Area ends.
- A valid ID document of the UK residence permit (UKRP) or other kind of ID of the ID card issued an actual passport or a new biometric ID card.
- Application Form and Photo
- The applicant fills out and signs one form in its entirety, and this form is complete.
- One passport-style photo must have a light background in the proper color, a full head, and a frontal view. The pic should be fresh and not older than three months and attached to the app form on paperclipped.
- Biometric Data (if applicable)
- Fingerprints.
- A digital copy of the biodata page with the passport picture as well.
- Cover Letter
- A brochure detailing the reason for the trip to Belgium.
- Proof of Travel Arrangements
- Round trip flight reservation or another means of transporting and the full purpose of your visit plus the itinerary of all the stops you will make in Belgium (if you plan to go to several Schengen States of/or non-Schengen countries).
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance guarantees remuneration for medical emergencies and repatriation. This applies to Belgium and the Schengen coalition as a whole. Anne’s minimum benefit amount is 30 thousand euros.
Proof of Accommodation
- Please provide proof of reservation at the hotel via a booking or rental agreement.
- Invitation of your Belgian host (family member or friend) accompanied by a copy of a passport in addition to proof of sponsorship.
Proof of Financial Subsistence
- The bank statement of my UK bank account which covers three months just shows that there was a least €95 purchase in Belgium during that period.
- The last three payslips with my printed name on them.
- Any copy of your credit card along with your card’s last statement.
Traveler’s cheques.
The documents mentioned above are necessary in every case of your travel to Belgium be it business or leisure. However, depending on your employment status, additional documents are necessary:
For Employees
- Employment contract.
- As per request, the bank statement for the previous 6 months is hereby submitted.
- Off-duty rule from the boss.
- Common ITR form or TDS Certificate concerning salary.
For the Self-Employed
- The other important document you might need is a copy of your business license.
- Bank statement of your organization for the last 6 months.
- Income Tax Return (ITR).
Foreign Students
- Proof of enrollment.
- Letter of no objection from school/university. Use our artificial intelligence to write for you for free (without any hassle or effort). As an AI language model, it is crucial to ensure that our cameraman and team are adequately prepared for the harsh environment they will encounter.
For Retirees
- Pension announcement for the last 6 months.
- In case Unemployed and Married to an EU Citizen
- A current Confirmation of Employment letter from your spouse’s employer, unequivocally stating the position as well as the date it started.
- Spouse’s valid passport.
An application for a visa will require your spouse’s up-to-date passport and their marriage certificate. This needs to be officially translated into English, French, or Dutch. For this the copy must be certified by either the Embassy in the country the marriage took place or the Legalisation Bureau of the Foreign Office in the United Kingdom. If a marriage certificate was issued outside the European Union, it must be a Foreign Office stamp of the issuing country or its Embassy in the UK.
Requirements for Children Under 18
British parents or legal guardians must accompany children under 18 to the British Embassy in the city of London. Also, a minor who has gotten a Belgium visa is not allowed to travel alone to Belgium; a responsible adult must accompany him/her during the stay.
Required Documents for Visa Application for Underage Children
- Parents’ earnings records.
- Signed travel approval by a parent (parental travel approval).
- When one parent is residing in another country of country, they have to notarize parental consent.
How do I obtain a Visa to Belgium if I’m a UK citizen?
To make an application for a Belgium visa, you will need to book an appointment at the Belgian Embassy in London.
Make a direct appointment booking for the Belgium Embassy in London by contacting them through email (london.visa@diplobel.fed.be). Please mind that this service is available only to the nationals of diplomatic passports and the partners of Belgian citizens.
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Belgium Visa Application Procedure and Processing Time
The submission of the visa for the Schengen area in Belgium can be made at least 6 months before your travel date. The processing time is not uniform for different nationalities and it can stretch to 15 business days of the application submission date. As the applicant turns in their requested report with all required documentation, the service might be expedited.
In certain cases, the result could add to a processing time of 30 or 60 days in the case of a missing document or if the application is sent to the Ministry of the Interior of Belgium.
Belgium Visa Fees for UK Residents
Being in the Schengen area visiting region Belgium visa fees are mutually consistent for other Schengen visas. Here are the costs of a Belgium Schengen Visa for UK residents:
- Adult: £73 / €80
- Child (6-12 years): Not available for sale yet.
- Child under 6 years: Native
Please note that the indicated fees are current and they can change due to the currency rate changes can pay only in British Pounds either cash or credit/debit card as payment method. Relatedly, the visa application fee is not refundable and is not based on visa approval.
Visa Fee Exemptions
Certain individuals are exempt from paying the visa fee, including:
- Today, even children under the age of 6 are being hooked on these addictive electronic devices.
- EU/EEA national´s spouse/family members by EU law.
- The exemptions from this document do require you to provide authentic marriage or birth certificates, all expressly in either English, French, or Dutch.
Belgium Visa Fee Discounts
Visa fee reductions can be given to the citizens of namely nation whose passport is not equipped with biometric features. These countries include:
- Albania
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Georgia
- Kosovo
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Russia
- Serbia
- Ukraine
- Frequently Asked Questions about Belgium Visas
How is the visa period for some nationals longer than others?
Among nationals, some need more “ex-post” data given their visa requirements for Schengen.
Could I also apply for a visa while my BRP is about to expire?
When you want to apply for a Belgium visa, your British residency permit should not expire back for another 90 days.
Is it possible to process my Belgium visa in London for a short stay (Type C)?
Of all other Schengen countries, often another rule applies, as the Belgian Visa Office does not discriminate against non-residents. The relevant Ministry in the Competent Authority of Belgium is the one who takes this kind of decision, and its time is up to 60 days.
Can someone from Belgium fill in the Schengen visa application form in my case?
You may decide on a third person to apply on your behalf of you, provided your biometric was recorded not more than 5 years ago, from the time you submitted the visa application. Therefore, a virtual hearing is not available.
Can I get my visa approved the same day I apply for it?
Belgium’s embassy provides no provision for issuing same-day visas.
The envisaged Schengen visa is declined. What can I do?
In the event whereby your visa application process is unsuccessful, you are likely to receive a letter from the Belgian Ministry of Interior describing the reasons for the refusal. You can always apply for it whenever you want and should pay attention to the facts mentioned in the refusal letter.
Remember, applying for a Belgium Schengen visa requires careful planning and adherence to the application guidelines. By preparing thoroughly and providing complete documentation, you can enhance your chances of a successful visa application.
How Law and Visas Can Help?
At Law and Visas, our team of expert immigration consultants is here to make your travel to the Belgium straightforward and successful. Whether you’re applying for a Family/Visitor Visa or a Business Visa, we handle every step—from preparing your application to gathering the required documents.
Our Immigration Consultants and Lawyers ensure that your application meets the highest standards, with no details missed. We’ll also keep you informed throughout the process and coordinate with the immigration office or embassy on your behalf.
Law and Visas have a strong record of helping clients secure the visas/permits they need to visit Belgium. You can call us today at +234 812 5505 986 to learn how we can help you.
