Travelling to Belgium from India? Here’s How You Get Your Visa

Belgium is a gem of the European Union. It attracts travelers with its picturesque cities, history, and delectable chocolates. 

So, if you are an Indian national planning a trip to Belgium, the first step is obtaining the appropriate visa. 

Thus, this guide provides comprehensive details on getting a Belgium visa from India, including the types of visas you can apply for, eligibility criteria, requirements for each visa type, and a step-by-step visa application process. 

So, stay connected with us till the end of this blog!

Why is Belgium the Ultimate Choice for Indians?

Belgium is considered one of the most highly developed countries in Europe, because of its presence in the European Union. This is why the country attracts tourists globally!

Yet, it is nestled between France, Germany, and the Netherlands. Moreover, Belgium is well-known for its history, culture, and mouth-watering chocolates. 

Facts File of Belgium

So, here is a table showing the famous and informative facts about Belgium.

Aspects	Details
Languages	Belgium has three official languages: Dutch, French, and German.
Capital	Brussels is the capital of Belgium.
Currency	The official currency of Belgium is the Euro.
Area	Belgium is 11,787 square miles (30,528 square kilometers) in size.
Population	Belgium has a population of 11,570,762.
Famous for	Belgium is famous for its beer, chocolate, waffles, and French fries.
Inventions	Adolphe Sax invented the saxophone in Belgium in the 1840s. Belgians are also credited with inventing French fries in the 17th century.
Tram line	Belgium has the world’s longest tram line, the Kusttram, which runs 68 kilometers between the French and Dutch borders.

What is a Belgium Visa?

A Belgium visa is also known as a Schengen visa. So, this visa allows foreign nationals, including Indians, to visit Belgium and other Schengen countries for up to 90 days per entry within 180 days. OR

The Belgian authorities decide whether to grant a single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry visa. A multiple-entry visa can be valid for 180 days to 5 years. 

What is a Schengen Visa?

A Schengen visa is a travel permit that is required for travelers who aren’t from the EU or a visa-exempt country and want to visit the Schengen Area for up to 90 days. 

What are the Other Types of Belgium Visas for Indians?

So, depending on the purpose of the visit & the duration of stay, the following Belgium visas are granted to Indian nationals.

1. Short-Term Stay Visas

A short-stay visa, also known as a Schengen visa, is valid for 90 days, within a total of 180 days. So, Indians can apply for the following short-term Belgium visas. 

Short-Term Stay Belgium Visa Types
Visa Types	Purpose	Requirements	Explanation & Visa validity
Tourist Visa	This visa is granted to Indians for tourism purposes such as sightseeing, spending vacations, etc.	An invitation letter is required for this visa if someone invites you to Belgium.	Allows a stay of 90 days within a total of 180 days.
Business Visa	For attending short-term business meetings & conferences & events in Belgium.	An invitation letter from the Belgium sponsor company. Business registration proofs Proof of employment (if employed)	Specifically granted for 90 days & extendable depending on circumstances.
Study Visa	Granted to those Indians who want to enroll themselves in the educational program in Belgium.	Invitation letter from a Belgium educational institute Academic transcripts Paid tax slips	This is valid for the course duration you are enrolled in, with an extension policy.
Family Visit Visa	For visiting family members or friends residing in Belgium.	An invitation letter from the host is required. Proof of sponsorship	Generally, it is issued for short-term stays & can be extended depending on the individual circumstances.
Work Visa	For those Indians who want to legally work in Belgium.	A work permit is given by the employer Employment letter provided by the Belgium employer	The validity of a work visa is based on the employment contract & it is extendable.

2. Long-Term Stay Visas

Besides the short-term stay visas, some long-term stay visas in Belgium are as follows:

Residence Permit

Required for expats who want to stay in Belgium for longer than 90 days, depending on their nationality. 

Belgian Golden Visa

A Golden Visa of Belgium allows successful applicants to become permanent residents or citizens of Belgium. 

So, to become a permanent resident or citizen, you must reside in Belgium for at least 180 days per year. 

What are the Eligibility Criteria for Indians Obtaining a Belgium Visa?

Indian nationals must meet the eligibility criteria for a Belgium visa, as set by the authorities. 

So, remember these key points.

1. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned departure date from the Schengen Area. 
2. Confirmation of your hotel bookings or an invitation letter from a host in Belgium. 
3. Moreover, evidence of sufficient funds to cover your stay in Belgium. 
4. A confirmed round-trip flight reservation. 
5. You must not have any criminal convictions that could affect your visa application. 
6. Besides, they do not have any previous visa violation or rejection history.
7. A medical certificate, especially a COVID-19 Vaccination certificate, is required. 

What are the Requirements for Indians Applying for a Belgium Visa for Indians?

Some visa requirements are set by the Belgian authorities for granting visas. 

So, ensure you have the following documents while applying for a visa. 

Valid Passport

Firstly, make sure you have a valid Indian passport that meets the following criteria. 

It was issued to you in the past 10 years. 

The passport must be valid for 6 months beyond your planned stay in Belgium.

Make sure your passport has no wear, tear, or damage.

Visa Application Form

You must complete an application form with accurate information and details to apply for a Belgium visa in India. 

The visa application form can be downloaded from the official website of Belgium.

Flight Itinerary

To prove your travel plans to the Belgium authorities, ensure you have verified proof of flight reservation. You can get your flight ticket from SFRV Travels.

Generally, the information provided in the dummy flight ticket is as follows:

1. Passenger’s name (as mentioned in passport)
2. Flight name & number
3. Airport IATA codes
4. Arrival & departure dates & time
5. Airport layovers 

Photographs

You must have at least two passport-size photographs to attach to your visa application form. 

So, the photographs must meet the criteria set by the Schengen authorities.

Proof of Accommodation

You must provide valid proof of accommodation to confirm your stay arrangements. Ensure you have reserved a hotel or hostel for your entire stay in Belgium. You can easily get it from SFRV Travels.

Besides, if you are staying with family members or friends or a host has invited you to Belgium, then provide an invitation letter and accommodation for the host. 

Proof of Financial Means

You must be financially stable enough to cover your expenses in Belgium. The documents below can be submitted as proof of your financial stability. 

• • Bank statement (of past 6 months)
  • Traveler’s cheque
  • Cash
  • Sponsorship letter
  • ITR (Income Tax Return)
  • Salary slip (if employed)

Remember: The minimum bank balance required is approximately €95 per day of stay, plus accommodation costs.

Travel Insurance Policy

Make sure you have travel insurance for Schengen visa​ coverage of 50,000 USD. So, the insurance policy is mandatory to cover the expenses of  unforeseen emergencies such as:

1. Hospitalization
2. Repatriation
3. Loss of baggage
4. Flight cancellation
5. Evocation
6. 24/7 support

Cover Letter for Belgium Visa

A cover letter is an essential part of a Belgium visa. Yet, it provides a summary of your travel plans to the Belgium visa authorities. 

Moreover, a professionally crafted cover letter also increases the chances of visa approval. 

You can buy a well-crafted cover letter from travel experts at a minimal cost at https://coverletterforvisa.com

What are the Supplementary Requirements Depending on the Specific Applicant Category?

Besides the mandatory requirements above, you must provide additional documents according to your category. 

For Minors

1. Birth certificate 
2. Permission letter (signed by parents/legal guardian)
3. Passport of parents/legal guardian

If Employed

1. Salary slips (past 6 months)
2. Employment contract
3. Permission letter signed by the company

If Self-Employed

So, if you are self-employed & running your own business, then provide the following documents

1. Business registration certificate
2. Bank statements
3. Other evidence related to your business

Where Can Indians Apply for a Belgium Visa?

You can apply for a visa through VFS Global to travel to Belgium from India. 

“It is a company that processes visa applications on behalf of the Belgian Embassy.”

So, the steps for a Belgium visa application are very simple & straightforward. 

Step 1: Visit VFS Global for a Belgium Visa

Firstly, visit VFS Global for a Belgium visa.

Step 2: Select Countries

Then, type your destination & home country name for further processing of the visa application.

Then, a new tab will open, containing multiple options. From these options, click on the first one, “Apply for a visa.”

After that, a new page showing a step-by-step guide about the Belgium visa from India will open. 

Step 3: Identify Visa Type 

Then, from the given steps, first identify your visa type. 

By clicking on Visa Types, a new tab will open, so choose the appropriate visa type. 

Step 4: Fill Out the Visa Application form 

The next step is to complete the visa application form. You need to download it and fill it out with accurate information. 

Read the instructions in the image, & visit the Visa on Web Portal. Then, register yourself if you have not registered before.

Then, verify yourself & set a new password. After that, you can fill out the visa application form at the VOW website & read the instructions too.

Step 5: Book an Appointment at the Belgium VFS Global

You can book an appointment for a Belgium visa on the VFS Global website. The Belgium Embassy in India conducts visa interviews and can also help with the immigration process.

Step 6: Visit VAC

Then, visit the visa application center for a visa interview, payment of visa fees, & biometric verification. 

Step 7: Pay Visa Fees

Then, pay the visa fees, it is also called the Schengen visa fees, that is:

Applicant`s Category	Visa Fees (Euros)	Visa Fees (INR)
Adults	90 euros	9266.13
Minors (between 6-12 years)	45 euros	4633.07
Minors (between 0-5)	Free	Free

Please note that the amount in Indian currency is subject to change depending on the current exchange rate. So, make sure to verify it before visiting the visa application center.

Step 8: Wait for Processing

Then return home and wait for the processing of the visa application. So, the general processing time for a Belgium visa application is 10 to 15 days. 

Yet, the processing time varies depending on the volume of visa applications, the examination process, and any additional requirements. 

Remember: If your visa is approved, you’ll receive a notification via email, phone call, or letter. The notification will include instructions on collecting your visa and any additional requirements.

Step 9: Collect Your Belgium Visa Passport

Lastly, collect your passport from the VAC center within the government’s time. If you are unable to collect it, ask the authorities to send it by courier, which has some additional charges. 

For your information: You can track your Belgium visa application to check its status.

FAQs- Belgium Visa from India

Here are some frequently asked questions by Indian visa applicants about Belgium visas. So, let’s take a look at them. 

1. What Can I Do if My Belgium Visa Application is Rejected?

You can reapply for a visa if your visa application is rejected. Besides, you can ask the visa official about the reason for the rejection of the visa application. 

2. Can I Work in Belgium on a Schengen Visa?

No, a Schengen visa does not permit employment. You need a work permit and a Type D visa to work legally in Belgium.

3. How do I Appeal a Visa Rejection?

Submit an appeal in writing to the Belgian Embassy or Consulate within 30 days of receiving the rejection letter. 

4. Is a No Objection Certificate (NOC) Required for Belgium Visa Applications?

A NOC (No Objection Certificate) from your employer or educational institution may be required to show that you are authorized to travel and will return after your trip.

5. Can I visit other Schengen countries with a Belgium visa?

Yes, you can visit other Schengen countries with a valid Belgium visa. However, make sure that Belgium remains your first point of entry or the country where you will spend most of your time.

Final Thoughts:

Collecting the right documents and understanding the requirements will make the application process for a Belgium visa from India easy. Therefore, irrespective of the visit purpose, carefully preparing the application can ensure that you have a smooth visa process.

Belgium is a world-renowned place for Indian travelers due to its history, architecture, and chocolates. Therefore, you can simplify your visa journey by getting essential documents from Schengen Flight Reservation for Visa. As a result, you will meet the embassy standards effectively. Ta-da!

Check this out:

Greece visa for Indians → Learn how Indians can apply for a Greece Schengen visa, including requirements, application steps, and processing details.

Hungary visa for Indians → Discover the complete process for Indians applying for a Hungary Schengen visa, covering documents, eligibility, and visa fees.

Latvia visa for Indians → Get detailed information on applying for a Latvia Schengen visa from India, including required documents and step-by-step application guide.

 

 

 

A little Bit About Us

At Schengen Flight Reservation for Visa, we make the often overwhelming visa process a breeze. With verifiable documents at unbeatable prices, you are covered with Flight Reservations/Itinerary/Dummy tickets, Hotel Bookings (Proof of Accommodation), and a Travel Insurance Policy. 

But that’s not all. Our services and blogs on writing a cover letter for a visa make your application process even smoother. 

Are you stuck on something? Check our FAQs section or connect with us anytime through our 24/7 Live Chat because your convenience is our priority. 

Our Blog section is your ultimate guide to navigating the ever-evolving world of visa policies & requirements. 

Whether you are curious about the visa requirements for any country, changing visa rules & regulations, or need a comprehensive guide about any topic or visa of any country, then simply type your Query in our Blog search bar & get the ultimate detail in just a click.

So, let’s make your visa journey seamless, informed & stress-free!