Overview of Belgium
Located on the English Channel, this geographically small, yet densely populated country of 11.5 million people is situated between France, Germany, and the Netherlands, and is a short trip to both Paris and London. The diplomatic center of Europe, Belgium was one of 6 original members of the European Union, and its capital Brussels is the seat of the E.U. Host to a multilingual population, Belgium recognizes French, German and Dutch as official languages; its culture is a unique blend of all 3 influences. A picturesque and charming country, visitors to Belgium can sample its eponymous chocolates and waffles and visit Bruges, the architecturally significant medieval city and UNESCO heritage site. Belgium was present at the beginning of the Schengen Visas as one of the 5 original signatories to the Schengen Agreement, in 1985. In 1995, when the treaty was implemented, Belgium stood alongside 7 countries to form the original Schengen area.
Belgium Schengen Visa Eligibility
Schengen visa eligibility for Belgium includes third-country nationals from the following states, who are excluded from visa-free to Belgium/the Schengen area, and are therefore eligible to apply for a Belgium Schengen visa:
| 1. AFGHANISTAN | 53. LAOS |
| 2. ALGERIA | 54. LEBANON |
| 3. ANGOLA | 55. LESOTHO |
| 4. ARMENIA | 56. LIBERIA |
| 5. AZERBAIJAN | 57. LIBYA |
| 6. BAHRAIN | 58. MADAGASCAR |
| 7. BANGLADESH | 59. MALAWI |
| 8. BELARUS | 60. MALDIVES |
| 9. BELIZE | 61. MALI |
| 10. BENIN | 62. MAURITANIA |
| 11. BHUTAN | 63. MONGOLIA |
| 12. BOLIVIA | 64. MOROCCO |
| 13. BOTSWANA | 65. MOZAMBIQUE |
| 14. BURKINA FASO | 66. NAMIBIA |
| 15. BURMA/MYANMAR | 67. NAURU |
| 16. BURUNDI | 68. NEPAL |
| 17. CAMBODIA | 69. NIGER |
| 18. CAMEROON | 70. NIGERIA |
| 19. CAPE VERDE | 71. NORTH KOREA |
| 20. CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC | 72. OMAN |
| 21. CHAD | 73. PAKISTAN |
| 22. CHINA | 74. PAPUA NEW GUINEA |
| 23. COMOROS | 75. PHILIPPINES |
| 24. CONGO | 76. QATAR |
| 25. COTE D’IVOIRE | 77. RUSSIA |
| 26. CUBA | 78. RWANDA |
| 27. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO | 79. SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE |
| 28. DJIBOUTI | 80. SAUDI ARABIA |
| 29. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC | 81. SENEGAL |
| 30. ECUADOR | 82. SIERRA LEONE |
| 31. EGYPT | 83. SOMALIA |
| 32. EQUATORIAL GUINEA | 84. SOUTH AFRICA |
| 33. ERITREA | 85. SOUTH SUDAN |
| 34. ETHIOPIA | 86. SRI LANKA |
| 35. FIJI | 87. SUDAN |
| 36. GABON | 88. SURINAME |
| 37. GAMBIA | 89. SWAZILAND |
| 38. GHANA | 90. SYRIA |
| 39. GUINEA | 91. TAJIKISTAN |
| 40. GUINEA-BISSAU | 92. TANZANIA |
| 41. GUYANA | 93. THAILAND |
| 42. HAITI | 94. TOGO |
| 43. INDIA | 95. TUNISIA |
| 44. INDONESIA | 96. TURKEY |
| 45. IRAN | 97. TURKMENISTAN |
| 46. IRAQ | 98. UGANDA |
| 47. JAMAICA | 99. UZBEKISTAN |
| 48. JORDAN | 100.VIETNAM |
| 49. KAZAKHSTAN | 101.YEMEN |
| 50. KENYA | 102.ZAMBIA |
| 51. KUWAIT | 103.ZIMBABWE |
| 52. KYRGYZSTAN |
Belgium Schengen Visa Fee
The standard Belgium Schengen visa fee for an adult is 80 Euros. Certain types of applicants (most students, children under 6) are exempt from all visa fees. To get a Schengen visa for Belgium, you will likely have to submit a service payment with your visa application-this is a separate cost from the visa fee. Please note that these fees are non-refundable.
When to Apply for
Submit your application at least 15 days prior to the day you intend to travel, and no earlier than 6 months before you leave.
Processing Time for Belgium Schengen Visa
The processing time for a Belgium Schengen visa is generally 15 days, although the current processing time is 30-85 days. Belgium Schengen visa processing times vary according to what type and category of visa you are applying for, as well as when you are applying (winter vs. summer, etc.).
Finally, once you obtain your Schengen Visa for Belgium, please note the following:
Your visa may be revoked if you do not notify the Belgian Consulate/visa application center of any changes to your trip itinerary that occur after you have submitted your application.
Being approved for a Schengen visa does not guarantee you entry to either Belgium or the general Schengen area-you can still be refused entry to both places upon arrival.
Alternatively, you may have to show additional documents regarding your finances or accommodation in order to enter Belgium/the Schengen area.
