Belgium Tourist Visa

Are you planning a trip to Belgium, to explore its wonderful historic cities, enrich your mind and body with the tasty chocolates and waffles, or have a reunion with your family or friends? If yes, then the first step to identify is that if you are residing in any other country. You will have to find out whether you will need a Schengen Visa to enter Belgium. Hence, you can find more details as you go below about the Belgium Visa requirements. Like how to acquire a Belgium Tourist Visa, especially if you are applying from the country of the UK.

Belgium Tourist Visa Requirements

If you are from any country that is not a part of the European Union or the Schengen area. You might need a Schengen Visa to visit Belgium. So, as far as the UK is concerned, the citizens won’t require any kind of Visa to enter Belgium for a maximum of 90 days. If it exceeds 90 days, then a Belgium Tourist Visa would be required to apply. For residents of the UK who hold a passport of another nationality, they will definitely have to apply for a Belgium Visa even for a short visit of 90 days. This is why in common language, it is also known as a short-stay Visa.

Schengen Visa Type C

One of the most common short-stay visas is the Type C Schengen Visa. If you have reasons to visit Belgium that comply with tourism, business-related trips, or to meet your family or friends. Some of the features of this short-stay Visa are:

• You get to stay in the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days within the 180 day period.
• You will get the advantage of visiting other Schengen countries such as France, Germany, Netherlands, which in this case, after entering Belgium as the main destination.

Important Pointers to Remember

• You cannot work in Belgium or other Schengen countries with this short stay Visa.
• You will have to leave the Schengen Area before the Visa expires.
• Since you are planning to stay most of your time in Belgium, a Belgium Tourist Visa should be your first option to apply.

Belgium Visa from UK

As mentioned above, if you are living in the UK but you are not a UK or an EU citizen, then you will need a Visa to travel to Belgium. As a matter of fact, the citizens of UK won’t need any visa for short stays, but if you are staying as a resident of UK with a passport of other nationalities, then you do need a Belgium Visa.

To apply for a Belgium Visa from the UK, you must:

• Show the legal residence status in the UK. UK eVisa/ share code (BRP)
• You will have to support the fact that you will return to UK after your trip.
• Further details can be found by applying for BELGIUM VISAS UK.

Note: Your Residence Permit should be valid for an extra three months after you return from Belgium to UK.

Belgium Visitor Visa from UK

If you want to visit a friend or family member who resides in Belgium, then you will have to apply for a Belgium Visitor Visa. Though it is quite similar to the Belgium Tourist Visa, there are a bit differences. Extra documents needed for Belgium Visitor Visa:

• Invitation Letter: you will have to get a letter from a friend or relative duly signed who is residing in Belgium.
• Proof of Relationship: The family members’ relations should be established by presenting your birth certificate or marriage certificate.
• Host’s ID or residence permit: The family member or friends staying in Belgium need to show proof that they are living in Belgium legally.
• Accommodation guarantee form: This is a separate form that needs to be filled if the host from Belgium will be providing housing and meals and during the entire stay.

Note: This is also a Type C Schengen Visa, so ensure that your stay does not exceed 90 days.

Apply for a Belgium Visa from UK

Follow the steps to apply for a Belgium Tourist Visa from UK in the most simple way:

• Click on the “Apply Online” tab in BELGIUM VISA UK. Fill out the form page and submit.
• An executive will immediately contact you to discuss further.
• Pay the Visa Fees, so that a Visa Appointment at the Visa Centre can be booked.
• Visit the Visa Centre at least 10 minutes before the appointed time. Submit the documents and finish the rest of the formalities that the staff asks for.
• Wait for the Belgium Tourist Visa to get approved.

Essential Tips:

• Ensure that you apply at least 3 to 4 weeks before your planned trip.
• If it is urgent, then apply online immediately at BELGIUM VISAS UK so that our experienced team can find the best solution for you.

Belgium Tourist Visa Processing Time

Depending on the time of the year and gravity of your case, Visa processing times can vary:

• Standard processing time is around 15 calendar days after the appointment.
• Peak times can extend your waiting time to 30 days.
• In special cases or in requirement of additional documents, the processing time takes longer and can even go further 60 days.

To prevent this:

• Apply as early as possible. You can apply early upto 6 months in advance.
• Ensure that your documents are complete and correct.