Belgium Tourist Visa - Definitive Guide

A visa, in general, is an endorsement you need to enter a country. Most countries require a visa, depending upon the purpose of the visit. Belgium is a part of the Schengen states, and as a result, any Schengen visa can be used to travel to Belgium. However, if Belgium is your main destination of travel, you will need to obtain the visa through a Belgian embassy. 

To enter Belgium for the purpose of tourism, you need a Belgium tourist visa. It is a short term visa and can be used for multiple purposes like visiting a family, sightseeing, attending cultural events, and other leisure activities. The visa gives you permission to enter Belgium and stay for a maximum of 90 days in a 180-day period. The application has to be made within no more than 3 months before the date of intended travel. 

The path to your Belgium visa can be quite tricky and demanding, especially when it comes to the documents. However, this guide will make it simple and straightforward. Belgium visa applications can be applied through the Belgium embassy in the country you are applying from, or Belgium consulates, or through visa centers to which Belgium has outsourced the visa submission. The following steps explain the procedure -

1. Determine where you are going to apply for your visa.
2. Obtain the necessary documents - Ensure that you have the right documents for the visa type according to the embassy requirements.
3. Create an account with the online visa application platform. 
4. Fill up the Belgium tourist visa application form with your details. 
5. Select your preferred visa appointment date, time and location.
6. Once this is done, you will receive a confirmation, as well as a copy of your application form to your registered email address.
7. Take a print out of the application form, and attend the appointment at the appropriate visa application center or embassy/consulate, along with the documents. You will have to pay your Belgium tourist visa fees here.
8. Once your application is submitted, it will now be processed by the embassy, and you can track the status of your application. 

Please note that in certain cases where they are unable to verify the documents or may need additional proof,  you may have to attend an interview at the embassy or consulate.

 The process needs to be done with great accuracy and precision as any mistakes in the application can cause your visa processing to be delayed, or your application to be rejected. Visa rejections can prove to be fatal in the long run. As a result, it is highly recommended to obtain the services of a professional visa agency to do the process hassle-free and faster.

To apply for a Belgium tourist visa from India, you have to keep in mind the following aspects -

• You have to be an Indian citizen.
• You need to have a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of intended travel and has at least 2 blank pages.
• Your purpose of visit has to be tourism alone and that you are not going to take part in work, business, and other activities.
• You only require a Belgium visa if Belgium is your only destination, or
• Belgium is one of your multiple Schengen destinations -  in which case you are spending the majority of the travel period in Belgium, or, you are spending equal time in all the other destinations where Belgium is your port of entry.

Once your processing is successful, you will receive your visa by courier, or self pick-up depending on your preferred selection. Once you get your Belgium tourist visa, you have to keep the following in mind.

• It is extremely important to make note of the visa expiry, as well as confirm that the details are correct. 
• Your tourist visa is a short term visa, and therefore will be valid for 180 days from the date of issue. 
• Make sure that you do not exceed the period of stay in Belgium without proper extension as this can lead to dire consequences.
• Always carry a copy of your passport and visa with you while you are in the country.
• Since this is a tourist visa, you are prohibited from working while you are in Belgium, and your sole purpose of the visit has to be tourism.
• You cannot sell goods or services while you are on a tourist visa.

The documents required for visa application vary upon the country, type of visa, the period of stay, and so on. The documents required for Belgium tourist visa are as follows - 

• Passport- 
  1. The passport should consist of at least 2 blank pages.
  2. It should be valid for at least 6 months from the date of intended travel.
  3. Passports issued beyond 10 years are not accepted.
  4. Old passports, if any, are to be attached.
• The Belgium tourist visa application form duly filled and signed by the applicant
• Covering letter - 
  1. The letter should include the applicant's basic details such as name, designation, address, passport number.
  2. It should clearly mention the person who will be bearing the expenses.
  3. It should clearly state the purpose and duration of the visit.
  4. It should be signed by the applicant and addressed to the Belgian embassy / Consulate.
• Travel itinerary/documents - 
  1. A day wise flight and travel itinerary 
  2. Confirmed flight tickets
  3. Proof of accommodation 
• Travel insurance - 

Medical travel insurance covering expenses up to 30000 Euros

• Proof of occupation - 

1. 1. If employed -
      • Employment contract copy, Employee ID card copy
      • Letter from employer stating sanction of leave for the travel period
      • NOC (No objection certificate) from the company
        
   2. If self-employe -
      • A copy of the business license
      • Copy in the commerce register or as a partner in a company
   3. If student -
      • Letter granting leave for the travel period
      • Proof of admission
      • NOC from the institution
   4. If retired -
      • Pension statement of the latest 6 months
      • Copy of Retirement letter/relieving letter
        

• Financial documents -

Personal bank statements for the last 3 months or copy of updated passbook showing sufficient funds or income tax papers/salary slips (If employed). Income tax statement of the last 3 years or form no 16 ( if self-employed).

• Dimensions:  35mm X 45mm
• Colour: Coloured
• Head must occupy the central position
• Must be captured within the last 3 months
• Background: Solid, plain white or grey
• Must have 80% face coverage
• The facial expression must be neutral
• Eyes must be directed towards the camera and wide open. 
• Glasses: Non-thick framed and prescription are permitted
• Headgears are allowed only for religious reasons
• Facial hair is permitted

The normal Belgium tourist visa processing time is 15 working days. However, depending on several factors, it can fluctuate. In some cases in which the embassy receives a large volume of applications, or if your application is sensitive, it can take up to 30 days. Also in certain extraordinary cases, it could even take as long as 60 days. Therefore, it is advised to apply by keeping in mind the processing time. However, the application cannot be made more than 3 months prior to the date of intended travel.

The Belgium tourist visa fees include a handling fee, and other service fees, if applicable. It depends on various parameters including the mode of application, type of person traveling (student, minor, diplomat, etc). For an adult, the visa handling fees is 60 Euros. However, if you are submitting the documents at a Belgium visa application center, a service charge also has to be paid at the center. Apart from this, several factors such as the urgency, number of entries, duration of visa, etc also affect the fees.

Once you have submitted your visa application for processing, you can track the status. In the case that you submitted the documents to the Belgium embassy or consulate, you can track the status by contacting them via email. This, however, might not get you the expected response. If you have submitted it through a visa application center, you can use your last name and passport number, or a tracking ID in case they provide you with one, to track the status through their website. Alternately, if you are using the services of a visa agency, upon providing them with your name, they can track it for you.