Belgium Student Visa - Definitive Guide

When a student is looking forward to acquiring education from Belgium, a student visa for Belgium in the name of this candidate is issued. There are several benefits to this permit. The holder can study as well as tour the country at the same time. If allowed, the holder can even work part-time on the visa. The validity of the visa will differ as per the type of the same. There are two types of visa which are differentiated as per the validity. They are as follows:

• Short term - Type C

This is the kind of Belgium study visa that is issued to the candidates who are willing to acquire a short term course or education for less than 3 months. It can also be for acquiring some sort of training, internship or for attending summer school in Belgium.

• Long term - Type D

The long term Belgium study visa is for pursuing an education that might certainly take longer than three months. It can be for studying a long term course or acquiring a degree. This is generally a multiple entry visa and the duration of the stay is not specified as well.

Before moving forward with the application of obtaining a student visa for Belgium, you first need to make sure that you are an eligible candidate for the same. The process of application is mainly offline and is given as follows:

1. Visit the official website of Belgium Embassy.
2. Create an account if you don’t already have one.
3. Log on to your account and fill in the Belgium visa application form online.
4. You can then book a visa appointment at a VAC, Belgium Embassy or the Consulate.
5. Print out a copy of the application form you have received via the registered email address.
6. Attend the visa appointment and submit your biometric along with the mentioned documents and your Belgium student visa application form. Also note that if you biometrics are mandatory if you are applying for the first time or if you have submitted biometrics before 2nd November, 2015. Biometrics are also required only for long term visas.
7. Pay the required fees along with any additional service charges at the designated location.
8. Once your Belgium student visa application has been submitted, it will be processed by the Belgian Embassy/Consulate.

There are a few things that you need to note at the time of filling out the application. The information that you are providing must be true and the details in the application form must match the details in the passport and other travel documents. If there is any kind of information that is incorrect or false, there are chances that your visa application may get rejected. There are other causes of a visa rejection as well. Such a rejection can affect your future applications for a visa to Belgium or to any other country.

There are certain parameters that are to be met by the candidate in order to be able to apply for the visa. Some of the basic eligibility criteria for the visa are given as follows:

• You must have confirmed admission in Belgium
1. You must have applied to the institution or the university you are looking forward to acquiring the course.
2. Your admission must be confirmed and you must have the necessary documentary proof of the same.
3. Other valid documents, educational and others should be made available.
4. The educational documents must be verifiable.
5. You should have proof of your previous highest education degree.
• You must meet the health requirements
1. You must be healthy enough to travel to Belgium.
2. You must perform a medical test before travelling to the country and provide relevant documentary proof.
• You must meet the character requirements
1. You must be visiting with education as your primary purpose.
2. You must be of good character and have genuine intentions behind studying in Belgium.
3. You need to provide relevant documentary proof for the same as well in the form of a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC).
• You must have sufficient funds
1. You must possess or have access to sufficient funds to be able to cover your stay and other expenses in Belgium.
2. Bank statement or any equivalent document is to be submitted as well as proof of the same.
3. If you have a sponsor, evidence of their financial stability must be made available and should be sufficient to support your education.
4. The guarantor documents should also be legitimate and submitted at the time of application.
5. If the trip is self-sponsored, you must have at least €654 per month to cover the expenses while in Belgium.

There are different kinds of documents that are required and can vary as per the type of visa. The Belgium student visa requirements are listed as follows:

• For C Visa

1. 1. A valid passport.
   2. Covering letter stating the details of the applicant, and the purpose and duration of stay.
   3. Travel itinerary.
   4. Confirmed round trip flight tickets.
   5. Proof of accommodation.
   6. Travel medical insurance covering 30000 Euros.
   7. Proof of occupation as per the employment status.
   8. Financial documents to show sufficient funds.

• For D Visa

1. 1. An original passport valid for at least 12 months ahead of the date of departure.
   2. Completely filled and duly signed visa application form.
   3. Recent photographs as per the photo specifications.
   4. A form specifying the choice of the language in which you would like to be informed about the decision in your visa application.
   5. Copy of the personal information page of the passport.
   6. Original document of registration for the course at an officially recognized institute in Belgium with one of the following specifications:
      1. A confirmed enrolment for the course
      2. Temporary admission to the course
   7. Attested copies of the required educational documents.
   8. Proof of scholarship (if available):
      1. Original Letter of Guarantee model 32 along with a copy.
      2. If covered with an official scholarship of minimum 642 €/month, Letter of Guarantee is not required.
   9. In case that the sponsor is a Belgian citizen or a foreign resident of Belgium.
      1. A Letter of Guarantee model 32 notarized by the city hall in Belgium with a copy.
      2. The Certificate of Residence issued by the city hall in Belgium and/or a copy of the identity card.
      3. Family composition issued by the city hall.
      4. Sponsor’s proof of regular and sufficient income of at least 1,179,65 Euro/month + 642 euro for the student + 150 Euro/month per person already at the charge of the guarantor.
   10. Financial certificate from the respective institution that a certain amount is already paid.
   11. Proof of personal funds accessible.
   12. A medical certificate is required only by the certified doctors who are appointed by Belgium Consulate/Embassy.
   13. A certificate confirming the absence of any convictions for crimes or offences under the common law if the applicant is older than 21 years of age.

• Two copies must be submitted
• Dimensions:  35mm X 45mm
• Colour: Coloured
• Head must occupy the central position
• Must be captured within the last 3 months
• Background: Solid, plain white 
• 85% face coverage
• Neutral expression
• Glasses: Non-thick framed and prescription are permitted
• Headgears are allowed only for religious reasons
• Facial hair is permitted

The validity of the visa will differ as per the type of visa, whether it is a C type or a D type. The differentiation is as follows:

• Type C

The validity for the short term Belgium study visa is about 3 months. It is normally a single entry permit.

• Type D

Type D is a long term visa and the validity of this permit will differ depending on the period of the course. It is generally a multiple entry permit and duration of the stay is not specified.

The student visa for Belgium will require about 10-15 working days for the processing to complete. However, depending on several other factors, it can even take up to 30 to 90 days to process. In order to avoid any risks, it is advisable to apply for the visa at least 3 weeks in advance, however, the application can be submitted 6 months prior to the date of departure.

The application fees to get a type C student visa for Belgium is the same as the other short term Schengen visa which is 80 euros. The handling fees for type D is about 180 euros. Apart from this, depending on the service charges of the visa application centre, you will have to pay the fees at the VAC/embassy/consulate by demand draft. The total fees vary depending on the urgency of the visa, length of stay, number of entries, etc.

When the documents along with the application form are submitted, there are certain things that take place. Some of the pointers are listed as follows:

• The application form along with the documents is forwarded to the visa processing authority, which is either the Embassy or the Consulate.
• If there are any changes that are to be made in the application or if there is a change in the status, the application collecting authority must be informed.
• Biometrics are to be submitted if they are not already in the directory.
• If there is a change of plans, you can even withdraw the application. Note that the visa fee is not refundable.
• You can check the status of your application in the meantime.

After the submission of the visa application, you can then track the status of your application in multiple ways. If you had submitted the application at the embassy or consulate, you will have to email them at the relevant address with your passport number and name. However, if you have submitted it at a VAC, you can check it by entering the last name and tracking ID/passport number at the portal. Alternately, if you have applied through a visa agency, you can visit their website or call them and tell them your passport number or application number to track the visa.

When the processing of the visa is complete, you will receive your permit. There are certain things that you need to note when you have finally received your visa. Some of the important points are as follows:

• Before you travel
1. Note the visa expiry date as well as the number of entries permitted. You must not stay in the country beyond this period.
2. You should travel to Belgium within the validity of your visa.
3. Make sure to carry a copy of your passport and other travel documents while you are in the country.
4. Issue health insurance and travel insurance from a certified company.
• At the Border
1. Get your documents checked and your passport verified.
2. Obtain the entry stamp on your passport.
3. Consult the airport authorities for any kind of assistance required.
4. Check your visa copy for other guidelines and rules to be followed.
• When you enter Belgium
1. Ensure not to get involved in any kind of activities that are not permitted to a non-Belgian resident. You may get into trouble otherwise.
2. You can study, work as well as tour the country on this visa.
3. You can work up to 20 hours a week while studying simultaneously.
4. The tourist prohibited areas must be stayed out of.