Applying for and obtaining a visa to Belgium

3 answers to questions

Belgium joins Schengen

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Belgium is one of the Schengen countries; Russians will need a visa to travel there. The procedure, registration procedure and list of documents are similar to the requirements of other Schengen members, but Belgium, as a rule, issues only six-month entry permits, and for the first time - for three months.

Tourists rarely apply for documents through Belgium Visa Application Centers, so there are almost never queues there. And since all preparation for submitting papers takes place online, you can significantly save time.

Travelers who make a transfer in Belgium and do not leave the airport transit area do not need a visa. However, when changing carriers, you may need to be in the registration area, in which case permission is required. This can be clarified with the airline before purchasing a ticket.

Applying for a visa yourself

In order to obtain a visa, the applicant must prepare all the necessary papers, fill out an electronic application at the office. website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, create an account at the office. website of the visa center and make an appointment. After which, at the appointed time, appear in person, and then pick up the completed passport.

Those who have been fingerprinted within the last 59 months, as well as children under 12 years of age and people who are unable to undergo fingerprinting for physiological reasons, can submit documents by mail.

If necessary, visa center employees will help you fill out the paperwork correctly, make photocopies, translations, and take photographs for a fee. Tourists can apply for a visa directly at the Consular Section of the Belgian Embassy in Moscow (this is not possible in other cities), make an appointment by calling +7 (495) 995-85-13.

European countries outside the Schengen area

• Albania
• Belarus
• Bulgaria (you can enter with a Schenge visa)
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Cyprus (you can enter with a Schenge visa)
• Macedonia
• Moldova
• Romania (you can enter with a Schenge visa)
• Serbia
• Türkiye
• Ukraine
• Croatia (you can enter with a Schenge visa)
• Montenegro

To travel to Romania, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Croatia, you can use their national visas - they are issued by the relevant consulates.

You can enter these countries with a Schengen visa, but with their national visas you cannot travel to the Schengen countries without additional visas.

Hotel booking for a Schengen visa They are not members of the European Union, although Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland and Switzerland are part of the Schengen zone.

Five members of the European Union have already signed the Schengen Agreement, but remain outside the Schengen zone, since passport control has not been completely abolished (Great Britain, Ireland) or its abolition is only planned in the future (Bulgaria, Cyprus, Romania).

Denmark has a special status enshrined in the Schengen Protocol to the Amsterdam Treaty of 1997, which allows Denmark not to participate in Schengen cooperation to a greater extent than existed at the date of signing the Amsterdam Treaty.

Documents for a visa to Belgium

Required documents to obtain a Belgium visa category C:

1. Application form
   Fill out in capital letters online at the office. website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in English, German, French or Dutch are also allowed, the form with a bar code must be printed, dated and signed;
2. International passport
   Issued no more than 10 years ago, with two blank pages, valid for at least 3 months from the date of departure from the Schengen zone, all old passports with visas must be taken with you;
3. Photograph
   One color photograph (see photo requirements below);
4. A copy of a
   round-trip air ticket or confirmation of air ticket reservation, in addition, you can provide a detailed description of the trip in English if the trip is planned by car;
5. Hotel reservation Reservation
   of a hotel or apartment is required for the entire duration of the vacation;
6. Certificate from the place of work
   Certificate from work with the registered position, salary and terms of the vacation provided, for pensioners - a copy of the pension certificate, for individual entrepreneurs - an extract from the Unified State Register of Individual Entrepreneurs, a certificate of registration;
7. For students, schoolchildren
   Certificate from the place of study, sponsorship letter with a photocopy of the sponsor's Russian passport and an extract from his account;
8. Bank account statement
   Must be no older than 6 months; funds are required at the rate of 95 EUR for each day of stay;
9. Photocopy of the general passport
   Copy of the first page and the registration page, have the original with you;
10. Insurance policy
    Medical insurance with a minimum coverage of 30,000 EUR, which can be purchased online; the type should be selected based on the expected risks;

In addition, you will need to fill out a consent to the processing of personal data, and for those who send papers by courier service, you will also need to fill out a corresponding application.

Registration procedure

You must submit a package of documents depending on the type of trip. Tourists are required to provide a minimum number of papers. But for those who are going to apply for a national visa, much more documents will be required.

If none of the documents raises any objections from the diplomatic staff, then the person wishing to leave for Belgium will be issued a Schengen visa.

Documents for obtaining a tourist Schengen visa

A visa to Belgium is issued after submitting the following documents to the visa center:

1. Original passport + copies of the spread and pages with stamps and visas.
2. National passport – original and copy.
3. Color photos (2 pieces), size 3.5 by 4.5, made on a white background ().

   

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   Sample income certificate for obtaining a visa to Belgium

4. Certificate from the place of employment (issued on a special form and certified by the signature of the boss).
5. Book air tickets in both directions.
6. Book a hotel or apartment.
7. Medical insurance (the amount of insurance should not be less than 30.0 thousand euros).
8. Confirmation of financial solvency: a certificate from the bank with the required amount in the account. Calculated based on the number of days – 50 euros/day.

   

9. A completed application form (). A sample form can be downloaded here.
10. Consent to the processing of personal data.

The photo for a visa to Belgium must be “fresh”, clear and without corners.

Sample documents for traveling with children:

Sponsorship letter

Sponsorship letter in English

Permission for a child to travel without parents

Trip by invitation

Obtaining a visa at the invitation of friends or relatives living in Belgium for Russians is carried out by submitting the following documents to the visa center:

1. Invitation (original, but you can also provide a notarized color or black and white copy), drawn up in free form ().
2. A photocopy of the residence permit or Belgian passport of the inviting party.

   

   This is what a Belgian ID card looks like

3. A photocopy of a document confirming family ties.

Photo requirements

You need one clear color photograph measuring 35x45mm. The photo is taken on a white plain background, without frames. Only fresh (not earlier than 6 months), bright photos without glare, shadows and other interference are accepted.

The face is placed in the center, the color of hair, skin and eyes corresponds to reality, all features are clearly visible, it is advisable to open the ears. Complex hairstyles and large accessories that cover part of the face are not allowed. Head coverings worn by the applicant for religious reasons are permitted.

Those who wear glasses can keep them on. If a person is photographed without glasses, customs officers will ask you to take them off when crossing the border.

There cannot be anything or anyone superfluous in the frame - only the applicant himself, regardless of his age.

The length of the head from the chin to the crown is approximately 30 mm (70-80% of the area). The photo is taken from the front, the gaze is directed at the camera, there is no smile.

Photo requirements

Reviews from people trying to obtain a Schengen visa indicate that the photograph is subject to fairly strict requirements.

Features of the image

The card must:

• be completed a maximum of six months ago;
• have the correct size (3.5 by 4.5 centimeters);
• be taken in color (black and white photographs are not acceptable);
• show the top of the applicant’s head and upper shoulders (the person’s face takes up about eighty percent of the photo);
• be clear (the focus must be of the highest quality);
• not have any defects (cracks, bends and stains are not acceptable).

The gaze on the Schengen visa card is directed strictly at the camera lens. All shades must correctly represent the applicant's skin tone. Also, a photograph printed on high-quality paper should be bright and contrasty.

Features of the photo card

It is important to ensure that the photograph meets the following criteria:

• non-aggressive color scheme;
• open organs of vision (regardless of the type of hairstyle, bangs do not fall into the eyes);
• a person should sit only in frontal view;
• tilting and turning the head is excluded;
• lighting is as correct as possible (shadows, flash and red-eye are excluded).

Hats, caps and glasses

Caps and hats are not allowed in photographs taken for a Schengen visa. The only exceptions are those hats that are worn for religious reasons. In this case, it is important to ensure that the face up to the lower chin area is not hidden. If the applicant is prescribed glasses, it is important to remember that:

• the organs of vision should be clearly visible in the picture;
• tinted lenses cannot be used;
• flashes in lenses cannot be allowed;
• the organs of vision should be visible behind the frame.

Visa Photo Requirements Table

It is advisable to take pictures wearing glasses with thin frames. If the applicant suffers from complex ophthalmological pathologies (astigmatism) and wearing thin frames is not intended, then it is advisable to take a photograph without glasses.

Facial expression

Feedback from applicants awaiting a decision on their visa issue indicates that the facial expression in the photo must also be correct. So, it is important to remember that:

• the photograph shows only the applicant;
• You should avoid unnecessary objects in the frame (toys, books, chairs and corners of furniture);
• the presence of other persons in the photograph is not permitted;
• the applicant looks strictly into the lens;
• open mouth is not allowed;
• the facial expression is calm.

Consular fee – 35 €

For a visa to Belgium, a visa fee of 35 EUR is charged to all tourists, except children under 6 years of age. It must be paid in rubles, according to the rate established on the day of submission of documents. A long-term visa category D costs 180 EUR. Prices on the page are for March 2020.

In addition, applicants pay a service fee - 1850 RUB in both capitals, 2070 RUB - in Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk and Rostov-on-Don. In case of visa refusal, money is not returned.

For a visa you need to pay a consular fee of 35 EUR and a service fee of 1850 RUB.

PRICE

Current prices for a visa to Belgium as of 2021:

It is easy to calculate that in the end a Belgian short-term visa will cost 4,260.00 rubles.

There are benefits for many categories of citizens. Among the lucky ones are children under 6 years old, schoolchildren and students coming to Belgium to study, members of delegations and people with disabilities.

Embassy and consulates of Belgium in Russia

Embassy of Belgium in Moscow

Belgium Visa Application Center in Moscow

Embassy of Belgium in St. Petersburg

Belgium Visa Application Center in St. Petersburg

Visa center in Yekaterinburg

Visa center in Novosibirsk

Visa center in Rostov-on-Don

How much does a visa to Belgium cost in 2021?

The cost of a Belgian short-term visa type C is standard and equal to 35 euros. Persons with foreign citizenship will have to pay a fee of 60 euros at the consulate. But obtaining a long-term visa will cost 180 euros. Payment is made exclusively in rubles and according to the exchange rate valid at the time of application.

When applying for help at the Visa Center, you will have to pay an additional amount of 1,775 rubles. Applicants have a wide range of additional services to choose from. Among them: courier delivery of documents, SMS notifications and much more. Payment is made in rubles and euros, the possibility of cash payment or payment by bank card is provided.

There are a number of categories of users who have benefits and are exempt from paying the cost of a visa. These are members of delegations, children under 6 years of age and students (their visit to the country must be for educational purposes). Payment of fees does not guarantee receipt of a visa, and all funds spent on registration will not be returned if the application is rejected.

Documents for a visa to Belgium: list from 2021

The applicant will need the following documents to obtain a visa:

• International passport - its validity must be more than 90 days after the end of the trip. One sheet of the passport on both sides must be clear of any entries or marks. If a child is included in the parent’s passport, then two blank sheets are required instead of one;
• Completed application form - it should be completed as carefully as possible and avoid various corrections, adjustments and erasures;
• 2 color photographs made in accordance with standards. You can prepare pictures in advance or take pictures directly at the CC with an additional payment for this service;
• A copy of the pages of the national passport with personal information and place of permanent registration;
• A plan for the upcoming trip with a mandatory indication of all points of stay (all notes must be made in one of the languages ​​valid in Belgium);
• Documents confirming the presence of a hotel reservation for the entire duration of the trip;
• Certificate from work on a special form. The document must necessarily contain information about the person’s position and salary, and also contain a note about the applicant retaining his job for the period of departure. A round seal is required;
• Documents that guarantee the financial independence of the traveler;
• Medical insurance - it must be valid throughout the Schengen territory, and coverage for it must be at least 30,000 euros (the equivalent of $50,000 is possible);
• Confirmation from the airline or copies of purchased return tickets;
• Copies of pre-issued visas that the applicant has received during the last 3-year period;
• A certificate prepared by the educational institution for students. If the trip is not made during the holidays, then an addition is required in the form of permission not to attend lessons.

A visa is primarily issued for the period requested by the applicant when submitting documents. If you have previously obtained visas to visit Schengen (two or more), it is possible to obtain a multiple visa. Its validity period is six months, and during this time you can stay in Belgium for no more than 90 days.

Bruges, Belgium

Visa photo

EU visa legislation imposes the following photo requirements:

• The size of the pictures is exclusively 3.5x4.5 cm;
• The background must be monochromatic and in white (light) colors;
• The face occupies about 70-80% of the total dimensions of the photo and is in the center;
• The picture is as realistic as possible, high quality and with high clarity;
• The photo must be taken no later than six months before the date of submission;
• When printing, photo paper with a matte base is used;
• Corners, ovals and other frames are not used in the photo;
• Any editing or retouching of the photograph using specialized programs is strictly prohibited;
• The photo should show as much face as possible. No hats, caps, tinted glasses, scarves or other accessories. The only exceptions are reasons of a religious nature;
• The face should not express any emotions.

Visa documents for children

Parents are responsible for filling out the child visa application form. For such a visa you will additionally need:

• Birth certificate;
• Document from the educational institution;
• Consent to travel when traveling with one of the parents who is divorced. If the spouses are married, then such notification is not required. The document, if available, must be notarized;
• If one of the parents is absent, a document confirming this fact must be provided.

Additional documents

The set of additional documents for visa preparation is determined based on the purposes of the planned trip. For a business visit, an invitation letter from foreign partners is required. It should contain not only their personal data and contacts, but also a clear purpose of the trip, as well as its timing. When paying expenses, the receiving party must prepare documents confirming this.

For a personal visit, an invitation from the host party is required. The reasons for the invitation and proof of relationship must be indicated. When relatives pay expenses, it is necessary to provide relevant documents.

When transiting through Belgian territory, you will need a hotel reservation and copies of tickets along the entire route.

When obtaining a study visa, confirmation of enrollment, indication of grants and scholarships (if any), documents on financial solvency, and a health certificate issued by an accredited medical center (filled out in French or German) are required. A certificate of no criminal record is also required. It must cover the last 5 year period.

In the case of obtaining a work visa, the applicant will need to additionally prepare an existing work permit, which is issued by the authorities of the receiving state. It must be class B. A professional card may also be required.

Belgium

How to get a visa to Belgium on your own

You can obtain a visa yourself using any of the following methods:

1. Contact one of the Belgian CCs. In this case, no prior registration is required;
2. Go to the Belgian Embassy. In this case, the date and time of the visit must be booked in advance.

It is highly recommended that you apply for your visa in advance. It is better to do this at least 20 days before the trip. We should not forget about the longer processing of documents for the first Schengen.

Also, when receiving your first visa, it is mandatory to carry out a fingerprinting procedure. It includes: obtaining a digital photograph of the applicant and scanning all of his fingerprints. Information on fingerprinting is stored in the VIS database for the next 5 years. During this period, resubmission of fingerprints may be required only in exceptional situations. Often they are due to a personal request from the Embassy. After the 5-year period, biometrics are taken again.

Some categories of applicants are exempt from scanning. These include children under 12 years of age, individuals with physical disabilities that preclude fingerprinting, and applicants who have been scanned within the last 59 months.

Algorithm of actions during registration

Registration of a visa requires the applicant to carry out the following actions:

• Filling out a visa application;
• Collection of required documents;
• Pre-registration for an appointment;
• Payment of visa fees. When visiting the Embassy, ​​only non-cash payments are possible. Cash payment is not available;
• Visiting the department in accordance with the specified time and submitting documents for issuing a visa;
• Submission of biometric data;
• Tracking the status of a submitted application (available when contacting one of the CCs);
• Receiving a passport with a stamp affixed to it.

At the first application, the submission of documents is carried out exclusively by the applicant. All subsequent submissions can be made not only personally, but also with the help of a third party. This may be a relative who will provide documents confirming the relationship. Or you can use the services of a trusted representative. He must have a power of attorney with notarization.

Belgium

Visa to Belgium through visa center managers

This is the simplest and most convenient solution. You only need 2 papers:

1. Certificate from work.
2. Bank statement (with your account balance of EUR 1,600 or more).
   2 photos.

The cost of a visa to Belgium in this case is from 3,400 rubles + consular fee.

• You can come to the center without prior registration.
• An insurance certificate can be obtained from us in person or by email - from 0.7 euros per day of stay.