Belgium student visa: Complete guide 2026

What Is the Belgium Student Visa?

The Belgium Student Visa is a Type D long-stay visa, also known as the Authorization for Provisional Sojourn, that allows non-EU/EEA citizens to enter Belgium for the purpose of full-time higher education. Once in Belgium, you register at the local commune and receive a residence permit (A-card), which is valid for one academic year at a time and must be renewed annually for the duration of your studies.

Visa Requirements

• Nationality: Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens.

  
  

• Study program: You must be legally enrolled in a full-time program at a recognized Belgian institution of higher education. Preparatory years attached to a degree program are also covered.

  
  

• Financial means: You must demonstrate sufficient funds to cover living costs for the full academic year. The minimum for the 2026-2027 academic year is €1,062 per month, meaning a total of approximately €12,744 for a full year.

  
  

• Criminal record: Applicants 18 and over must have a clean criminal record, covering the past 5 years.

What the Visa Allows

• Residency: The Type D visa allows you to enter and live in Belgium.

  
  

• Work: You may work up to 20 hours per week during term time. Your right to work is automatically noted on the back of your residence card, and no separate work permit is required. During official university holidays, you may work without limit.

  
  

• After graduation: You may apply for the Search Year residence permit, which gives you 12 months to look for employment or set up a company in Belgium.

  
  

• Schengen travel: The Type D visa allows free travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

Documents You'll Need to Prepare

Requirements can vary by embassy, so always confirm the checklist with the Belgian diplomatic post in your country. All documents in a language other than Dutch, French, German, or English must be translated by a sworn translator.

• Visa application form: Completed online through VisaOnWeb, the official Belgian visa portal. After submission, you receive a PDF by email, which you must print, date, sign, and bring to your appointment.

  
  

• Passport: Valid for at least 3 months beyond your intended stay in Belgium, with at least 2 blank pages.

  
  

• Passport-style photos: Two recent printed photos.

  
  

• Proof of admission: Official admission letter from a recognized Belgian institution of higher education, confirming final or provisional acceptance into a full-time program. A provisional registration certificate is not accepted.

  
  

• Proof of financial means: You must show proof of sufficient funds to cover the living costs of at least €1,062 per month for the 2026-2027 academic year. The recommended option is a blocked account, where you deposit the full year's amount upfront and it is released to you in monthly installments after arrival. This can be arranged through your Belgian institution or a provider like Studely. Alternatively, a sponsor can take financial responsibility by signing an Annex 32 guarantee form in person at a Belgian embassy. A scholarship certificate is also accepted if it explicitly covers living expenses.

  
  

• Medical certificate: Must be completed by a doctor accredited by your local Belgian embassy or consulate, confirming you are free from diseases that could endanger public health. The certificate must not be older than 3 months at the time of application.

  
  

• Proof of health insurance: Private health insurance valid from your arrival date, with a minimum coverage of €30,000 including repatriation.

  
  

• Criminal record certificate: Required for applicants 18 and over, covering the past 5 years. If you have lived in multiple countries, a certificate from each may be required. Must be apostilled and translated if not in an accepted language.

  
  

• Supporting letter: A personal letter explaining your reasons for choosing Belgium and your chosen program, and your plans after graduation.

  
  

• Language proficiency: Proof of proficiency in the language of instruction, if required by your institution.

  
  

• Academic certificates and transcripts: Your previous diploma and transcripts. For undergraduate applicants, your high school diploma and transcripts.

  
  

• APS certificate (China only): Required for Chinese students who have completed at least one semester at a Chinese university. Students applying solely on the basis of a high school diploma do not need the APS certificate. The certificate is issued by the Academic Assessment Center (APS), a joint institution of the German Embassy and DAAD, based in Beijing. The process involves document verification followed by an in-person interview at the APS office in Beijing.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Secure university admission

Apply to and receive an official admission letter from a recognized Belgian institution. The visa process cannot begin without this.

Step 2: Gather your documents and pay the contribution fee

Prepare all required documents. Have any non-Dutch, non-French, non-German, non-English documents translated by a sworn translator and legalized. Arrange your proof of financial means early, as setting up a blocked account takes time. Pay the contribution fee by bank transfer directly to the Belgian Immigration Office and keep the proof of payment to include with your application. The visa fee is paid separately at your appointment.

Step 3: Book an appointment at the Belgian embassy or consulate

Contact the Belgian embassy or consulate in your country of residence to schedule a visa appointment. Apply at least 2 to 3 months before your intended departure date, as processing times and appointment availability can vary significantly.

Step 4: Attend your appointment

Attend in person with all required documents. Your fingerprints and a digital photograph will be taken. Pay the visa fee. Your application will be forwarded to the Immigration Office for a final decision.

Step 5: Wait for a decision

Once your application reaches the Immigration Office, it typically takes around 15 days for straightforward cases. However, if your application requires additional review, the process can take up to 45 days or longer. During peak periods such as summer, the full timeline from appointment to decision can realistically stretch to 1 to 3 months.

Step 6: Travel to Belgium

Once your visa is approved, travel to Belgium within the validity period of the visa.

Step 7: Register at the commune

Within 8 working days of arrival, register at the town hall (maison communale/gemeentehuis) of the municipality where you live. Bring your passport, visa, admission letter, and proof of accommodation. A police officer will subsequently verify your address, after which the commune will process your A-card. The card typically takes around one to two months to be issued.

Costs and Fees

There are two fees most students must pay. The first is a visa fee of €180, paid to the Belgian embassy or consulate at the time of your appointment. The second is a contribution fee paid directly to the Belgian Immigration Office by bank transfer before your appointment: €242 if you are enrolling at a public institution, or €251 at a private one. Neither fee is refundable. Students holding a scholarship from a Belgian or EU authority are exempt from the visa fee only.

The medical certificate costs vary by country and doctor, but typically range from €50 to €150. Beyond these, budget for private health insurance, sworn translations and apostilles for any documents not in an accepted language, and blocked account setup fees (~€350). There is no separate fee for the A-card itself.

Good to Know

Visa-free entry: Citizens of the United States, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Monaco, and Andorra do not need the Type D visa sticker to enter Belgium, but must still obtain a residence permit after arrival and meet the same document requirements.

Renewing your residence permit: You must apply for renewal at the commune at least 15 days before your A-card expires. You will need to show proof of continued enrollment and financial means for the new academic year.

APS certificate (China only): If you have completed at least one semester at a Chinese university, you must obtain an APS certificate before applying for a Belgian student visa. The process involves document verification and an in-person interview at the APS office in Beijing. Apply as early as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the visa take to process?

Straightforward cases are typically decided within 15 days by the Immigration Office, but applications requiring additional review can take 45 days or longer. During peak periods such as summer, the full timeline from appointment to decision can stretch to 1 to 3 months.

Can I work while studying?

Yes, up to 20 hours per week during term time. Your right to work is noted on your residence card, and no separate work permit is required. During official university holidays, you may work without limit.

What if my visa application is rejected?

You may lodge an appeal before the Council for Alien Law Litigation (CALL) within 30 days of receiving the decision. If the grounds for refusal are correctable, you may also reapply with an improved application.

Can I travel within the Schengen Area while studying?

Yes. Your Type D visa and A-card allow travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.