Visas for Belgium: Tourist, Work & Type D Visa

Understanding visa requirements for Belgium

As Belgium is part of the Schengen visa area, travellers who don’t have a European Union (EU) passport or aren’t from the list of visa-exempt countries will be required to obtain a Schengen visa for Belgium before arrival. Expats wanting to stay in Belgium for longer than 90 days may require a residence permit, depending on their nationality.

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Schengen visas for Belgium

Those travelling to Belgium and in need of a Schengen visa can apply at the Belgian consulate or embassy in their home country before they travel.

Applicants will usually need to provide documents such as proof of employment and residence in their home country as indicators that they will return home after their trip.

Expats travelling to Belgium for business purposes will likely have to include a letter of invitation from the Belgian business party that will be hosting them, as well as a letter from their local employer stating their duties in Belgium. Those attending a conference may need to submit proof of registration and accommodation.

Residence visas for Belgium

Anyone intending to stay in Belgium for the long term is required to report their presence in the country to their local commune (local authority) within 90 days of arrival for EU nationals and eight days for non-EU nationals. These new arrivals will usually need to produce their passport or identity card and will then be issued with a Declaration of Presence.

Citizens of non-EU countries who wish to stay in Belgium for more than 90 days will need to arrange a long-stay residence visa (D visa) before arriving. This allows non-EU nationals to study, work and live in Belgium. After five years of continuous stay, they will be able to apply for permanent residency.

Work permits for EU citizens

Citizens of the EU don’t usually require a work permit for Belgium. European citizens working in Belgium must have a full EU passport or identity card.

EU nationals can enter Belgium for up to three months to look for work or set up a business. Those staying for a period of more than three months are required to register at the local town hall in their city of residence in Belgium.

Work permits for non-EU citizens

Expats from outside the EU will need a work permit to be legally employed in Belgium. It is usually the responsibility of the Belgian employer to apply for authorisation to hire a foreign worker and obtain a work permit on their behalf.

Most cases are handled under the Single Permit system, which combines residence and work authorisation into one application for stays longer than 90 days, although certain professions require the older A, B, or C work permit types.

Type D visa

Once their employment has been authorised by the relevant authorities, the expat employee can apply for a long-stay Type D visa which enables them to enter the country and stay temporarily.

While some other types of Schengen visas can be used to enter other Schengen countries as well as the country of application, the D visa is generally limited to Belgium. Expats will need to apply for this visa at a Belgian embassy or consulate in their home country.

Know before you go to Belgium

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