The administrative formalities to be completed in order to enter, stay and work in Belgium depend on your nationality, the country where you stay and the duration of your stay.
The website of the Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs contains all the necessary information on the procedures, the documents required, the embassies or consulates, the fees… Consult the page and contact the relevant embassy or consulate for an appointment.
Note that information concerning visa applications for Belgium is also available on the website of the Immigration Office of the FPS Home Affairs, which is the competent Belgian authority for access to the territory, stay, residence and removal of foreigners in Belgium.
General information at the EU level can also be found on this page.
As a citizen of an EEA country, you do not need a visa in order to enter Belgium. However, if the duration of your stay exceeds 3 months, you will need to apply for a residence permit at the town hall of your municipality of residence.
Please note that the Single Permit Directive2011/98/EU has been implemented in Belgium since January 2019. Residence and work permits must be asked through a single step. See the section on Work Permit for more information.
If you are a citizen of a country outside the EEA and plan to move to Belgium, you will need to apply for a visa at the Belgian Embassy or Consulate in your home country or current country of residence. The addresses of Belgian Embassies and consulates can be found here.
There are several different types of visa :
- Scientific visa:Non-European researchers coming to Belgium within the framework of a hosting agreement issued by an approved research organisation benefit from a simplified and accelerated visa and residence permit procedure and do not need a work permit. Please contact your future host organization for further information. On arrival in Belgium, you need to go to the foreigners' desk at the town hall of your municipality of residence in order to apply for a residence permit.
- Visa C: The short-term "Schengen" visa allows you to stay in Belgium for 90 days maximum. It also entitles you to travel freely through all the Schengen Member States.
- Visa D: This allows you to reside and work in Belgium for a period exceeding 90 days. On arrival in Belgium, you need to go to the foreigners’ desk at the town hall of your municipality of residence and apply for a residence permit.
Please note that the Single Permit Directive2011/98/EU has been implemented in Belgium since January 2019. Residence and work permits must be asked through a single step. See the section on Work Permit for more information.