Belgium is a nation in Western Europe and is also referred to as the Kingdom of Belgium. To visit this nation, you must apply for a visa for Belgium beforehand, as no visa on arrival is applicable to Indian citizens.

Additionally, because Belgium is a part of the Schengen region of the European Union, its visa requirements are the same as those of the other Schengen countries. As a result, you can enter Belgium using the same Schengen visa you need to visit the other 25 Schengen nations. Also, as of 2022, you will require travel insurance to enter Belgium, so it will be a great idea to buy one during your visa application.

Do Indians Need a Visa to Travel to Belgium?

Yes. Indians do need a visa to travel to Belgium.

Is There a Visa on Arrival in Belgium for Indian Citizens?

No. Visa on arrival is not applicable for Indians in Belgium.

Depending on the requirement such as study, work, or tourism, Indian nationals need to apply for the respective Belgian national visa. Nevertheless, the types of visas in Belgium are –

•  Belgium Long-Stay Visas (D-Visa): Individuals looking to stay more than 90 days must apply for this visa. The few sub-categories under this section include-
• Student Visa for Belgium: If you intend to study in Belgium, you can apply for this visa, which is typically valid for six months, but officials may extend it to the end of your course of study.
• Work Visa for Belgium: If you want to work in Belgium, you can apply for a work visa. Typically, this sort of visa requires sponsorship from an employer in Belgium, though there are exceptions to this rule.
• Belgium Dependent Visa: Belgium dependent visa, which is also known as a family reunion visa, is given out if you have family residing in Belgium—typically a partner—and wish to join them. Also, the dependent visa is typically granted for the same period as your partner's visa.
• Belgium Short-Stay Visas: There are two sub-categories under this section which are classified according to purpose. Those types include –
• Belgian Schengen Visa for Visitors and Tourists: The Schengen visa is identical to the tourist visa for Belgium. Also, you can stay for a maximum of 90-day in the nation as a visitor.
• Transit Visa for Belgium: Travellers who just need to enter the Schengen region to change their mode of transportation are granted a transit visa.
• Belgium Residence Permit: To remain in Belgium legally, you must apply for a residence permit after arriving there on a long-term (D) visa. Hence, the D visa is thereafter replaced by the residency permit.

Moreover, to study, work, or stay longer than three months in Belgium, you must both have a visa and permission. Also, prior to your trip, the Belgian Embassy offers a D visa; however, while you are in the country, the Belgian Immigration Authorities can issue residence permits afterwards.

You must show the following identification to the border officers when you arrive at the airport in Belgium:

• A current Schengen visa unless you're a citizen of a nation without visa requirements.
• Passport or another legally valid form of identification. Here, it is essential to note that your passport should have a minimum of three months extra validity than the length of time you want to spend in Belgium.

Apart from those, the border guards may also inquire about the nature of your trip and how long you want to stay in Belgium.

To visit Belgium, you need to produce a few documents as requirements for a Belgium visa to ensure your validity and legal aspects. Nevertheless, a few of the documentation that you must have are –

• A duly filled visa application form
• Passport
• Photographs (as specified on the official website)
• Copies of previous passports (if applicable)
• Proof of sufficient funding
• A duly filled language form. There, you can specify your preference for English, German, Dutch, or French to process your application.
• Schengen Travel Insurance with a USD 29,790.72 minimum level of protection
• A cover letter outlining the itinerary and your reason for travelling
• Your flight schedule with dates of entry and departure from Belgium
• Evidence of your lodgings, such as hotel reservations or any other document demonstrating where you will be staying in Belgium
• Birth certificate, death certificate, marriage certificate, and divorce decree (whatever is applicable)
• If you're working, you'll need your offer letter, six months' worth of bank statements, and your income tax returns
• You would require your business licence, six months' worth of company bank statements, and tax records if you are self-employed

The handling charge is conveyed by the Belgian Embassy in New Delhi, and applicants have to pay Indian Rupees at the current exchange rate. Also, the same is liable to modification without prior notice, so before application, you must go through the official website. Additionally, it is essential to note that there is no reimbursement for the visa fee.

• The handling charge for a short-term stay visa (C) is USD 79.44, with the exception of kids aged 6 to 12 who pay USD 39.72 and kids under six who pay nothing. 

• The handling charge for a long-term stay visa (D) is USD 178.74.

Note that the Belgium visa fees for processing some visa D applications necessitate an additional contribution.

Disclaimer: The visa fees are subject to change, based on new immigration rules, the country in which you apply, the local currency and currency exchange rates.

The steps for application for Indian citizens are – 

Step 1: The applicant or head of the family must register at the official website.  

Step 2: The online visa application form on this website should be completed and sent.

Step 3: Then you will subsequently be sent a copy of the visa application form to your account-specific email address.

Step 4: Print the application, and then visit the visa application centre you specified on your application. Also, bring the necessary supporting documentation, as well as the visa and service charge.

Step 5: The authorities will take your photograph in real-time at the visa application centre (for all applicants – short and long stays). Also, the authorities will take your fingerprint for short and long-stay visas only if necessary. 

Step 6: After that, the Belgian Embassy/Consulate General will handle the processing of your visa application as usual.

Step 7: You can also track your application from the official website.

Typically, processing a visa request takes up to 15 working days. But there are a number of variables that can affect this. For example, when there are numerous applications at the embassy, it occasionally takes up to 30 days. In certain rare circumstances, Belgian Schengen visas' processing time can reach 60 days.

As mentioned earlier, according to recent updates, to travel to Belgium, it is mandatory to have travel insurance. So there is a legal demand for an insurance policy to enter the country. But, apart from that, international travel insurance can help you protect against unnecessary monetary flow during an unfortunate occasion on your trip.

For instance, leading online travel insurance providers provide benefits such as medical emergencies, personal accidents, loss of passport and baggage, accidental death and disability, etc.

It is undeniably true that Belgium is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. There are also employment opportunities, and the education standards are also renowned. So, if you are planning to visit this country or apply for a visa for Belgium, keep the documents, and check all the prerequisites to decrease the chances of visa rejection.