Belgium

Information for all students

Students should ensure that their passports are signed and stamped when entering and exiting Border Control. These stamps will prove the duration of your visit and, more importantly, prove to the visa official that you have not overstayed your 90-day visit.

It is important to understand the Schengen 90/180 rule. You are allocated 90 visa-free days to use within the Schengen Zone, however you must remember these are rolling days and are added onto a cumulative total of days in the Schengen region. Leaving and entering does not reset your calculator – only leaving for a period of 90 days in a non-Schengen country will reset your visa-free 90-day allowance.

Depending upon nationality, you may be able to study in Belgium for up to 90 days without a visa. To determine if you can travel to Belgium without a visa, please see the list of non-visa required countries.

Read more about the Schengen rules

Studying for less than 3 months

Students from visa-exempt countries do not require a visa and can enter Belgium for up to 90 days to complete the following activities:

• tourism
• visiting family or friends
• attending business meetings
• cultural or sports events
• short-term studies or training

Students who require a visa should apply for the short-stay Schengen visa.

Gather your documents

To apply for your short-stay Schengen visa, you must gather the following documents:

• Belgium visa application form
• valid passport
• copies of previous visas (if applicable)
• Language Preference Form*
• cover letter
• round-trip llight itinerary
• Schengen travel insurance
• travel health insurance (can be purchased online from AXA Assistance or Europ Assistance)
• proof of accommodation (e.g.: hotel reservation for the duration of the intended stay in Belgium)
• proof of sufficient financial means for the period of stay in Belgium (according to the Belgian Immigration Office, a traveller has to attest possessing €95 per day if staying in a hotel)

*Belgian authorities allow you to choose which of the 3 national languages you would like to complete your application in – French, German or Dutch. If you prefer complete the application in English, please choose 'no preference'.

In Belgium, the original 'Engagement de Prise en Charge – Verbintenis tot Tenlasteneming 3 bis' must be stamped by the municipality and bear the embossed stamp of the foreign office.

Discover the full list of required documents.

How to apply

If you require a visa, you will must submit your application at one of the TLScontact Visa Application Centres.

Schengen Visa applications must be submitted at one of the Visa Application Centres (VAC) and not at the Embassy. There are Visa Application Centres in London, Edinburgh and Manchester.

Studying for more than 3 months

The following activities can be completed under a long-stay National visa (visa D):

• work
• studies
• traineeships
• The Working Holiday programme
• humanitarian activities

EU/EEA national students do not require a visa to live in Belgium. However, you will need to register your presence at the local town hall (maison communale/gemeentehuis) within 10 days of arrival. Please note, you only need to register your presence if you are staying in private accommodation.

EU/EEA students residing in Belgium for more than 3 months, will need to provide proof of sufficient funds and evidence that your are fully covered by healthcare insurance.

UK/Non-EU/Non-EEA Students who wish to study for a duration of over 3 months, are required to apply for a long stay national visa (Visa D).

You must also be registered in full-time education.

Gather your documents

In order to apply for the relevant documentation, you must gather the following:

• 2 completed and signed visa application forms
• 4 ID photos
• original valid passport/travel document, with a minimum validity of 12 months
• copy of the valid passport/travel document
• copy of the passport's bio page
• copy of the passport's UK visa page/equivalent of UK Residence Permit (if applicable)
• proof of payment of the contribution fee to the Ministry (original and copy)
• proof of registration/admission at a recognised educational institution (original and copy)
• proof of sufficient funds to cover the cost of studies, medical costs and daily expenses
• proof of private health insurance, covering all risks in Belgium during your stay* (original and copy)
• original certificate of good conduct⁺
• medical certificate (original and copy)
• proof that you satisfy the conditions for access to higher education – e.g.: diploma, academic record, equivalent (original, plus 2 copies)

*Your private health insurance must cover at least 3 months, with a minimum cover of 30,000 EUR.

⁺If you are 18 years old or over, your original certificate of good conduct must cover at least the last 12 months. It must also be legalised.

Discover the full list of required documents.

How to apply

Visa applications for Belgium should be submitted at one of the TLScontact Visa Application Centres (except for Professional Cards).

Upon arrival

You must report to your municipal administration within 8 days of arrival in Belgium. Following a residence enquiry, you will be entered into the register of foreign nationals – you will then receive your Residence Permit.

Working in Belgium

EU/EEA students can work in Belgium without a visa or work permit. This also applies if you are working as an intern or trainee in Belgium. There is no short-stay permit for work under 90 days.

Non-EU/non-EEA students can work in Belgium up to 90 days with a work permit.

Regardless of the duration of your work placement, UK/non-EEA students must apply for a National type-D visa in order to work in Belgium.

Prior to applying for your work permit, your employer will need to apply for authorisation for you to work. If the application is approved, you will be able to apply for a work permit for 90 days or a Single Permit.

Please note that only the regions are competent to decide upon and issue a work permit, Single Permit, Professional Card or exemption. A work permit might be required even if you are staying in Belgium for less than 90 days within 180 days. All decisions are at the discretion of the Consulate regions.

Gather your documents

In order to apply for your relevant documentation, you must gather the following:

• Application form for an employment permit (maximum stay of 90 days for a worker of foreign nationality)
• Photocopy of the identity card of the employer or their agent
• Photocopy of every page of your current, valid passport
• Photocopy of the document covering your stay (if applicable)
• Medical certificate (in accordance with Article 14 of the Royal Decree of 09/06/1999)
• Copy of the internship/traineeship/employment contract*
• Translation of the contract into your native language (or another language you understand)⁺
• Proof that any grants have been awarded to you (if the internship is remunerated using a grant)
• Copy of diploma or certificate of study

*Your internship contract must:

• Be signed and dated by both parties
• Mention the number of hours training
• Mention the amount of payment (cannot be lower than the applicable legal minimum)
• Include he amount of any grants

⁺The translation of the internship/traineeship/employment contract must be carried out by a sworn translator and signed by both parties.

How to apply

Applications for a Single Permit of limited duration must be submitted online.

You can apply personally at the Belgium Embassy/Consulate in your home country. Alternatively, your employer can apply for you in their local residence authority. 

British Council – Language Assistantships

EU students can enter Belgium using their passport and Letter of Acceptance. You do not require any additional visas/permits to enter the country.

To obtain a visa, non-UK and non-EU students will need an Annexe 46 and a valid passport.

An Annexe 46 is the final approval issued by the Immigration Office regarding the Single Permit. Once you have received your Annexe 46 document, you can apply for a visa D at the Belgian Embassy.

In order to become a Language Assistant in Belgium, you will need to gather documents to submit to the Office des étrangers.

Please note that, in Belgium, your work is not viewed as salaried. Since you receive an allowance, you are not liable for social security contributions. This means you will need to purchase your own Belgian Health Insurance Scheme.