Belgium Schengen Visa

A Western-European nation, Belgium is famous for its canals, medieval architecture, rich culture and heritage, cobbled streets, and much more. Some of the most sought-after tourist spots in the country are Antwerp, the Archaeological Museum of Arlon, the Flemish beguinages, the city of Bruges crisscrossed by canals, and more.

To visit the Schengen country, whether for exploring all the mentioned sites or for work, education, and so on, it is important to first know whether you require a Belgium Schengen visa from the UAE. This article will discuss the requirement of a Belgium Schengen visa for different categories of individuals, the documents required to apply for the visa, the application process, the visa processing time, validity, and more.

Do You Need Belgium Schengen Visa?

UAE nationals with valid UAE passports don’t require a Schengen visa to travel to Belgium for up to 90 days. However, if the duration of stay is more than that, they would need to obtain a Belgium Schengen visa.

Individuals under the following categories would need to apply for a Schengen visa in the UAE to travel to Belgium –

• UAE nationals who have been denied entry in the Schengen region without a visa
• Foreigners or expats in UAE on permanent or temporary residential permit, who –
  • Possess a passport of a nation that has a visa-free entry arrangement with Schengen countries but have been denied a visa-free entry into the Schengen area
  • Hold the passport of a country that doesn’t have any visa-free entry agreement with the Schengen countries

Requirements to Apply for Belgium Schengen Visa

The following documents would be required when you apply for the Belgium Schengen visa in the UAE –

• A filled in Belgium Schengen visa application form – take out two printouts and sign both the copies near their ends
• A valid passport that has been issued within the last 10 years and is valid for more than 3 months after the date of departure from Belgium
• Proof or residence or residence permit in the UAE – you can provide a copy of your resident visa that is valid for at least 3 months from the date you leave Belgium
• Two passport-sized photographs – coloured photographs, not older than 3 months and captured against a bright-coloured background are to be submitted
• Proof that you have sufficient funds to fulfil your financial requirements during the stay – as per the Belgian Immigration Office, a traveller has to present documents proving that they have sufficient money to spend at least EUR 95 per day if staying in a hotel or EUR 45 per day if staying in a more affordable space.

Any (or both) of the following documents can serve as proof here -

• Bank account statement – as latest as 3 months
• Sponsorship letter provided by the third party who is funding your stay – it should be attached with the sponsor’s bank statement for the last 3 months.
• Proof that you have a place to stay in Belgium – this could be a letter or a document that shows your hotel bookings, a rent agreement, or an invitation letter from a host
• Cover letter – this is a statement of purpose that also includes the dates for which you would be in Belgium and the places you would be staying at
• Flight itinerary – this document must confirm that you have booked flight tickets from the UAE to Belgium (and back) as well as the dates on which you enter and leave Belgium
• travel insurance documents – a Schengen travel insurance plan should offer a medical cover of at least EUR 30,000

On the Basis of Employment

Besides the mandatory documents listed above, you would be required to provide some additional documents based on your employment status –

For Salaried Employees

• Employment contract
• Leave permit from your employer
• Current bank statement as recent as 6 months

For Self-Employed Individuals

• Trade licence copy
• Company’s bank statement for last 6 months

For Students

• University enrolment proof
• NOC (No Objection Certificate) from the concerned school or university
• Advertisements

For Retired Individuals

• Pension statement for last 6 months

Additional Documents for Minor Travellers

If you are travelling with a minor or assisting a minor in travelling alone, the following documents would be necessarily required –

• Birth certificate of the minor
• Belgium Schengen visa application filled and signed by parents
• Order from the family court (applicable if only one parent has complete custody of the child)
• Certified copies of ID or passport from parents
• An authorised parental notary to travel to Belgium – this should be signed by both parents or the guardian in case the minor is travelling alone

Additional Requirements Based on the Purpose of Visit

Based on the intent of your visit, you may need to submit a few extra documents for Belgium Schengen visa –

For Business Belgium Schengen Visa

• Letter of invitation from a recognised Belgian organisation that includes its details and address
• Memorandum and Article of Association (original copy)
• Trade licence
• Proof of trip financing – it must show that the employer or the partner company is covering the expenses
• Business bank statements as recent as 6 months

For Medical Treatment Belgium Schengen Visa

• A local medical report from a recognised doctor, hospital, or clinic
• A medically attested certificate from the concerned hospital in Belgium
• Payment receipt of the medical expenses
• Confirmation of appointment or treatment

How to Apply for Belgium Schengen Visa?

The Belgian Embassy in the UAE has contracted VFS Global to handle the filing of Belgium Schengen visa applications. You can turn in your forms at any of the official Visa Application Centres (VACs) in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

The addresses for the same are as follows:

• Dubai - Joint Visa Application Centre, Wafi Mall, Level 2, Falcon, Phase 2, Umm Hurair 2
• Abu Dhabi - Level 25, Shining Tower, Mubarak Bin Mohammed Street, 26th Street, Adjacent to Khalidyah Mall, 30023

The Visa Application Centres remain open Sunday to Thursday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. On work days, you can file your applications from 09:00 am to 3:00 pm.

For more details, you can get in touch with the authorised staff at –

• Phone Number - +971 4 2055716
• Email - info.belgiumuae@vfshelpline.com 

Applications for Belgium Schengen visas are accepted at the Abu Dhabi visa application centre from residents of Abu Dhabi and the Al Ain Emirates. The Emirates of Dubai, Fujairah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al-Quwain, or Sharjah, on the other hand, are welcome to apply for a Schengen visa through Dubai VAC.

The steps listed below should be followed to apply for a Schengen visa for Belgium -

• Verify the visa application centre where you must submit the Belgium Schengen visa to see if it is valid for the Emirate in which you reside
• Obtain a Schengen visa application form for Belgium. Print this form and complete all of the necessary fields.
• Make an appointment for a visa interview at the VAC
• Show up for the interview on time. Make sure you have all the required paperwork with you in the suggested sequence.
• Once done with all these steps, wait for the reply. The Schengen visa for Belgium is typically processed in 15 days.

Is Travel Insurance Necessary for Belgium Schengen Visa?

As mentioned earlier, Schengen travel insurance is mandatory for individuals requiring a Schengen visa to visit the region. Moreover, it should fulfil Schengen-specific requirements like minimum medical coverage of EUR 30,000, validity across all Schengen countries, and more.

With travel insurance for Belgium Schengen visa, you can be financially covered in case any medical emergency or travel inconvenience arises. These plans provide coverage for lost luggage, delayed flights, delayed baggage arrival, as well as expenses arising from the treatment of illnesses, injuries, and more.

Benefits of Having Travel Insurance for Belgium Schengen Visa

The following coverages can be availed of with a Belgium Schengen visa travel insurance –

• COVID-19 Coverage – Almost all travel insurance policies in the UAE now include COVID-19 coverage following the disease's breakout. With this type of insurance, the insured individual is protected from the expenditures associated with the RT-PCR test, the required 14-day quarantine (in the event that they test positive), and the associated medical care and medications.
• Medical Coverage – If an accident, injury, or illness occurs while travelling, the travel insurance plan for Belgium Schengen visa offers emergency medical coverage. The insured here is covered for medical evacuation, a daily monetary stipend, and repatriation (in extreme circumstances). One of the most notable benefits of Schengen travel insurance is that you can receive cashless emergency medical care, which can be beneficial especially if you don’t have sufficient cash in hand or a high credit limit. In such cases, you will not need to pay for your treatment in full up front with the cashless system as your insurance company will take care of that for you.
• Travel Inconvenience Assistance – This cover type ensures that you have financial protection in case you encounter situations related to personal liabilities, the need for legal expenses, case of theft, and more. The scope of coverage, however, may differ from one plan to another.
• Baggage Loss Cover – In case your baggage is misplaced, stolen, or lost, you can be compensated under this policy and get the replacements arranged
• Flight-related Cover – This cover reimburses you for lost time or the cost of the tickets in the event of a flight cancellation or delay. In the UAE, a majority of travel insurance policies provide coverage for airline cancellations, delays, and other inconveniences.

Types of Travel Insurance for Belgium Schengen Visa

The following travel insurance options are available for your Schengen visa for Belgium –

• Single-Journey Travel Insurance for Schengen Visa - This travel insurance is specifically made for individuals making a single trip to Belgium. It is frequently used with a Type C single-entry Schengen visa. Keep in mind that solo travellers, groups of friends, families, and older folks who visit Belgium  occasionally can all get covered with this type of travel insurance.
• Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance for Belgium Schengen Visa - Travellers who often visit Belgium throughout the year, whether for business, meeting relatives, or vacation, should consider purchasing Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance for Schengen Visa. This type of travel insurance covers all the trips made by the policyholder in a year.

Processing Time for the Belgium Schengen Visa

In general circumstances, the processing of a Belgian Schengen visa may extend up to 15 days. This time frame, occasionally, may get prolonged in the following scenarios –

• Due to the volume of applications received by the Belgian Embassy receives or the importance of your case, it may take up to 30 days for the processing
• If the Belgian embassy is required to connect with the embassy of other Schengen countries, up to 60 days may be taken

When Should You Apply for Belgium Schengen Visa?

You must submit your application for a Schengen visa to Belgium within the designated time frame, which is covered in detail here -

• The earliest you can apply for a Schengen visa is at least 6 months before the date your trip starts
• Your application for a Schengen visa to Belgium may be submitted up to 15 days prior to your intended departure date

As per experts, it is advisable to apply for your Schengen visa at least three or four weeks before your trip starts.

Belgium Schengen Visa Fees

How Long is Your Belgium Schengen Visa Valid?

Your single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry Belgium Schengen visa (all under the category of Type C visas) are valid for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. The maximum period for which a multiple-entry Schengen visa can be valid is 5 years. One can also opt for Type D visas, which allow individuals visiting for work, education, and more to stay up to a year.

It must be noted that your Belgian Schengen visa can be extended only in extraordinary circumstances, such as after entering Belgium and discovering new information or unique circumstances.

If this is the case, you may submit your application for a visa extension here:

• For owners of regular passports, the Interior Department's Immigration Office can be contacted
• Holders of diplomatic, service, or special passports should contact federal public service foreign affairs

A few further things are to be noted here. For your instance, your visa can be revoked by the Belgian authorities if the prerequisites for granting the visa are no longer applicable. However, a Schengen visa for Belgium is not automatically revoked if the visa bearer fails to inform the border official of the entry requirements.

Key Takeaways

UAE nationals don’t need a Schengen visa to enter Belgium unless they have previously been turned away for admission without one. However, they would be required to apply for a Belgium Schengen visa if their stay would exceed 90 days. UAE citizens who possess passports from nations not covered by the Schengen visa waiver programme must also obtain a Belgium Schengen visa in order to enter Belgium.

When requesting a Schengen visa, specific documents must be submitted. This includes your current passport, a filled-out and signed copy of the Belgium Schengen visa, a travel insurance policy, proof of lodging, flight schedule, resident permission, and more.

With Policybazaar UAE, you can get the insurance part covered. On our platform, you can pick from a variety of travel insurance packages offered by the best companies in the UAE as well as excellent offers that lead to affordable premiums. In case you encounter any problems while comparing policies, you can also connect with our customer service team for assistance.

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