Visa Types
Belgium Work Visa Criteria
Apply to work in Belgium, extend a work permit or hire a foreign worker.
Key Points for Belgium Work Visa >>>
Do you need a visa to travel to Belgium?
To visit Belgium, Indians will need a Schengen visa.
Belgium visa application is made online or offline?
The visa application forms for short stay and long stay visas must be filled out online and submitted to the VFS Visa Application Centre.
Do I need to give biometrics?
Yes, biometrics are required to obtain a visa.
Is there an interview required to obtain a visa?
No, an interview is not usually required to obtain an Belgium visa, but it may vary. The embassy may interview you by phone or in person.
What is the maximum length of stay permitted on a work visa?
Varies based on the job offer and duration of employment.
What kind of visa will we acquire from Belgium?
It will be a physical sticker visa, which will be affixed to a page in your passport
Current Visa fees: (Updated on 01-07-2024)
|
DURATION |
VISA FEES IN EUROS |
|
Long Term Visa |
180 |
To obtain more information about fee, please click here
Step-by-step guide
Let us walk you through the process
- Determine the appropriate visa type and check your eligibility before proceeding with the application.
- Familiarize yourself with the required documents, processing time, and applicable fees.
- Ensure that your application adheres to the guidelines for your specific visa category, and if necessary, arrange for translations of non-English documents prior to submission.
- When you are prepared to apply, you can download the visa application form, fill it out, print it, and bring the completed form along with the necessary documents to the Visa Application Centre for submission.
- After filling out the visa form, you must schedule an appointment at a Visa Application Centre to have your biometric information (fingerprints and photo) taken.
- Upon booking the appointment, you will receive a confirmation email and an appointment letter.
- If you are applying as part of a family or group, each member must book their own individual appointment.
- Once you have submitted your application, you will be required to pay the visa application fee.
- If you choose to download and print the form, you can make the payment at the Visa Application Centre during your appointment. The visa fee must be paid at the Centre.
- At the Visa Application Centre, you will need to personally submit your completed visa application form. Upon arrival, you will go through the process.
- Once your decision has been returned to the Visa Application Centre, you will receive an email update. If email access is not convenient for you or if you prefer more detailed tracking information, you may have the option to receive updates via SMS directly to your phone. Check with the specific Visa Application Centre you visited to see if this service is available.
- Additionally, you can track the status of your visa application online. To access this service, use the Reference Number found on the invoice/receipt issued by the Visa Application Centre, along with your last name.
Once a decision has been made on your visa application, you can retrieve your passport from the Visa Application Centre or have it delivered to you by courier for an additional fee.
Passport collection can be done by the applicant themselves, except in specific cases:
- Immediate family members (parents, children, spouse) can collect on behalf of the applicant.
- Government officials can collect if authorized on official government letterhead.
- Red Carpet Representatives can collect if authorized on the company's letterhead.
Those collecting the passport must bring the following documents:
- Original government ID card
- Original ICR
- Original authorization letter from the applicant
The covering letter for couriered passports must include the applicant's personal address. The passport will not be couriered to travel agency addresses unless directed by the Embassy/Consulate.
For business applicants wishing to receive the passport at their office, the covering letter should mention the office address, and the courier request form should reflect the same.
In cases of application withdrawal, the passport must be collected from VFS Global only.
Please confirm the available options for document collection with the Visa Application Centre during their opening hours.
DOCUMENT CHECKLIST
When applying for a work visa (Visa D) to Belgium from India, you will generally need to provide a comprehensive set of documents to support your application. The following checklist covers the most common documents needed:
- Visa Application Form: Complete and sign the visa application form.
- Passport: Provide a valid passport with a minimum validity of 12 months.
- Passport Photos: Include two recent passport-sized photos with a white background.
- Employment Contract: Submit a copy of your employment contract or job offer letter from a Belgian employer.
- Work Permit: Provide a copy of the work permit issued by the Belgian authorities.
- Proof of Qualifications: Include copies of your educational certificates, degrees, or professional qualifications relevant to the job.
- Proof of Work Experience: Provide documentation that demonstrates your relevant work experience in the field.
- Health Insurance: Show proof of health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay in Belgium.
- Financial Means: Provide evidence of sufficient financial means to support yourself during your stay, such as bank statements or sponsorship letters.
- Housing Confirmation: Include a document confirming your accommodation arrangements in Belgium.
- Police Clearance Certificate: Provide a police clearance certificate issued by the authorities in your home country.
- Medical Certificate: Include a medical certificate attesting to your good health and absence of contagious diseases.
- Proof of Payment: Provide proof of payment for the application and processing fees.
Document checklist for Visa D Work ( more than 90 days) Unique Permit:
https://www.vfsglobal.com/belgium/uganda/pdf/latest-visa-d-work-permit-more-than-90-days.pdf
Document checklistfor Visa D Work (more than 90 days) Other Than Unique Permit:
https://www.vfsglobal.com/belgium/uganda/pdf/latest-visa-d-work-permit-more-than-90-days.pdf
Type A Work Permit:
- Valid passport with at least 12 months’ validity.
- Completed and signed visa application form.
- Copy of employment contract with a Belgian company or organization.
- Proof of specific expertise or qualifications that are in demand in Belgium.
- Academic or professional qualifications and certificates.
- Curriculum vitae (CV) highlighting relevant work experience.
- Proof of financial means to support yourself in Belgium.
- Health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay.
Type B Work Permit:
- Valid passport with at least 12 months’ validity.
- Completed and signed visa application form.
- Copy of job offer letter from a Belgian employer.
- Proof of qualifications and work experience relevant to the job.
- Academic or professional qualifications and certificates.
- Curriculum vitae (CV) highlighting relevant work experience.
- Proof of financial means to support yourself in Belgium.
- Health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay.
Type C Work Permit:
- Valid passport with at least 12 months’ validity.
- Completed and signed visa application form.
- Copy of employment contract or assignment letter from the foreign company.
- Letter of assignment or project details in Belgium.
- Proof of financial means to support yourself in Belgium.
- Health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay.
Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Permit:
- Valid passport with at least 12 months’ validity.
- Completed and signed visa application form.
- Copy of employment contract with the foreign company.
- Letter from the foreign company detailing the transfer and assignment in Belgium.
- Proof of financial means to support yourself in Belgium.
- Health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay.
European Blue Card:
- Valid passport with at least 12 months’ validity.
- Completed and signed visa application form.
- Copy of job offer letter from a Belgian employer.
- Proof of academic or professional qualifications that meet the criteria for the Blue Card.
- Proof of financial means to support yourself in Belgium.
- Health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay.
Self-Employed Work Permit:
- Valid passport with at least 12 months’ validity.
- Completed and signed visa application form.
- Business plan outlining your proposed self-employment venture.
- Proof of relevant professional qualifications or experience.
- Proof of financial means to support yourself and your business in Belgium.
- Health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay.
Seasonal Work Permit:
- Valid passport with at least 12 months’ validity.
- Completed and signed visa application form.
- Copy of employment contract or agreement with the Belgian employer.
- Proof of seasonal employment in industries such as agriculture or tourism.
- Proof of financial means to support yourself in Belgium.
- Health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay.
Researcher Work Permit:
- Valid passport with at least 12 months’ validity.
- Completed and signed visa application form.
- Letter of invitation from a recognized Belgian research institution.
- Research project details and supporting documents.
- Proof of financial means to support yourself in Belgium.
- Health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay.
Note: Please note that the specific document requirements may vary based on individual circumstances and the requirements of the Belgian authorities. It is advisable to consult the official website of the Belgian authorities or contact the Belgian Embassy or Consulate in your country for the most accurate and up-to-date information on work permit categories and requirements.
VISA APPLICATION FORMS
Before submitting your visa application, please review the list of required documents carefully. The guidelines provided on this website will assist you in preparing your documents accurately, reducing the chances of your application being rejected due to incorrect or incomplete documents
Applicants are requested to fill the online application form in Capital/Block letters only.
Belgium Online Long Term Visa Application Form: (Visa D)
Remember that this is a general outline, and the actual visa application form may have additional sections or require specific information depending on the type of visitor visa you are applying for. It is crucial to refer to the official visa application form provided by the official website of Belgium Embassy or Consulate for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
VISA APPLICATION GUIDELINES:
The process for applying for a Belgium Work/Permit visa from India typically involves the following steps:
- Determine the work permit category: Identify the appropriate work permit category based on your employment situation in Belgium. This could be a Type A, Type B, Type C, Intra-Company Transfer, or European Blue Card, depending on your qualifications, job offer, and specific circumstances.
- Obtain a job offer: Secure a job offer from a Belgian employer who is willing to sponsor your work permit application. Ensure that the job offer meets the requirements set by the Belgian authorities.
- Check the eligibility criteria: Review the eligibility criteria for the specific work permit category you are applying for. Verify that you meet the educational, professional, and experience requirements, as well as any other conditions specified for the category.
- Gather required documents: Collect all the necessary documents for your work permit visa application. This may include a valid passport, completed visa application form, employment contract or job offer letter, educational qualifications, professional certifications, proof of relevant work experience, proof of financial means, and any additional documents specified by the Belgian authorities.
- Employer’s involvement: Your Belgian employer will need to apply for a work permit on your behalf from the Belgian regional employment authorities (e.g., the Regional Employment Office). They will provide you with the necessary documents and information required for your work permit application.
- Visa application: Fill out the visa application form accurately and completely. You can typically download the form from the website of the Belgian Embassy or Consulate in India. Attach the required documents as mentioned in the form.
- Schedule an appointment: Contact the VFS Global or the Belgian Embassy/Consulate to schedule an appointment for submitting your visa application. Book the appointment online or through the designated visa application center. Ensure to book the appointment well in advance, as there may be a waiting period for available slots.
- Submit your application: Visit the Visa Application Center or the Belgian Embassy/Consulate on the appointed date and time. Bring the completed visa application form along with all the required documents. Submit your application at the designated counter and pay the applicable visa fee.
- Biometric data collection: In some cases, biometric data such as fingerprints and a photograph will be collected at the Visa Application Center. Follow the instructions provided by the staff and provide the necessary biometric information.
- Track your application: After submitting your application, you can track the progress of your visa application online using the reference number provided. This will allow you to stay updated on the status of your application and know when a decision has been made.
- Collect your passport: Once a decision has been made on your visa application, you will be notified to collect your passport. You can either collect it in person from the Visa Application Center or choose to have it delivered to your preferred address through a courier service. Make sure to bring the necessary identification and collection receipts when picking up your passport.
Note: It is important to note that the visa application process and requirements may vary depending on the individual’s circumstances, the chosen educational institution, and the specific requirements set by the Belgian authorities. It is recommended to consult the official website of the Belgian Embassy or Consulate in India or seek assistance from the visa application center for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
- Type A Work Permit: This permit is issued to highly skilled workers or specialists who are employed by a Belgian company or organization. It is typically granted to individuals with specific expertise or qualifications that are in demand in Belgium. The Type A Work Permit allows the holder to work and reside in Belgium for a specified period, usually based on the employment contract.
- Type B Work Permit: The Type B Work Permit is the most common type of work permit for non-European Union (EU) citizens. It is granted to employees who have a job offer from a Belgian employer and meet certain requirements, such as qualifications, work experience, and labor market conditions. The Type B Work Permit allows the holder to work and reside in Belgium for the duration specified in the permit.
- Type C Work Permit: The Type C Work Permit is issued to individuals who are employed by a foreign company but need to work in Belgium for a specific project or assignment. It is a temporary work permit and is typically issued for a limited duration. The Type C Work Permit allows the holder to work in Belgium for the specified project or assignment and is usually tied to a specific employer or project.
- Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Permit: The ICT Permit is issued to employees of multinational companies who are being transferred to a Belgian branch or subsidiary. It allows employees to work in Belgium for a temporary period while remaining employed by the foreign company. The ICT Permit is typically granted for a maximum period of three years and allows for intra-company transfers within the same corporate group.
- European Blue Card: The European Blue Card is designed to attract highly skilled workers from outside the European Union (EU) to work and live in Belgium. It is issued to individuals who have a job offer in Belgium and meet certain criteria, including specific qualifications and salary requirements. The European Blue Card allows the holder to work and reside in Belgium and provides a pathway to long-term residency and potentially citizenship in the future.
- Self-Employed Work Permit: The Self-Employed Work Permit is for individuals who wish to establish their own business or work as freelancers in Belgium. It requires demonstrating a viable business plan and meeting specific requirements related to professional qualifications, financial stability, and contribution to the Belgian economy. The Self-Employed Work Permit allows the holder to work and reside in Belgium as a self-employed individual.
- Seasonal Work Permit: The Seasonal Work Permit is issued to individuals who are employed in seasonal industries, such as agriculture or tourism, for a limited period of time. It allows them to work in Belgium during specific seasons or peak demand periods. The Seasonal Work Permit is typically tied to a specific employer and is granted for the duration of the seasonal work.
- Researcher Work Permit: The Researcher Work Permit is issued to researchers or scientists who are conducting research or working on a specific project in Belgium. It is designed to facilitate collaboration between Belgian research institutions and international researchers. The Researcher Work Permit allows the holder to work in Belgium for the duration of the research project or assignment and is usually tied to a specific research institution or project.
Note: It is important to note that the work permit visa application process and requirements may vary depending on the individual’s circumstances, the type of work permit being applied for, and the specific requirements set by the Belgian authorities. It is recommended to consult the official website of the Belgian Embassy or Consulate in India or seek assistance from the visa application center for the most accurate and up-to-date information. Additionally, your prospective employer in Belgium should be able to guide you through the process and provide support with the work permit application.