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Visa to Belgium for Russians in 2020: needed or not, price and a lot useful information about the country
Belgium attracts tourists with ancient cities, beautiful bridges, large artificial canals, modern parks and facilities. According to statistics, the country is visited by more than ten million tourists from all over the world annually. And the time of year does not play a fundamental difference here. People come here in summer, autumn, winter and spring. Do you want to come here? Find out if Russians need a visa to Belgium in 2020, how to get it, what documents you need to collect and what is the price of the issue. And so, we make a visa to Belgium on our own.
Who needs a visa to Belgium?
For whatever purpose you are going to the country, you need a visa. Whether you are an ordinary tourist or want to work here, you need a visa. Even if you are going to visit friends and relatives, you cannot do without the cherished ticket. If so, let's start collecting documents.
What types of visas to Belgium are there?
If you have Schengen open, then you can safely cross the borders of all EU states. But many are denied Schengen, and someone does not want to receive it and receives a national visa of the country. If you belong to the second category, then choose the type of visa that suits the purpose of your trip:
- tourism: if your goal is only tourism.
- private: if you go to the country on your personal business.
- business: here the purpose of your trip is negotiations or business.
- educational: you are flying to Belgium to study.
- transit: you are in transit in the country and you just need to pass through its territory.
A visa can be short-term and is issued if you plan to stay in a country three months. And there are long-term, such visas allow staying in the country for more than 90 days.
Schengen documents for a trip to Belgium.
If you look at the statistics, you can see that 95% of all requested visas to Belgium are tourist. This suggests that the country is primarily interesting as a tourist center. And here are the documents you need to collect for a visa:
- a completed application form on any official language European Union (English, German, French or Dutch). Fill out the form in your native Russian language - get a refusal.
- a personal passport with a copy of all significant pages. The validity of the passport must be another 90 days from the date of departure from the country. Plus, there must be at least two blank pages at the end.
- two photographs for your visa.
- insurance in the amount of at least 30 thousand euros for the entire stay in the country.
- certificate of employment, which indicates your position and title. Also, there will be no extra salary certificate.
- passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation and a copy of important pages.
- Bank statement of your account. The account must have at least 40 euros for each day of stay in the country. That is, for a trip for 10 days, the account must have at least 400 euros.
- booking for hotels and tickets for a plane or other transport.
- paid visa fee.
- if there are old passports, then their copy or originals.
As you can see, the list of documents is the same for everyone who receives a Schengen visa. But remember an important condition: having received the Schengen of Belgium, you must first visit this particular country, and only then can you start your journey around Europe.
How to get a long-term visa to Belgium?
All tourists would like to get this type of visa. But, alas, it is given out only to certain categories of people.
First, the students who will study in the country. Also, if you have received a work permit in Belgium, then you are also entitled to a multi-visa. And if you decide to connect your relationship with a citizen of the country, then a visa is issued to you for a year and then extended.
If you constantly fly to the European Union and do not violate the visa regime and the laws of the Union, then after a few years you can also be issued a multi-visa, which gives you the right to visit any country in the European Union for a year, two or more years. But few people received this type of visa. But you can get such a visa if you have personal property in the country or millions of euros on your account.
The cost of a visa to Belgium: the price in euros
Getting a short stay visa? – pay 35 euros.
Would you like to get a long-term visa? – then you have 180 euros.
You can pay the consular fee directly at the embassy and you can do it in rubles at the exchange rate on the day of application.
If you decide to use the services of the visa center, then their services are paid separately and they cost about 1170 rubles.
Many travel agencies offer their visa processing services. Remember - their cost is the highest and sometimes reaches up to 60 euros!
Deadline for your application.
According to EU law, all visa responses must be given within 10 business days. But, as a rule, the answer comes on the fifth day. This is due to the fact that obtaining a visa to Belgium is very difficult. It is said that only 10% of all tourists from Russia were able to get the Schengen of Belgium. Any mistake in the documents is a refusal. Any defect is a denial. A typo is a denial. Something wrong with the documents - refusal.
So it's easier to get a Schengen for Bulgaria or another country and then travel around the European Union and fly to Belgium.
Often, Russians and Belarusians prefer the Belgian Schengen, as this country is loyal to tourists and rarely refuses to issue a permit. To enter Belgium, it is enough to choose the right type of visa and collect the appropriate package of documents.
There are several main types of visa "stickers" that give the right to stay in the country. Based on the duration of the period of stay can be short-term and long-term.
The pan-European "short" include:
- transit. Issued by citizens who plan to stop in Belgium for up to five days on their way to any state that is not part of the Schengen area;
- Tourist. A classic permit for travelers who enter for a holiday and plan to stay in a hotel or rent a temporary accommodation;
- Business. The basis for registration will be participation in business events, forums or negotiations;
- Sports. This type request both those participating in sports competitions or coaching / attendants, and everyone who wants to cheer for compatriot athletes;
- Medical. Required by citizens who need a course of short-term therapy or a medical examination;
- Educational short term. It is given in the case of a trip for educational purposes that do not involve a long stay in Belgium - summer camps, language or professional courses or trainings;
- Guestbook. Requested by citizens who fly by invitation to friends or relatives living in the country and intend to stay with them;
- "Partnership" and "Marriage". They are received by a foreigner/foreigner on the basis of the intention to either reside in the country to strengthen relations, or to formalize marital ties with a citizen/citizen of the Kingdom.
- For family reunification in Belgium. Requested by the subjects of the kingdom for relatives abroad (depending on which relative and for whom he draws up, the list of documents varies somewhat);
- Working. Visa permission for highly professional specialists or workers entering for exercise labor activity in a company / firm in the kingdom;
- Visa "maid". A separate subcategory of a work visa, which is issued if the contract is concluded with individual for a certain type of housework;
- Student. Issued to applicants entering Belgian universities for long-term courses / training programs;
- Visa for return. A special type of permit that is required for re-entry to those who previously received a residence permit of the kingdom.
Possible ways of obtaining a Belgian visa
Information on obtaining the coveted sticker from the Belgian Foreign Ministry can be submitted in several ways:
- The requester can do this himself by enrolling in an embassy or consular mission;
- Contact one or another intermediary, including visa service centers, travel companies and air carriers;
- A number of documents can also be sent by mail.
It must be remembered that the final decision on a visa is made by the consulate, and intermediary structures, even if they have official accreditation at the embassy, can only help with the preparation of documentation.
Where to apply for a visa to Belgium
Opening hours and locations of official consular offices where Russian and Belarusian applicants can submit documentation packages are provided below.
In Russian federation:
In the Republic of Belarus:
Due to the fact that there is no embassy of the kingdom in Belarus, citizens of the country can apply to the German diplomatic mission, which acts as a structure of the honorary consulate of Belgium, to submit documents on their own. Through it, you can apply for short-term Schengen visas, but for a "long" national liner, you will need to go to Russia.
Consular Section of the German Embassy:
What documents are needed to apply for a visa to Belgium in 2019
The basic set of documentation required by the applicant for a Belgian visa:
- 2 "fresh" photos 35-45 mm in size;
- Civil passport + copy without blank pages;
- Passport + copy;
- Originals (if any) or copies of expired "foreigners" or pages with previously issued Schengen visas;
- Details of a hotel reservation or guarantee of another place of residence;
- Air or other tickets;
- International travel insurance policy (covering at least €30,000).
It also provides evidence of Money. Allowed:
- Help-certificate from work;
- Document from the Pension Fund;
- Evidence of another source of permanent income: shares, stock or bond "securities";
- A letter from the sponsor of the trip confirming the solvency of the person or company.
The amount must be equivalent to €95 per day of stay, when booking a hotel and €45 when staying with the inviting person.
How to fill out a visa application form
The first thing that the consular agent will offer the applicant is to fill out a questionnaire with information about the trip to Belgium through a specially created government portal:
All that the client needs after registration is to enter, in accordance with the forms on the screen, the necessary information about himself and about the details of entering the Kingdom. The language is selected in the first tab.
Belgium e-visa form:
When entering data, it is important to check them, since after registering the application and assigning a number to it, it will not be possible to correct the information and you will have to fill in everything from scratch.
The printed request-application will need to be signed personally and attached to the documentation package.
Additional documents for issuing different types (categories) of visas
When requesting visas various types the list of information is supplemented by certain documents. To navigate, the applicant just needs to select the type of visa he needs and, by clicking on the link, familiarize himself with the documentation that must be submitted:
All submitted documents must be accompanied by one or two copies, certified (using an apostille) and translated into one of the allowed languages:
- English;
- French;
- Dutch.
Additional list of documents for minor children, pensioners
For individual age categories, the requirements are slightly different. If the border of the kingdom is crossed by a minor, it is necessary to supplement the visa package in advance:
- Child ID or other birth document + copy and legalized translation;
- Notarized power of attorney or consent to leave from the father or mother (or both), if he leaves without them;
- Sponsorship letter from the person paying the expenses.
For traveling citizens of retirement age, the list of information is supplemented by:
- Certificate of pensioner status + copy and translation;
- Proof of financial solvency - a letter from a sponsor or bank statements.
Documents required when traveling by own car
Additional documentation is also required for citizens who intend to travel around Europe on a personal vehicle:
- Driver's license of international format;
- Vehicle registration + copy and translation;
- "Motorist's Green Card" is a global insurance plastic.
Do I need fingerprinting, medical examination
Since 2015, obtaining a Schengen visa to Belgium has been linked to the submission of fingerprints. This procedure is carried out every five years. Therefore, those who have submitted biometrics for European visas before will not have to go through the procedure again.
Also exempt from it:
- Children under the age of 12;
- Disabled persons with injuries or injuries on their hands.
You can apply for a biometric sheet at a visa center accredited to the diplomatic mission as part of the visa application procedure.
A medical examination for this country may be required only for applicants for certain categories of visas. The certificate is issued by a polyclinic at the embassy.
Visa processing time
The main period for consideration of the application is about 3 working days. The extension of the processing time depends on the requested permission and the volume of the documentary dossier, which Brussels diplomats will have to check.
To track the processing status of a visa application, if it was submitted through the tls center, the requester can use the online tracker: or call the embassy during reception hours.
In what ways can I get ready-made documents. What to do if you miss the deadline
Having learned about the readiness of the insert, it is possible to pick up the passport on your own or issue a power of attorney for a representative who will drive up to the consular department or the visa center.
It is also possible to request that the finished passport be sent by mail or by courier. The service is provided for an additional fee.
The finished document, as a rule, is transferred to the visa center and will be there until required.
The cost of a Belgian visa in 2019
The cost of obtaining a visa consists of the consular fee, the service fee of the visa center (about 1900 rubles) and paid additional services. Which of them will be needed, and how much he is willing to pay, the applicant decides for himself.
The amount of the consular fee depends on the citizenship of the applicant and the duration of the visa.
Validity of a visa to Belgium
Belgian visas related to Schengen can be single, double or multiple. They allow you to enter Belgium for 90 days, after which you will need to leave the country. Visas of the national category D are opened for a period of more than ninety days of non-departure stay. They can be extended, but the applicant must provide a substantial reason.
Visa extension rules
Extending the validity of a visa permit is a separate procedure that foreigners studying or working in the country must take care of in advance. For example, to extend the working visa D, you should coordinate the issue with the employer at least one month before the expiration of the previous visa and jointly submit a request and the necessary documents to the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to the migration unit:
- Request for extension (with reasons);
- Passport and a copy of the previously received visa;
- Documents confirming the request - work permit, lease or housing agreement, education documents, financial guarantees, etc.
It is important to remember that if the visa has expired, then the applicant who did not renew it remains in the country at his own peril and risk. Forced deportation can result in sanctions, up to a ban on staying not only in Belgium, but in all countries of the Eurozone.
For what reasons can they refuse to obtain a Belgian visa
Despite the well-established procedure and well-defined lists of documentation, when applying for exit permits to the country, refusals are not rare. When instead of a passport with a visa in an envelope from a diplomatic mission there is a letter of refusal, the first thing you need is to figure out the reason. To do this, you should pay attention to which category of "unreliability" the application fell into.
- C1– for a year prohibits entry into the states of the Schengen zone;
- C2– you will need to sign up for a conversation at the consulate to clarify certain details;
- C3- errors in the documentation or application, or the absence of any information;
- C4- intentional forgery in the submitted data, or a threat to the country coming from the applicant noticed by the staff. Closes entry to the EU indefinitely without the right to appeal.
In the first and fourth cases, the applicant is unlikely to be able to do anything, but in the second and third cases, he will be given the opportunity to correct typos or convey this or that document. Also, employees have the right to give the go-ahead to open a visa permit after an interview at the consulate.
- Hotel reservation, voucher or confirmation of accommodation (if issued in electronic form, you must provide an extract from the site) with the data of all persons living in the room; if you rent a house or apartment, you must provide a lease agreement, a copy of the identity document of the landlord and a payment document. Detailed trip plan
For minors
For pensioners
For unemployed persons
For sole proprietors and LLC owners
Disabled people 1 and 2 groups
- A valid foreign passport valid for at least 3 months after the end of the trip and having at least 2 free pages (+ photocopies of pages: the front side of the passport and all completed pages, as well as pages of entry-exit stamps)
- Canceled foreign passport (if available) + copies
- Internal passport (+ photocopies of pages: the front side of the passport, place of residence, military duty, marital status, children, information about a previously issued passport)
- Certificate of employment, indicating the position and salary and valid for no more than 1 month at the time of submission of documents. YOU MUST REGISTER A VACATION. It is advisable to provide form 2 personal income tax + a copy of the work book.
- Certificate from a bank account valid for no more than 1 month at the time of the interview. The minimum account balance is 1200 euros per person. Bank statement for the last 3 - 6 months.
- Documents confirming a strong connection with the Russian Federation: marriage certificate, birth certificates of children
- Two printed color photographs (3.5x4.5 cm, face height 3-3.5 cm) on a white background without corners or ovals, taken within the last 6 months.
- Medical insurance for the entire period of the trip with a minimum insurance amount of 35,000 euros can be obtained at our office
- Air tickets (if available and or booking air tickets). If traveling by transport: itinerary, indicating the dates of stay in each country on the way to Belgium, a photocopy of the vehicle's technical passport, driver's license and international car insurance (Green Card)
- Travel itinerary: indicating the proposed program.
- An invitation letter from a citizen of Belgium, certified in any public service(if not a resident of Belgium, then provide a residence permit)
- Passport copy of the inviter
- Tax return of the inviter for the last year
For minors
- Birth certificate (+ photocopy)
- Notarized consent from a parent who does not travel with a child + photocopies of parents' passports
- Copy of parent's valid Schengen visa (if available)
- Certificate from work and a certificate from the bank account of one of the parents (if any)
- A certificate from a school or university confirming the child's place of study
For pensioners
- Pension certificate (+ photocopy)
- Certificate from a bank account or from the account of a sponsor who pays for the trip of a pensioner + a document confirming kinship
For unemployed persons
- Certificate from a bank account or from the account of a sponsor who pays for the trip of an unemployed citizen + a document confirming kinship
For sole proprietors and LLC owners
- EGRIP or Unified State Register of Legal Entities (+ photocopy)
- TIN certificate (+ photocopy)
- Copy of tax return for the previous year
Disabled people 1 and 2 groups
- Document confirming disability (+ photocopy)
- A valid foreign passport valid for at least 3 months after the end of the trip and having at least 2 free pages (+ photocopies of pages: the front side of the passport and all completed pages, as well as pages of entry-exit stamps)
- Canceled foreign passport (if available) + copies
- Internal passport (+ photocopies of pages: the front side of the passport, place of residence, military duty, marital status, children, information about a previously issued passport)
- Certificate of employment, indicating the position and salary and valid for no more than 1 month at the time of submission of documents. YOU MUST REGISTER A VACATION. It is advisable to provide form 2 personal income tax + a copy of the work book.
- Certificate from a bank account valid for no more than 1 month at the time of the interview. The minimum account balance is 1200 euros per person. Bank statement for the last 3 - 6 months.
- Documents confirming a strong connection with the Russian Federation: marriage certificate, birth certificates of children
- Two printed color photographs (3.5x4.5 cm, face height 3-3.5 cm) on a white background without corners or ovals, taken within the last 6 months.
- Medical insurance for the entire period of the trip with a minimum insurance amount of 35,000 euros can be obtained at our office
- Air tickets (if available and or booking air tickets). If traveling by transport: itinerary, indicating the dates of stay in each country on the way to Belgium, a photocopy of the vehicle's technical passport, driver's license and international car insurance (Green Card)
- Travel itinerary: indicating the proposed program.
- Invitation from a Belgian company on an official letterhead with a certified signature (a photocopy can be provided)
For minors
- Birth certificate (+ photocopy)
- Notarized consent from a parent who does not travel with a child + photocopies of parents' passports
- Copy of parent's valid Schengen visa (if available)
- Certificate from work and a certificate from the bank account of one of the parents (if any)
- A certificate from a school or university confirming the child's place of study
For pensioners
- Pension certificate (+ photocopy)
- Certificate from a bank account or from the account of a sponsor who pays for the trip of a pensioner + a document confirming kinship
For unemployed persons
- Certificate from a bank account or from the account of a sponsor who pays for the trip of an unemployed citizen + a document confirming kinship
For sole proprietors and LLC owners
- EGRIP or Unified State Register of Legal Entities (+ photocopy)
- TIN certificate (+ photocopy)
- Copy of tax return for the previous year
Disabled people 1 and 2 groups
- Document confirming disability (+ photocopy)
Petran Alexander
Schengen visa
Problem:
The client asked us for help in obtaining a Schengen visa. I needed a visa in a short time, to Belgium. The young man did not have a bank account, he could only provide a certificate of employment, which did not suit the Belgian embassy. The appointment to apply to the Belgian Visa Application Center was a few days ahead. The client was very worried, because he had bought a ticket and a hotel, and the trip could not take place.
Solution:
They listened to the client, calmed him down and offered to file through another country, namely France. The French Embassy does not require account statements, they are quite satisfied with the employment of the applicant. In addition, you do not need to make an appointment at the visa center to submit documents. And since the client had previously submitted biometrics, we submitted his documents without any extra effort from the client.
Result:
Got a Schengen visa for 1 year in 3 days. The trip took place, the client pleased with his review and photos from Brussels.
Ivanova Margarita
Visa to Ireland
Problem:
The woman applied to our office for a visa to Ireland. The problem was that she needed a foreign passport to travel to a Schengen country, so she had to get a visa to Ireland in 7 days, which is impossible since the processing of documents takes from 15 working days. The woman is very principled, she demanded a guarantee from our side that she would have her passport on time with a visa.
Solution:
We entered into the position of the client, listened and began to figure out how to quickly return the passport to the client with a visa. We contacted the consulate, explained the situation, and the problem was immediately resolved, since the consulate accepts documents for consideration without a foreign passport. We offered the client this option, which completely suited her. We submitted the documents without any problems without a passport and just waited for the consulate to make a decision on issuing a visa. After the trip to the Schengen country took place, the client gave us her passport, and we, in turn, handed it over to the consulate for a visa sticker.
Result:
The client did not lose money for her trip to the Schengen country and, in addition, she got a visa to Ireland. Got my visa on time. Remained satisfied.
Shumskikh Anna
Visa to Spain
Problem:
A young girl turned to us for help in obtaining a visa to a Schengen country. Previously, there were no visas, one flies. The passport was received recently. 3 months ago there was a refusal with a stamp in the old passport. I could not provide a certificate from the account, just like a certificate from work. The girl also had a trip to St. Petersburg planned, so she wanted an impersonal application and a visa for at least 1 year. Worried about being rejected again.
Solution:
We got acquainted with the situation of the girl, suggested that she apply for accreditation through Spain. We ordered a certificate from the bank, which was done in 1 day. Moreover, they offered to attach a visa of a friend, to confirm that the young girl would not be alone. All documents were prepared and given to an accredited person, who himself submitted the documents and recorded the girl for biometrics upon her return from St. Petersburg.
Result:
The client received a Spanish visa as she wanted for 1 year. She only had to go once to the consulate for biometrics.
