Belgium - Student

Where and how to apply

To obtain a D visa to travel to Belgium, you need to submit an application containing all required documents (cf. ‘Documents required’) to the Belgian diplomatic or consular post of your place of residence.

The authorities take your fingerprints and a digital photo.

You can check the status of your visa application online by entering your reference number and the location of the diplomatic or consular post.

Documents required

To apply for a long-term visa (D visa), you need to submit:

• your international passport;
• a standard medical certificate;
• a certificate attesting to the lack of any convictions for crimes or offences under common law (if you are 21 or older);
• proof of payment of the administrative fee (scholarship holders are exempted from this requirement if the scholarship is granted by the Belgian or EU authorities);
• proof of enrolment in the educational institution;
• proof of sufficient means of subsistence.

Further requirements

Residence permit

After your arrival in Belgium, you need to register at the municipality of your place of residence within 8 working days. The municipality issues a residence permit for a limited period of time (A-card).

Duration of validity of permit

The residence permit for students is valid for a period of up to one academic year + one month. The permit is renewable.

Conditions for renewal

You need to apply for renewal to the municipality of your place of residence at the latest 15 days before your residence permit expires.

You have made sufficient study progress as a graduate or bachelor student if you obtain a total of 45 credits in the first two years and 45 credits for each subsequent year. As a Master's student, you need to obtain a total of 60 credits in the first two years and 60 credits for each subsequent year.

Appeals

If your application for a long stay visa has been rejected by the Immigration Office, you can lodge an appeal against this decision before the Council for Alien Law Litigation (CALL) within 30 days after you received the decision.

Further information

Higher education in Belgium

Employment during studies

You can work up to 20 hours a week, provided your work does not interfere with your studies (and without limit during school holidays).

Stay and employment after studies

Change of status

If your personal situation or purpose of stay changes during your legal stay in Belgium, you can apply for most other statuses.

Family members

Your family members have a right to stay in Belgium if they meet the conditions for family reunification.

Long-term residence

As a student, you do not qualify for EU long-term resident status. You can apply for EU long-term resident status on the basis of another status after 5 years of uninterrupted legal stay in Belgium (and provided you have sufficient, regular and stable means of subsistence and health insurance). In this case, your previous study period in Belgium is taken into account at 50%.