Stay of less than 3 months (notification)

If you want to come to Belgium for less than 3 months and you are a a non-EU/EEA national, you may require a ‘short-stay visa type C'. A visa is a sticker which is placed in your passport by the consulate of a Schengen country, granting permission to stay in the Schengen area for a specific period.

Check the list of nationalities which do not require a short stay visa.

How to apply?

Personally at the competent Belgian embassy or consulate, or at the embassy of the Schengen country which represents Belgium in the country where you live. They will provide you with more information about the visa and the conditions.

Further information

You can find all the information on the visa type C for the Schengen area on the FPS Foreign Affairs website. 

Declaration of arrival

Request a declaration of arrival as soon as possible after you arrive in Belgium.

How to apply?

• Email to:
  nietbelgen@leuven.be 
   
• Subject line of the email:
  ‘declaration of arrival' + your name (as stated on your national identity card or passport) + national registration number, if any
• Attach the following documents (in PDF format, scanned separately):
  • EU/EEA citizen: national identity card (front and back) or national passport (biodata page)
  • Non-EU/EEA citizen: 
    • National passport (biodata page + all printed pages)
    • If any: visa or residence card of another EU member state (front and back)
  • If you are a non-EU/EER citizen who is joining an EU/EEA or Belgian relative who legally resides in Belgium: furthermore proof of the relationship (e.g. marriage/birth certificate) + Belgian residence card respectively identity card of your family member
  • 1 passport-size photo (maximum 6 months old)
     
• Mention the following information in the email:
  • Reason for the application
  • Surname, given name(s) ((as stated on your national identity card or passport)
  • Date and place of birth
  • Nationality
  • Address in Leuven
  • Belgian phone number
    If you do not have a Belgian phone number, please provide the Belgian phone number of a contact person, mentioning their name
  • Date of entry into Belgium

Renewal of short stay 

Are you a non-EU/EEA national and are you unable to leave Belgium at the end of your short stay due to exceptional circumstances (e.g. for medical reasons)? In that case, you can submit an application to extend your short stay.

How to apply?

• Email to:
  nietbelgen@leuven.be
   
• Subject line of the email:
  ‘renewal declaration of arrival' + your name (as stated on your national identity card or passport) + reference number of annex 3
   
• Attach the following documents (in PDF format, scanned separately):
  • National passport (biodata page + visa, if any + all printed pages)
  • Declaration of arrival (annex 3) 
  • Travel insurance valid for the duration of the desired extension, with a minimum coverage of € 30,000 and valid for the entire Schengen area
  • Proof that you are unable to return due to exceptional circumstances
  • Motivation letter
  • Documents in support of your application for extension (e.g. medical attestation) 

• Mention the following information in the email:
  • Reason for the application
  • Surname, given name(s)
  • Date and place of birth
  • Nationality
  • Address in Leuven
  • Email address at which the authorities can contact you
  • Belgian phone number
    If you do not have a Belgian phone number, please provide the Belgian phone number of a contact person, mentioning their name

Formal obligation (annex 3bis)

Sometimes, non-EU nationals who intend to come to Belgium for maximum 3 months require someone who stands surety for them. This person must come to the city office with the completed ‘Formal obligation’ document (annex 3bis).
 

Call the non-Belgians counter to make an appointment:

What do you need to bring?

• Belgian: Belgian identity card
• Non-Belgian: national passport and/or identity card and Belgian residence permit
• Completed Annex 3bis (not yet signed)
• If the person you would like to invite does not request the visa at a Belgian embassy or does not need a visa: 3 recent payslips

More information

• FPS Home Affairs
• Agentschap Integratie en Inburgering