Stay in Belgium of less than 3 months (notification and renewal)

Are you coming to Belgium for a stay of less than 3 months? Then you must notify the city office of your short stay. You may require a short-stay visa type C. 

Short-Stay Visa

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.

For whom?

  • You are an EU/EEA or non-EU/EEA national, and are coming to Belgium for a stay of no more than 90 days. You are staying at a private address.
    Pay attention: You cannot register your short stay with the city if you are staying in a hotel or similar accommodation, nor if you are staying in a hospital.
  • You are a non-EU/EEA national. After your long stay in Belgium has come to an end, you have deregistered yourself and subsequently want to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days.
    This is only possible if you comply with both conditions mentioned herebelow:
    • You are exempt from visa for a short stay in the Schengen area, or still have a valid residence card of another Schengen member state.
    • You will reside at a private address in Leuven during (part of) your short stay. If this is not the case, the 'model 8' (confirmation of deregistration) is sufficient proof of your right to the short stay.

Which documents do you require?

This depends on your situation.

I am ... *

Which documents do you require to declare a short stay?

  • National identity card or national passport 
    Biodata page
    Pay attention to the requirements.
What is your situation? *
Are you coming to Belgium to work? *
Are you coming to Belgium to join an EU/EEA relative who legally resides in Belgium? *

Which documents do you require to declare a short stay?

  • National passport 
    Pay attention to the requirements
    Attention: We will later verify at the counter whether you have added all relevant entry and exit stamps. 
    • Biodata page
    • Page containing the visa (type C)
    • Page containing the only or most recent entry stamp for the Schengen area (if it does not appear on the visa page)
    • If applicable: all other pages containing entry and exit stamps for the Schengen area of the previous 180 days
  • 1 passport-size photo
    No more than 6 months old

Which documents do you require to declare a short stay?

  • National passport 
    Pay attention to the requirements
    Attention: We will later verify at the counter whether you have added all relevant entry and exit stamps. 
    • Biodata page
    • Page containing the visa (type C)
    • Page containing the only or most recent entry stamp for the Schengen area (if it does not appear on the visa page)
    • If applicable: all other pages containing entry and exit stamps for the Schengen area of the previous 180 days
  • Work permit B
  • 1 passport-size photo
    No more than 6 months old

Which documents do you require to declare a short stay?

  • National passport 
    Pay attention to the requirements
    Attention: We will later verify at the counter whether you have added all relevant entry and exit stamps. 
    • Biodata page
    • Page containing the visa (type C)
    • Page containing the only or most recent entry stamp for the Schengen area (if it does not appear on the visa page)
    • If applicable: all other pages containing entry and exit stamps for the Schengen area of the previous 180 days
  • 1 passport-size photo
    No more than 6 months old
  • Proof of the kinship with your relative 
    E.g. marriage or birth certificate
    Read the rules on translation and legalisation of documents 
  • Belgian residence card or Belgian identity card of your family member
    Pay attention to the requirements.

Which documents do you require to declare a short stay?

  • National passport 
    Pay attention to the requirements
    Attention: We will later verify at the counter whether you have added all relevant entry and exit stamps. 
    • Biodata page
    • Page containing the only or most recent entry stamp for the Schengen area
    • If applicable: all other pages containing entry and exit stamps for the Schengen area of the previous 180 days
  • 1 passport-size photo
    No more than 6 months old

Which documents do you require to declare a short stay?

  • National passport 
    Pay attention to the requirements
    Attention: We will later verify at the counter whether you have added all relevant entry and exit stamps. 
    • Biodata page
    • Page containing the only or most recent entry stamp for the Schengen area
    • If applicable: all other pages containing entry and exit stamps for the Schengen area of the previous 180 days
  • Work permit B
  • 1 passport-size photo
    No more than 6 months old

Which documents do you require to declare a short stay?

  • National passport 
    Pay attention to the requirements
    Attention: We will later verify at the counter whether you have added all relevant entry and exit stamps. 
    • Biodata page
    • Page containing the only or most recent entry stamp for the Schengen area
    • If applicable: all other pages containing entry and exit stamps for the Schengen area of the previous 180 days
  • 1 passport-size photo
    No more than 6 months old
  • Proof of the kinship with your relative 
    E.g. marriage or birth certificate
    Read the rules on translation and legalisation of documents 
  • Belgian residence card or Belgian identity card of your family member
    Pay attention to the requirements.

Which documents do you require to declare a short stay?

  • National passport 
    Biodata page
    Pay attention to the requirements.
  • Valid residence card of another Schengen member state
    Pay attention to the requirements.
  • Declaration on honour
    In this document you declare if and when you have been in Belgium in the past 180 days. 
    Download this document, and add it to your application, duly completed and signed. You must complete, date and sign the Dutch form. An English translation is attached on the second page.
  • 1 passport-size photo
    No more than 6 months old

Which documents do you require to declare a short stay?

  • National passport 
    Biodata page
    Pay attention to the requirements.
  • Valid residence card of another Schengen member state
    Pay attention to the requirements.
  • Declaration on honour
    In this document you declare if and when you have been in Belgium in the past 180 days. 
    Download this document, and add it to your application, duly completed and signed. You must complete, date and sign the Dutch form. An English translation is attached on the second page.
  • Work permit B
  • 1 passport-size photo
    No more than 6 months old

Which documents do you require to declare a short stay?

  • National passport 
    Biodata page
    Pay attention to the requirements.
  • Valid residence card of another Schengen member state
    Pay attention to the requirements.
  • Declaration on honour
    In this document you declare if and when you have been in Belgium in the past 180 days. 
    Download this document, and add it to your application, duly completed and signed. You must complete, date and sign the Dutch form. An English translation is attached on the second page.
  • 1 passport-size photo
    No more than 6 months old
  • Proof of the kinship with your relative 
    E.g. marriage or birth certificate
    Read the rules on translation and legalisation of documents 
  • Belgian residence card or Belgian identity card of your family member
    Pay attention to the requirements.

Which documents do you require to declare a short stay?

  • National passport 
    Biodata page
    Pay attention to the requirements.
  • Your Belgian residence card
    Pay attention to the requirements.
  • 1 passport-size photo
    No more than 6 months old

How to apply?

1. Gather the documents

You must add them to your application.

What you need to know before you start

  • Attach the documents in colour.
  • Preferably attach the documents in pdf (not applicable for photos).
  • Make a single file of documents consisting of several pages or belonging together.
    E.g. all passport pages containing stamps as 1 proof of previous visits to the Schengen area
  • A document may not exceed 10 MB in size.

2. Apply for your declaration of arrival

Are you coming with your family? Request a declaration of arrival for each family member separately.

Apply for declaration of arrival

3. We process you application

We process your application.

4. Collect your declaration of arrival

You will receive an invitation by email to collect your declaration of arrival, by appointment.

How to make an appointment?

If you are not in Belgium, you can only make an appointment by phone.

Make an appointment for collection

What do you need to bring?

  • National passport or identity card
  • Invitation from the city
  • The documents mentioned in your invitation

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?

1. Gather the documents

You attach these documents to your application:

  • National passport
    Biodata page
    Pay attention to the requirements
  • Declaration of arrival
    'Annex 3'
  • Proof of a valid travel insurance
    The travel insurance:
    • Is valid for the duration of the desired extension
    • Is valid for the entire Schengen area
    • Offers a minimum coverage of € 30,000
  • Motivation letter
    You explain why you cannot leave Belgium due to exceptional circumstances
  • Other proof in support of your application for extension
    If applicable.
  • Medical certificate
    If you are applying for extension for medical reasons.
    Print this document, and have it completed and duly signed by your attending specialist.
Downloads
Medical certificate - extension short stay(pdf, 41.15 KB)

What you need to know before you start

  • Attach the documents in colour.
  • Preferably attach the documents in pdf (not applicable for photos).
  • Make a single file of documents consisting of several pages or belonging together.
    E.g. all pages of your travel insurance contract
  • A document may not exceed 10 MB in size.

2. Apply for your extension

Apply for extension of your short stay

3. We forward your application to the FPS Home Affairs, Immigration Office

As soon as we receive their decision, we shall invite you to come to the city office, by appointment.

How to make an appointment?

Make an appointment

What do you need to bring?
  • National passport
  • Declaration of arrival (‘annex 3’)

More information

Do you have a question? 

Contact us, we are happy to help you.

Call us

016 27 21 94

Mail us

nietbelgen@leuven.be
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