Belgian visa resources
Appointments and biometrics for a Belgium visa application
How to book and attend a Belgium visa D appointment, where biometrics are captured at the consular post or visa application centre, and how in-country biometrics work.
Important
Applications for a national long-stay visa are lodged at the Belgian diplomatic or consular post responsible for the applicant's place of residence abroad. Most posts work with an external service provider (such as VFS Global or TLS Contact) that runs a Visa Application Centre (VAC) where the application is submitted in person. The process starts online: applicants create an account and complete the form on VisaOnWeb before booking an appointment.
Personal appearance is normally required because the centre captures the applicant's biometrics. Some posts accept applications by post instead of an appointment; procedures differ by country, so always follow the instructions of the competent post.
Booking and lodging the application
- Create an account and complete the visa form on visaonweb.diplomatie.be
- Book an appointment via the external service provider (VFS Global / TLS Contact) where applicable
- Submit the file in person at the Visa Application Centre or consular post
- Some posts allow submission by post ('skip the appointment') - check the local post's rules
Biometrics
- At the visa application centre a photo and fingerprints of the applicant are taken
- Personal appearance is mandatory even where an initial application is sent remotely (e.g. from a conflict zone)
- In Belgium, biometrics are also captured by the commune when the electronic residence card is issued
Next steps
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.