Belgian visa resources
Eligibility for a Belgium visa application
The general eligibility principles for Belgium's national long-stay (visa D) routes: who needs one, who is exempt, and the conditions each category must meet.
Important
A national long-stay visa (visa D) is required by third-country nationals who wish to stay in Belgium for more than 90 days. Eligibility is route-based: an applicant must fall within one of the recognised national categories and satisfy that category's specific conditions. The Immigration Office lists many such national entries, spanning study, salaried and self-employed work, seasonal work, researchers, family reunification, retirement/rentiers, working-holiday schemes and humanitarian grounds.
EU citizens and nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway and Switzerland do not need a visa D, and in some cases their visa-exempt family members are also covered. Everyone else must show, in addition to the category-specific proof, that they meet the baseline conditions for admission.
Who needs a visa D (and who is exempt)
- Required for third-country nationals intending to stay more than 90 days
- Not required for EU citizens or nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway and Switzerland
- Certain visa-exempt spouses, partners or children of the above groups may also be exempt (excluding family members of Belgian citizens)
Baseline conditions common to most routes
- A valid travel document
- Proof of sufficient means of subsistence
- Health insurance covering risks in Belgium
- No conviction record for common-law crimes (certificate usually required from age 18) and no threat to public order
- Fulfilment of the specific purpose (e.g. admission to a recognised institution, a single permit, a genuine family relationship)
Main national categories
- Study at recognised higher-education institutions
- Salaried employment, self-employment and seasonal work
- Researchers under a hosting/guest agreement
- Family reunification with a Belgian citizen, EU citizen or authorised resident
- Other routes such as rentier/retirement, working-holiday and humanitarian grounds
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.