Belgian visa resources
Processing times for a Belgium visa application
How long Belgium's national long-stay (visa D) decisions take, including the legal deadlines that apply to family-reunification routes.
Important
Processing time for a Belgian national long-stay visa depends on the category, the completeness of the file, the season and the workload of the post and the Immigration Office. For several routes the law fixes a maximum decision period; for others the consular post publishes an indicative range. Applicants are advised to lodge in good time but no more than six months before the intended start of the stay.
Family reunification has the clearest statutory deadlines, which depend on the status of the sponsor (the person already in Belgium). Where a decision to issue the visa is taken, it is generally valid for six months, and the visa D itself is issued with a validity of 12 months.
Statutory deadlines for family reunification
- Sponsor is a Belgian citizen: decision within 6 months of submission
- Sponsor is a third-country national with authorised stay: 9 months, extendable by 3 months up to twice in complex cases
- Sponsor holds a highly-qualified worker (H) card: 4 months, extendable by 3 months once
- Sponsor is an EU long-term resident: 4 months, extendable by 3 months once
Indicative times for other routes
- Study and employment routes typically range from a few weeks to about 3 months, depending on subcategory
- Study at private higher-education institutions: consular posts advise allowing roughly 10 to 16 weeks
- Lodge no more than 6 months before the intended start of the stay
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.