Belgium tourist visa
Belgium sits at the crossroads of the Schengen area, and a holiday there runs on the same short-stay visa (Type C) as the rest of it. The visa lets an Indian passport holder stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period and move freely across every Schengen country. Apply through Belgium when it is your main destination — or, if no single country dominates the trip, when Belgium is where you first enter the Schengen area.
In India, you complete the form online on Belgium's VisaOnWeb platform and lodge it at a VFS Global centre. Which mission handles you comes down to where you live: the Belgian Embassy in New Delhi covers North and East India, the Consulate General in Mumbai covers West and South. We read your profile honestly, build the file, and manage the submission and biometrics booking.
Who this visa is for
- ✓Indian passport issued within the last 10 years, valid at least 3 months beyond your intended departure from the Schengen area, with at least 2 blank pages
- ✓Belgium is your main destination, or your first point of entry into the Schengen area if there is no single main destination
- ✓Purpose limited to tourism, sightseeing or visiting family and friends for up to 90 days
- ✓Proof of sufficient funds for the trip and of ties that show you will return to India
- ✓Travel medical insurance covering the entire Schengen area for a minimum of EUR 30,000
Visa options for Belgium
Schengen short-stay visa (Type C)
For tourism and private or family visits; up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area.
Single or multiple-entry Type C
The Belgian consulate sets the number of entries and the validity based on your travel plans and visa history.
Long-stay national visa (Type D)
For stays beyond 90 days such as study or family reunification — a separate, non-tourist route handled by the Immigration Office.
Documents typically required
- ✓Passport issued within 10 years, valid 3+ months beyond return, with 2 blank pages
- ✓Schengen application form completed on the VisaOnWeb platform
- ✓Two recent passport photographs to Schengen/ICAO specification
- ✓Flight tickets and a day-by-day travel itinerary
- ✓Proof of accommodation in Belgium (hotel bookings, or an invitation letter from your host)
- ✓Cover letter stating the purpose and dates of your trip
- ✓Travel medical insurance covering the whole Schengen area for a minimum of EUR 30,000, including illness, accident, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation
- ✓Bank statements for the last 3–6 months and latest income-tax returns showing sufficient funds
- ✓Proof of employment or business, leave sanction where applicable, and evidence of ties to India
- ✓Biometrics (photograph and fingerprints) given in person at the VFS Global centre
Your exact checklist depends on your profile — we confirm it during your case analysis. Every visa decision rests with the embassy or consulate.
Applications from India are lodged at VFS Global centres in cities including New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Kochi, Pune, Jaipur and Jalandhar. Apply no earlier than 6 months and no later than 15 days before you travel. Biometrics are given in person, though fingerprints can be reused within 59 months. Beyond the EUR 90 visa fee (EUR 45 for children aged 6–12, free under 6), VFS Global adds a service fee of about INR 2,750.
Frequently asked questions
Do you guarantee the visa?
No. The decision always rests with the Belgian Embassy or Consulate, never with us. What we can do is give you a frank read on your profile and make the application as strong as it will go. Over the last 2–3 years our success rate has held at 97%.
How long does a Belgium Schengen visa take?
Usually about 15 days from the day you submit. If your file is referred to the Immigration Office in Brussels it can stretch to roughly 45, and the consulate decides both the timeline and the outcome. Lodge it at least 15 days before you travel.
Should I apply through Belgium or another Schengen country?
Through Belgium when it is your main destination — the country where you spend the most days. When no single country stands out, apply through the one you enter first. In India, VFS Global handles this for the Belgian Embassy in New Delhi (North and East India) or the Consulate General in Mumbai (West and South India).
Is travel insurance mandatory?
Yes. You need travel medical insurance valid across the entire Schengen area for at least EUR 30,000, covering accident, illness, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation, for the full duration of your trip.