If you’re a student hoping to continue your schooling abroad in a place like Belgium, there are many chances for you to study in a top-notch educational system. Moreover, reasonably priced tuition services make it a more tempting place for those looking for essential education.
This article will help you inform the student visa requirements for Belgium.
Is getting a student visa easy or difficult in Belgium?
Yes, it is relatively easy to get a student visa in Belgium. All you need is to provide the required documents to the embassy or the consulate officials.
Some of these supporting documents include a valid passport, student visa application form, flight reservation document, proof that you can support yourself financially during your stay in Belgium. Therefore, this includes healthcare, living costs, educational expenses, and repatriation costs.
Brief History of Belgium
Belgium is situated in Western Europe and is known for its Renaissance architecture. The headquarters of the European Union and NATO are also located here. Belgians speak multiple languages, for instance, French, German, and Dutch in three distinct areas.
English is a widely spoken language in many regions of Belgium. As a result, numerous colleges and universities offer courses in the respective domain. On the other hand, the country is known for its outstanding healthcare, high quality living, and excellent education system.
Apply to a Belgian University and Get Your Acceptance Letter
If you want to start your visa process, the first step is to choose a Belgian university of your choice and submit your application before requesting a student visa. Next, when you get the acceptance letter, you can apply for a visa through the assistance of the embassy or consulate’s representatives.
How can a Pakistani student apply for a Belgian visa?
You need to consult the Belgian embassy or consulate when submitting a student visa from your home country.
For longer stay or visa in the targeted country, it is essential to seek the embassy at least two months before your departure. On the other hand, for a shorter stay, consult the officials three weeks before you leave your home place.
Language Proficiency Test
Furthermore, you need to provide evidence if you have sufficient knowledge in the language in which your academic course is taught. Consequently, you are not liable for a language assessment test if you are a native speaker or finished your previous studies in the same language.
However, if you claim that you know these languages, you have to pass the tests or diplomas for the enlisted lingos and get the following certificates.
- Dutch: Dutch NT2-II diploma
- German: DSH or TestDaF
- French: DELF or DALF
- English: IELTS and TOEFL (more popular) or PTE Academic and Duolingo
Documents Required for Belgian Student Visa
Again, you must supply the following documents when applying for a student visa for Belgium.
Is getting a student visa easy or difficult in Belgium?
Yes, it is relatively easy to get a student visa in Belgium. All you need is to provide the required documents to the embassy or the consulate officials.
Some of these supporting documents include a valid passport, student visa application form, proof that you can support yourself financially during your stay in Belgium. Therefore, this includes healthcare, living costs, educational expenses, and repatriation costs.
Student visa application form
- Fill in the student visa application form by providing information, for example, your name, date of birth, nationality, gender, current occupation, civil status, and intended stay in the Schengen area.
Diplomat Passport
- A valid diplomat passport is necessary for you to submit with other required documents. In fact, it acts as a proof of nationality and personal identity.
- The passport must be valid for at least one year after you reach Belgium.
- You need to attach your visa, therefore, the passport should have 2 blank pages.
Photos
- You need to attach two-recent passport-size pictures with colored and clear backgrounds.
- It would be best to let the professional photographer capture them, to avoid any potential rejections in your application process.
Health insurance
- It must be valid for the entire time span you stay in the Schengen country, Belgium.
- It is needed for any mishap or accidents during your stay in the desired country or in case, if you have asthma or any other chronic illness.
How much money is needed for a student visa in Belgium?
You must deposit €12350 for the entire academic year or €950 into the university bank account for each month of your short stay. The fee for renewing your visa or permit is reduced to €9600 for an academic year and €800 each month.
Proof of financial means
- You must provide factual documents proving that you can support yourself or your immediate family (if you have) related to the matters of healthcare, daily living, or educational costs.
- The average required amount is €666 or €670.
Proof of admission
- You need to provide evidence that you got admission in the desired university or college and they have accepted your application. You can do this by attaching the confirmation letter or email.
- This will help ease the visa application process.
Cover letter
- You need to provide a cover letter to the embassy officials to show your intended purpose to travel to the destined country, for instance, to pursue higher education and why you chose to study in Belgium etc.
- It also includes your flight number, the name of the university or college, or your place of stay in Belgium.
- This document is something personal and should depict your sole intentions.
Proof of English language proficiency
- You have to provide evidence that you know the English language to understand the academic course.
- TOFEL and IELTS are accepted with possibly good scores, therefore, you need to attach their certificates with the application form.
- Some universities do consider students with scores higher than average. Therefore, it is necessary to research thoroughly before proceeding with the application process.
Proof of non-criminal conviction
- If you are 21 years old or more, you have to prove that you don’t have any criminal record.
- This document will make the background check seamless for the embassy officials and inform them that you are a rightful citizen who stands by the laws and regulations of their home country.
Senior school certificate
- Submit a primary copy of this document to the embassy to help facilitate your visa application process.
How much of a gap is bearable in study in Belgium?
It mainly depends where you are applying, the study program, or the institution/department. Therefore, always make sure to research the respective university or department. However, it is permissible for the study gap to be 10 years, especially if you’re working during that time.
Flight reservation or Flight Itinerary
- A flight itinerary will help the embassy or the officials know about your arrival or departure time, flight number, scheduled flight, or airline name.
Travel insurance
- You need to attach your travel insurance document with your visa application as it covers various risks while traveling.
- It includes lost luggage, medical expenses, or flight cancellations, or any other mishaps a traveler can incur during the flight.
You need to contact the embassy or the officials if they ask you for some other additional documents. Usually, the Belgian student visa lasts for one or two years or depends on the course you’ve taken. If it expires, you can renew it till your program lasts.
