Belgium Family and Friends Visit Visa

Use the family or friends visit purpose when the main reason of the trip is to see a person living in Belgium, whether a Belgian citizen, an EU citizen or a foreign resident. Spouses and children of EU citizens who are exercising free movement follow facilitated rules and pay no visa fee; spouses of Belgian citizens apply under the normal rules.

Besides the usual documents, add an invitation from your host stating the length of the stay, your relationship and the host's identity number, plus proof of family ties where relevant. Copies of the host's Belgian identity or residence card are commonly added.

The formal obligation (Annex 3bis) is signed by the host and legalised at the host's municipality in Belgium. The host must be solvent and, if not Belgian, hold a residence or settlement permit. The host becomes liable for your living costs, health care, accommodation and repatriation, for the stay and a limited period afterwards.

The legalised form must be presented within six months of the legalisation date. The consulate can still ask about your own resources.

The procedure is the same as for the tourist visa: Visa on Web form, then lodging in your country of residence at the competent Belgian mission or its service provider. The decision usually comes within 15 days (up to 45 days). The fee is EUR 90.

If you do not stay in a hotel or other lodging that registers guests, you must report your address to the municipality within three working days of arrival and receive a declaration of arrival (Annex 3). Since 10 April 2026 this can also be done online through the Immigration Office's "My Address in Belgium" service. Entering Belgium by air or sea outside an official border crossing point can lead to a EUR 200 administrative fine.

An extension is possible only for force majeure, humanitarian reasons or serious personal reasons. Apply at the municipality before your authorised stay ends, with a passport copy, the declaration of arrival, a letter explaining the reasons, supporting evidence and insurance of at least EUR 30,000 for the extra period. If the Immigration Office agrees, you receive either an extended declaration of arrival or a new visa at the FPS Foreign Affairs counter in Brussels; that visa is free for force majeure or humanitarian reasons and costs EUR 30 for personal reasons.

A refusal is notified on the standard EU form with the reasons ticked. Against Belgian short-stay visa decisions you can lodge an appeal with the Council for Alien Law Litigation, generally within 30 days of notification; the decision letter states the remedy. You may also file a new application with stronger documents, paying the fee again.