Belgium Student Visa 2027: Requirements and Steps

The Belgium Student Visa

Belgium is a great choice for studying abroad, with high-quality universities, reasonable tuition fees, and Brussels as the heart of the European Union. You can study in English, French, Dutch or German, and many master’s programmes are taught fully in English. If you are not from the EU, your first step is to get admitted to a recognised Belgian university, and then apply for a student visa. Once you arrive, your student residence permit is valid for up to one academic year at a time and can be renewed until you finish your studies.

Types of Belgium Student Visas

Belgium has two main types of student visa. A short-stay Schengen visa, called a type C visa, is for short courses of up to 90 days, such as summer schools, workshops or language courses, and it usually cannot be extended. For a full degree or any study longer than 90 days, you need a long-stay national visa, called a type D visa. With a type D visa, you register in Belgium, receive a student residence card, and can later look for work in Belgium after graduating.

Steps to Get a Belgium Student Visa

First, get your admission or enrolment letter from a recognised Belgian higher education institution. Next, pay the contribution fee to the Belgian Immigration Office, and fill in the online visa application on the official VisaOnWeb website. Then gather your documents, including your passport, admission letter, proof of funds, health insurance, a medical certificate and a police certificate if you are 18 or older, with legalisation and translations where required. Book an appointment at the Belgian embassy, consulate or visa centre in your country, because you cannot apply without one, and be ready to answer questions about your study plans. After you arrive, register at your local municipality within eight working days to receive your residence permit.

Costs and Proof of Funds

For the 2026–2027 academic year, you must show at least EUR 1,062 net per month to support yourself, which is EUR 12,744 for a full year. You can prove this with a blocked bank account opened by your university or an approved provider, a scholarship certificate, or a formal sponsorship form (annex 32) signed by a guarantor with enough income. Scholarships for international students can also help cover part of your costs. On top of this, you pay the long-stay visa fee and the Immigration Office contribution fee, so check the current amounts before you apply.

Working With a Student Visa

With a Belgian student permit, you can work up to 20 hours a week during term, as long as work does not affect your studies, and without a weekly limit during school holidays. You don’t need a separate work permit for this. After graduating, you can apply to stay in Belgium for up to 12 months to look for a job or start a business. If you find a job, you can then apply to change your status to a work permit.

Check if you qualify for a Belgian student visa →