Belgium Consulate Atlanta – 4 Easy Steps to Apply for Belgium Schengen Visa

There are plenty of exciting things to see and do in Belgium. Explore its cities and go in search of its cathedrals and palaces. Bustling markets and fascinating museums make for an interesting day out. Take a pleasant stroll along the canals, take a boat ride, or revel in the vibrant nightlife. Whatever you choose to do in this Schengen country, it’s guaranteed to stay with you for a long time. In this article learn more about how to apply for Belgium Visa at the Belgian consulate in Atlanta, Georgia, Belgium visa appointment booking, Processing time at the Belgium visa application center and Belgium Visa Application Process at the Atlanta consulate.

Schengen Visa

There were 231,437 Schengen visa applications received by consulates around the world in 2017. Of these, 16.01% were denied. The consulate of Belgium in Atlanta rejected 7 out of 524 applications.

Applying for Schengen Visa from the United States

If you are a not a US citizen by birth, but you permanently live in the US you need to apply for a visa to be able to enter Belgium. You have to make sure you apply at the right Belgian embassy and consulate.

The Consulate General of Belgium in Atlanta has its own jurisdiction, so you must live in one of the following areas to be able to apply at this particular consulate:

Alabama

Arkansas

North Carolina

South Carolina

Florida

Georgia

Kentucky (Except Campbell and Kenton counties)

Louisiana

Mississippi

Tennessee

Types of Schengen Visas Offered at the Consulate of Belgium in Atlanta

The Consulate General of Belgium in Atlanta offers visas for trips up to 90 days and over 90 days, so the one you apply for will depend on how long you are planning to go to Belgium for.

1. Schengen (short-stay) visa – up to 90 days
2. National (long-stay) visa – over 90 days

Have a look at the consulate’s website for further information regarding this.

Whichever visa you apply for, your reason for traveling will determine which category of visa you apply for:

1. Tourism
2. Business
3. Visiting family or friends
4. Cultural
5. Sports
6. Official visit
7. Medical reasons
8. Study
9. Transit
10. Airport transit
11. Other

You should choose the correct one before you start the application process. If you apply for the wrong visa and/or category your application may be denied.

Schengen visas can be issued as:

1. Single entry – Maximum of 1 entry
2. Double entry – Maximum of 2 entries
3. Multiple entry – Unlimited entries

National visas can be single entry or multiple entry only.

Schengen Visa Application Process at the Belgian Consulate in Atlanta

Before you begin, check the Belgian consulate’s website of the requirements for the type of visa you are applying for and what you need to do.

Once you’ve done that, step one is to book your appointment, using the consulate’s online booking system.

You must apply well before your planned trip. If you leave it too late, your visa may not be issued in time. You can apply between 90 and 15 days before your departure date. The consulate aims to process applications within 15 days and they advise applicants to submit their applications around 3 weeks before their trips.

Step 1: Make your appointment online

On the consulate’s website, click on: “Address and Opening Hours”:

Scroll down and click on: “visaonweb.diplomatie.be”

On the next page, you must create an account if you haven’t already, so click on: “Not registered yet”:

Next, key in your first name, last name, email address, and preferred language:

Once you’ve done that, you can make an appointment on a day and time that is suitable for you. If you cannot make your appointment, you must cancel it online or email the consulate to advise them.

Now, you should print the application form and complete it fully. Don’t forget to sign it! You can find this on the consulate’s website.

Making appointments with the embassy or visa application center is generally free and can be done yourself. However, If you are running short of time or not sure which consulate to apply to or have no idea on how to get this done yourself then not to worry, we will make the appointment for you for a small service fee!

Step 2: Get your documents ready

You should always check what is required by the consulate before you start this part of the application process. It is up to you to have everything when you hand over your application. Incomplete applications will not be processed. In addition, you must present both originals and photocopies of everything. Documents to get ready include:

1) A passport or official travel document issued in the last 10 years. It must also be valid for 3 months past your return to the US. Plus, it must have 2 free pages facing each other for the visa and stamps. (For some types of visa, your passport should be valid for 15 months after the trip)

2) 1 to 3 passport-sized color photographs. Check the consulate’s website for the number required for your application

3) Completed and signed application form for visa. Please note, you may have to provide 2 application forms. Again, check the consulate’s website for further information

4) Language form (in French, German, or Dutch). Choose one and indicate your preferred language. There is no English version, but the details you need to include are:

a. Indicate your name: full name as it appears on your passport (nom du demandeur, naam visumaanvrager, Name Visumbewerber)
b. Number of the file will be indicated by this office (numéro du dossier – dossiernummer – Aktenzeichen)
c. Indicate in what language you wish your file to be handled:

I. have no preference (geen voorkeur, pas de preference, keiner Sprache den Vorzug)
II. prefer French (français, Frans, französischer Sprache)
III. prefer Dutch (néerlandais, Nederlands, niederländischer Sprache)
IV. prefer German (allemand, Duits, deutscher Sprache)

d. Date the form (format: DAY MONTH YEAR (NOT: MONTH, DAY, YEAR)
e. Sign the form (no need to have it notarized)

5) Proof of legal residence in the US and re-entry document. This could be a valid US alien registration card or valid US resident visa. Documents must be valid for 3 months past trip

6) Confirmation of travel arrangements. Either a roundtrip flight reservation or other proof of transport and full itinerary

7) Hotel booking or travel plans/travel agency details

8) Invitation letter from friend or relative plus a copy of their ID OR letter of invitation from business partner stating nature of the business, reference letter from employer and confirmed accommodation OR enrolment letter for students and confirmation of length and purpose of stay

9) Proof of sufficient means of subsistence: bank statements x 3 or tax return if self-employed OR proof of retirement income OR proof of paid expenses for business applicants or students OR consent of parents for minors OR declaration of financial support if you do not have any form of income

10) Travel medical insurance with at least €30,000 to cover medical expenses, hospitalization, and repatriation

11) Birth certificate and/or marriage certificate

12) Nationwide criminal history check not older than 6 months

13) Medical certificate

14) US work permit

15) Confirmation of participation in events/activities

16) Self-addressed, pre-paid US express mail envelope (if you wish to have your passport mailed)

If you’re planning to obtain your flight reservation for visa without paying for the ticket, all you have to do is follow the 3 simple steps below:

1. Visit the Visa Reservation website to choose the right package
2. Submit the travel details and make the payment online
3. Receive flight itinerary in email

Step 3: Submitting your file

On the day of your appointment, you should arrive at the Belgian consulate in Atlanta. You must be on time for this, otherwise, your appointment may have to be rescheduled if you miss it. Have everything with you in order to submit your file and don’t dress too casually.

When the interview begins, the staff may ask you extra questions to determine whether they should grant your visa for Belgium. Don’t worry if this happens, just answer the questions to the best of your ability. Typical interview questions could be:

1. Where have you traveled previously to the Schengen zone?
2. How will you pay for this trip?
3. Are you married?
4. Will you be working there?
5. How much do you earn?

Don’t jeopardize your Schengen visa interview at the last minute. Use this comprehensive and thorough visa interview guide to crack the visa interview!

There are fees for visas and you will pay this when you are at the consulate. You can pay by certified check or money order only. This should be made payable to the Consulate General of Belgium. The fee won’t be refunded even if your application is denied.

Schengen Visa Fee

If you are applying for a Schengen visa for the first time, you will have to provide biometric data, which involves a scan of your fingerprints. However, if you have done this within the last 5 years, your data can be re-used.

Step 4: Receiving your visa

When a decision has been made on your application, you will be notified that you can either collect your passport or have it mailed back to you. If you choose to have it mailed, you must provide a self-addressed, pre-paid envelope.

You should find your Belgian visa attached to your passport, but if you have failed to satisfy the requirements it could have been rejected. Reasons why visa applications get rejected are:

1. Missing paperwork
2. Documents not signed
3. No proof of accommodation
4. Lack of funds
5. Passport damaged
6. Purpose of travel not clear

You must make sure your passport is not damaged in any way and it is valid for 3 months past your return date and issued within the last 10 years. If not, you need to get a new one before applying for your visa. Submit all the required documents to the consulate, tell them clearly why you wish to travel and that you have the sufficient means to pay for your travel. If you do all this, then you shouldn’t have any problems.

Contact detail for the Belgian Consulate in Atlanta

Address: 230 Peachtree Avenue NW, Suite 2250, Atlanta, GA 30303

Email: atlanta@diplobel.fed.be

Tel: +1 404 659 2150

Fax: +1 404 659 8474

Hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00 am – 12.30 pm and 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm

Conclusion

All in all, it’s a fairly simple process to apply for your Belgian Schengen visa. All you need to do is:

1. Book an appointment online
2. Get your documents ready
3. Submit your application
4. Receive your visa

After that, you’ll hopefully receive your visa and be able to prepare for the next step – jetting off to Belgium!

At Visa Reservation, we strive to simplify the visa process by providing free visa consultations, cover letter templates and no objection letter templates for our clients from US, UK, Canada, Philippines, India, China, UAE, Europe, Nigeria and globally. We also offer flight itinerary for visa, travel medical insurance, hotel reservations for visa , Book Visa Appointment, Travel Guides, Visa Interview Guides and many more. To learn more about how we can help you with our visa services, please feel free to contact us today.

See Also

How To Apply for Belgium Schengen Visa at Belgian Consulate in Los Angeles, California
How To Apply for Belgium Schengen Visa at Belgian Consulate in NYC, New York