Belgium Embassy Washington DC – 4 Easy Steps to Apply for Belgium Schengen Visa

With thriving cities, traditional villages, green valleys and impressive forests, Belgium is an intriguing Schengen country to visit. A good climate all year round means that whenever you visit, you’ll have the choice of outdoor sports like hiking, canoeing, or rock-climbing. Or if culture is your thing – plenty of museums, art galleries, palaces and castles to explore. There is something for everyone in this popular destination. In this article learn more about how to apply for Belgium Visa at the Belgian embassy in Washington DC, Belgium visa appointment booking, Processing time at the Belgium visa application center and Belgium Visa Application Process at the Washington DC embassy.

Schengen Visa

With 231,437 Belgium Schengen visa applications, this country was the 16^th most popular European country to visit last year. Just over 16% of this number was denied. The Embassy of Belgium in Washington received 904 applications and rejected just 13.

Applying for Schengen Visa from the United States

If you are a US citizen and you wish to go to Belgium as a tourist or on business up to 90 days or you are transiting through a Belgian airport on the way to your final destination, you do not need a visa.

However, if you are not a US national but you live in the US on a permanent basis, you must apply for a visa to be able to enter the country.

You have to make sure you apply at the right Belgian embassy and consulate. To be able to apply at the Embassy of Belgium in Washington you must live within its jurisdiction of the District of Columbia and the states of Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.

Types of Schengen Visas Offered at the Belgian Embassy in Washington DC

Generally, there are 2 types of visas for entry into Belgium. The one you apply for will depend on 2 things:

1. How long you are going
2. Why you are going

Visas valid for short-stays, up to 90 days, are called Schengen visas and these can be for the purposes of tourism, business, visiting family or friends, and studying etc. Schengen visas are issued as single, double, or multiple entry which means you can enter the country as many times as the visa allows.

Visas valid for longer stays, over 90 days, are called National visas and these can be for the purposes of employment, residence, studying etc. These visas are issued as single or multiple entry.

So you know which type of visa to apply for, check the Embassy’s website for further information and the requirements for each type of visa. You should do this before you do anything else because it’s up to you to apply for the correct one.

Schengen Visa Application Process at the Belgian Embassy in Washington DC

Once you are happy with which visa you are applying for, follow the steps laid out here to make the process as easy as possible for you.

It is important to allow enough time for processing your visa application. The Embassy usually takes around 15 days to process, but this could take longer depending on the type of visa you are applying for. Late applications might not be done in time, so it’s up to you to take account of this. You can apply any time from 90 days to 15 days before your trip.

With that in mind, the first step is to make an appointment in order to submit your application to the Embassy.

Step 1: Make your appointment online

Go to the Embassy’s website and click on: “Visa for Belgium”:

On the next page, choose the category that you belong to. This will be the reason why are you going to Belgium:

Then, scroll down the page to the information on where to apply and click on: visaonweb.diplomatie.be under the Embassy in Washington DC:

You will be directed to the Embassy’s booking system for making appointments:

You will need to create an account before you log in:

When you have done that, you will be able to make an appointment which is convenient for you to visit the Embassy.

If you make your appointment and are no longer able to make it for any reason, you should cancel it online or by email to tell the Embassy you are not coming.

You can also complete your application for your visa once you have registered on the Embassy’s system. Don’t forget to print and sign it!

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

Before you start preparing the supporting documents that you will need for your visa, check the Embassy’s website for these requirements. It is your responsibility to get this part right because the Embassy will not accept incomplete applications.

In addition, you must provide both originals and photocopies of everything. Documents to get ready include:

1) Passport not older than 10 years and valid for 3 months longer than your trip. It must also have 2 free pages for the visa to be attached. Please note, for some types of visa, your passport should be valid for 15 months after the trip

2) 1 to 3 passport-sized color photographs. Have a look at the Embassy’s website to find out how many you need for your type of visa

3) Application form for visa fully completed and signed. For some types of visa, you need to provide 2 original application forms. Check the Embassy’s website for clarification

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) Valid US alien registration card or valid US resident visa including permission to re-enter. Must be valid for 3 months past trip

6) Roundtrip flight reservation or other proof of transport and full itinerary

7) Hotel reservation and/or travel plans or travel agency details

8) Invitation letter from a friend or relative plus a copy of their identification

9) Letter of invitation from business partner stating nature of the business and/or reference letter from employer and proof of confirmed accommodation

10) Enrollment letter for students and confirmation of length and purpose of stay

11) Proof of financial sufficiency – Bank statements x 3/tax return OR proof of pension income OR proof of paid expenses OR parental consent OR proof of financial support for those with no income

12) Travel medical insurance for a minimum of €30,000 to cover medical expenses, hospitalization, and repatriation

13) Birth certificate and/or marriage certificate

14) Recent nationwide criminal history check

15) Medical certificate

16) US work permit

17) Confirmation of participation in any type of event or activity

18) Self-addressed, pre-paid US express mail envelope (if applicable)

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

When your appointment day arrives, remember the following things:

1. Arrive at the Embassy early
2. Remember to take everything – including your photocopies and fee
3. Dress appropriately

When your interview begins, the visa staff will review your application and if they want to confirm anything, they may ask you extra interview questions like:

1. Is this your first time to Belgium and the Schengen area?
2. Are you meeting anyone there?
3. What’s your salary?
4. Do you have any children? If so, what is their salary?
5. What are your plans in Belgium?

Don’t let this put you off, the Embassy is only trying to satisfy themselves that you are an honest person who has genuine plans for travel. Just answer the questions honestly.

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

You will have to pay the fee for your visa. You can pay this by credit card, certified check or money order payable to the Embassy of Belgium in Washington DC. The fee is non-refundable even if your application gets refused.

Schengen Visa Fee

If you are applying for a Schengen visa for the first time, you must provide a scan of your fingerprints and a digital photograph. However, if you have provided this biometric data within the last 59 months the data can be re-used.

If you have provided this data within the past 5 years and it can be retrieved from the Visa Information System (VIS) it may be possible to send your application by mail or courier. If this applies, you must send the application form completed from the Embassy’s online system along with the required supporting documents. Check the Embassy’s website for further information.

Step 4: Receive your visa

Before long, you will receive notification from the Embassy that a decision has been made on your visa application. You’ll have the option of collecting your passport from them or having it returned to you via UPS or USPS in the envelope you provided.

Hopefully, you’ll find your Belgian visa in your passport, but it may have been rejected for a number of reasons which include:

1. Application has not been signed
2. Invalid passport
3. Damaged passport
4. Embassy cannot establish a clear reason for travel
5. No invitation letter
6. No employer’s letter

If your passport is damaged in any way, such as missing pages and it is not valid as per the date requirements, you must obtain a new one before applying for your visa. You must provide all necessary documents that are required for your application, such as an employer’s letter and an invitation letter, because without them the Embassy cannot make an informed decision about your application. Plus, you must make it clear to them why you wish to travel – either at your interview or with evidence in the documents you provide or both.

Contact details for the Embassy of Belgium in Washington DC

Address: 3330 Garfield Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008

Email: Washington@diplobel.fed.be

Tel: +1 202 333 6900

Fax: +1 202 338 4960

Hours: Monday to Friday, 9.30 am – 12.00 pm

Conclusion

In summary, all you need to do to apply for your Belgium Schengen visa at the Embassy in Washington is:

1. Make an appointment online and complete your application form
2. Get your documents ready
3. Submit your file to the Embassy
4. Receive your visa

4 very easy steps to follow and you’ll soon be on your way 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
How To Apply for Belgium Schengen Visa at Belgian Consulate in Atlanta, Georgia