Documents & Visa: how it works in Belgium — first-hand
Real experience of people from chats on «Documents & Visa» in Belgium — as it is, no fluff. For your case — ask Luky.
From real experience
For Schengen visa appointments in Belgium, it is advised to check the visa center's slot availability multiple times daily, as new slots can appear unexpectedly, even for imminent travel dates. However, processing times can be long, so immediate slot availability does not guarantee a quick visa decision.
Belgium does not issue tourist visas to Russian citizens; only highly bureaucratic non-tourist C and D visas are available. To visit Belgium, Russian tourists obtain Schengen visas from other countries (e.g., Spain, France). To avoid issues with the 'first country of entry' rule, travelers often fly through the issuing country (e.g., Moscow - Istanbul - Madrid - Brussels), although direct entry on another country's Schengen visa is occasionally successful. Visa processing for Spain takes at least 21 days, and slots are highly competitive before summer.
Schengen visa to Belgium for relatives: 1. Fee is 90 EUR. 2. Processing time is approximately 1 month. 3. Visas are mostly single-entry. 4. Free visa is only possible under Directive 2004/38 if the applicant is an EU citizen, applying outside their country of residence, and the relative is a dependent.
A Russian spouse of a non-EU citizen moving to Belgium for work can apply for a family reunification visa (D visa). Upon receiving this visa, the spouse can work in Belgium without being tied to a specific employer. It is recommended to apply for visas together if the main applicant (e.g., the husband) has not yet received their single permit. For entry into the Schengen Area with a D visa, the specific annotation on the visa sticker matters: 'Belgie' usually implies direct entry to Belgium, while 'Schengen staaten' allows entry via any Schengen country. While anecdotal evidence suggests some flexibility, direct entry to Belgium is the safest option if the visa specifies 'Belgie'.
Relocating elderly, non-EU dependent parents (pensioners) to Belgium via family reunification is extremely difficult. It requires proving full financial dependency and demonstrating compelling reasons why the parent cannot remain in their home country. A potentially simpler, though longer, route involves the sponsor first obtaining Belgian citizenship and then moving to another EU country, which might allow easier family reunification under EU Directive 2004/38.
To find a certified (sworn) translator in Belgium (traducteur juré / beëdigd vertaler), use the official Ministry of Justice register. Search query: 'Recherche d'un traducteur/interprète justice' (French) or 'Lijst van beëdigd vertalers/tolken' (Dutch). The registry allows filtering by language pair and postal code.
Schengen visa application guidelines for applicants born in the USSR: 1. Country of birth: Use 'USSR' if born before 1991, regardless of specific republic. 2. Place of birth: Copy exact text before the slash from the passport. 3. Address: Use registered (propiska) address instead of factual address to match official documents.
Changing surname after marriage in Belgium for Russian citizens involves: 1. Obtaining a 'certificate of possibility to change surname' and 'certificate of marital status' from the Russian Consulate (with references to the Russian Family Code). 2. Apostilling the Belgian marriage certificate. 3. Notarized translation of the certificate into Russian. 4. Updating all Russian IDs (passport, foreign passport, driver's license, insurance, tax ID). The process can take about 2 months and involves significant administrative overhead.
For family reunification in Belgium where the marriage occurs after the non-EU sponsor obtains a Single Permit:
1. Consular application (Visa D) outside Belgium: Real-world processing times average 4-6 months (contrary to official estimates of 9-15 months).
2. In-country application: The spouse can enter Belgium on a tourist visa and apply locally, provided they are already married. However, they cannot leave Belgium during the processing period, which takes 6-9 months until the residence card is issued.
For a short-term visa application in Belgium under EU Directive 2004/38 EC (for family members of EU citizens residing in Belgium), a specific certificate from the Russian ZAGS confirming the registration of a Georgian marriage in the Russian registry is generally not a required document by Belgian communes or DVZ. This document is largely unknown to the processing authorities and is unlikely to be requested, indicating it may not be necessary for the application process.
When preparing documents for official use in Belgium (such as birth certificates or parental consent forms), it is standard practice to attach translations directly to the original document rather than to a notarized copy. This approach minimizes costs and is generally accepted by authorities.
For Belgium family reunification visa applications involving a minor who is a Belgian citizen, consulates strictly require original documents. A scanned copy of the travel and residence consent from the second parent, even if issued by a commune, is often rejected. Applicants should provide the original document with official stamps/legalization to avoid rejection at the document submission stage.
For Russian citizens, direct visa issuance for Belgium is currently restricted. Recommended approach: apply for a Schengen visa via France, Italy, or Spain (France is currently preferred). Key rules: 1. The visa-issuing country should ideally cover 50%+ of the trip duration (in the itinerary). 2. Valid hotel bookings and return tickets are required for border entry. 3. Avoid long-duration requests (30+ days) for tourist visas; 14-20 days is safer. 4. Border officers may request proof of funds (cash in EUR is preferred as Russian-issued cards are not accepted). 5. Official '3bis' invitation to Belgium is only available for specific categories (e.g., non-annual residence permit holders inviting close relatives). 6. Moldova passport holders enjoy 90/180 visa-free access to Belgium.
Russian citizens can obtain work visas for Belgium. A standard work visa typically requires employment with a specific employer in Belgium, meaning the visa holder is obligated to work under the terms of their visa.
For obtaining a residence permit (VNJ) in Belgium, documents typically require translation into the local official language (Dutch, French, or German, depending on the region) by a *sworn translator in Belgium*. Translations done in other countries (e.g., Russia) or into English are often *not accepted* by local municipalities (gemeente), especially in smaller cities like Aalst. While English translations might be accepted for *visa applications*, local authorities for residence permits demand translations made by a certified translator within Belgium, bearing their official seal and signature. Costs can be substantial; examples mentioned include 12,000 for a single document or 55,000 for five documents, highlighting that this procedure is costly.
It is possible to enter Belgium using a newly issued Schengen visa from another country, even if it's your first entry with that visa. However, there are mixed experiences and potential risks. Some users report successful entries with single-entry visas from France and Italy, where border control primarily checked return tickets and did not pose significant issues. Others advise caution, stating that airlines might deny boarding, and border officials could question the entry, especially if Belgium was not declared as the primary destination in the visa application. To mitigate risks, it's recommended to have all hotel bookings and round-trip tickets readily available. Traveling by land from neighboring countries like France is also an option, though border checks can occur. While some consider direct flights with newly issued visas a gamble, having supporting documents and being prepared to explain your travel plans can improve the chances of a smooth entry.
The Ghent Floralies (Floraliën) is a recurring floral exhibition held in Ghent, Belgium. Users asking for travel recommendations in Belgium may be interested in this event, especially during the spring season. It is a major horticultural exhibition rather than a permanent site.
When traveling by high-speed train between Paris and Brussels within the Schengen Area, a valid Schengen visa is required. While border checks are infrequent on this route (estimated at 10-20% occurrence), passengers may be asked to present their passport with visa by officials on the train. Some budget train services (like Ouigo) might have even less frequent ticket or document checks. Always carry your valid Schengen visa and passport.
For family reunification under Directive 2004/38/EC in Belgium, specific documentation regarding the marriage certificate might be required by the commune. This can include a Russian registry office certificate confirming the registration of a marriage that took place in Georgia. Confirm whether apostille and translations are mandatory for such supporting documents. Anecdotal evidence suggests that in Wallonia, these might not be strictly necessary, but it's advisable to check local commune requirements. The process for spouses of EU citizens moving under the directive involves submitting proof of marriage, and sometimes additional certificates may be requested by the municipality.
To obtain Belgian citizenship, a minimum residency period of 5 years is typically required. Compared to some neighboring countries, Belgium's process is considered simpler, featuring clear deadlines, minimal bureaucracy, and a relatively low language proficiency requirement (A2). Belgium permits dual citizenship, meaning applicants are not legally required to renounce their previous nationality (e.g., Russian citizenship) when acquiring Belgian citizenship. However, some individuals may choose to renounce their previous citizenship for personal moral or ethical reasons, despite no legal obligation from Belgium.
For a Belgian short-stay visa for parents invited by a resident (Type A permit holders included), the '3bis' (Annex 3bis) financial support form is not strictly mandatory if the guests demonstrate their own financial solvency. Required proof includes: bank statements, proof of currency purchase (must be EUR), and employment certificates from Russia. These documents generally do not require translation into Dutch/French or apostilles for short-stay visa applications. The standard financial requirement is approximately 45 EUR per day per person. Electronic/scanned invitations with a signature are typically accepted.
After receiving a visa tracking number (which can take up to 2 months), it may take a few days for the tracking status to become available on the ibz platform. If after several days the ibz system still shows an error, it may indicate a delay in system updates or a potential issue with the tracking number itself.