European countries are still the most popular places for Americans to visit abroad. The old continent keeps attracting tourists from all over the world with its beautiful mountains, landscapes, and historical places and monuments.
If you live in the United States and are unsure about the procedures you must need to follow to enter Belgium and other Schengen countries, this article will help you to how to get Belgium Schengen visa for US Green card holder? How to apply for it? What are the Belgium Schengen visa requirements? all other relevant information..
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Who can Apply for Belgium Schengen Visa from US?
You should find out that whether you need a visa to enter Belgium from the US or not before you book your flights and hotels in Belgium. You must remember that Belgium is an EU country which has very strict rules about who can enter in to Belgium. This guide will explain below if US citizens and people with a US Green Card need a visa to enter Belgium.
You can apply for a Belgium Schengen visa from the US, if:
- If you intend to visit only Belgium, then you need to apply at that Belgian embassy or consulate or any designated visa application center
- If you want to visit more than one Schengen country, then you need to apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate of the Belgium in which you will spend the most time of your whole trip.
- If you want to visit several Schengen countries but you are unsure about that where you will spend the majority of your time, or you are planning to spend equal amount of time in all Schengen countries. in that case if your entry country is Belgium, then you need to apply for Belgian Schengen visa at the embassy or consulate of the Belgium in which you enter through the first time.
Do US citizen need Belgium Schengen Visa?
Since Belgium is an EU country which is visa free country for US citizens. That’s why US citizens who has valid passport do not need a Belgium Schengen visa for short stays of up to 90 days every 180 days for visit Belgium or any other Schengen Area including Switzerland.
This is only valid for those who wants visit Belgium or any other Schengen nations for purposes like work, tourism, or airport transit. Please keep in mind that your passport has to be valid for at least six months after the date you enter Belgium or any other Schengen country.
If you are planning to visit Belgium or any other Schengen area for longer duration which is more than 90 days, Then you have apply for Belgium Schengen Visa.
Is Belgium Schengen visa for US Green card holders mandatory?
Yes, It’s mandatory to apply for Belgium Schengen visa to visit Belgium, but it’s completely depend on the on your country of origin. Some people will think that, by having US Green Card, they can travel without a visa, but it is not true. Visa-free travel to the Schengen Area is completely based on your home country.
For Example, let’s say that you are a US Green Card holder but you are basically from India. After that, you will have to get a Schengen Visa for Belgium. The reason is that people from India can’t visit Belgium or any other Schengen Area without a Schengen visa.
Belgium Schengen Visa Requirements for US Green Card Holder
Based on your home country you have to determine whether or not you need a visa to visit Belgium, let’s talk about the necessary visa required documents. Although US citizens do not need a Belgium Schengen visa to enter Belgium but you must have the proper required visa documents.
Before applying for a Belgium Schengen visa in the United States for Green card holders, you must need the following documents:
1. A Valid passport :
The authorities have issued it during the last ten years with a validity period that is at least three months longer than the applicant’s expected stay. Please make sure that your passport should have at least two blank pages facing each other for visas and stamps.
2. Two passport-sized Photographs:
You need to submit 2 recent photographs which should meet the Belgium Schengen visa photograph specifications.
3. Belgium Visa Application form:
duly completed, dated and signed
4. Proof of legal residence in the United States and a re-entry document:
Notarized copy or Original of a valid US permanent residence card ( US green card) or visa. The residency permit or visa issued by the United States should be valid for at least three months after the intended departure from the territory of the Member States.
5. Proof of travel Itinerary / Round trip flight tickets:
Flight reservations / Bookings (roundtrip) or other proof of your planned trip and travel itinerary.
6. Proof of accommodation:
you should provide proof that you have place to stay inn Belgium such as Evidence of hotel, hostel bookings or apartment rental proof or travel plans.
7. Proof of subsistence:
You will have to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds, which can cover your expenses during your stay. Typically, the following is required:
- Proof of Funds: You need to prove that you have access to a minimum of USD $115 per day per person for your stay in the Schengen area.
- Financial Documents: you need to show valid financial documents which is your bank statements for the last 3 months or your most recent credit card statement or Proof of regular income like pay slips or a letter from your current employer
Ensure you provide the necessary financial evidence to support your visa application.
8. Proof of travel/medical insurance:
If you need Schengen visa for Belgium, then you must have the right kind of travel or medical insurance before you can apply for a Belgium Schengen visa. If you are US citizen, and you don’t need Schengen visa to visit Belgium, So you don’t have to get travel insurance. However, it’s still a good idea to do so for your benefits.
9. Cover Letter:
When you plan to apply for a Belgium Schengen visa, you need to send one of the most important documents, which is a cover letter, also known as a visa letter.
10. Proof of Income
Depending on your employment or student status, you’ll need to provide specific documents to support your Sweden Schengen visa application:
- if you are an employee:
- Your most recent pay stub which shows the amounts for the month and the year;
- or your latest 6 month bank statements
- A letter from your current employer or a company which should state that your job title, start date and your yearly income and approved time off.
- Income Tax return Certificate.
- For self-employed:
- Copy of your company / business license;
- Proof of previous economic activity.
- Latest 6 month bank statement of your company
- company Income Tax return Certificate.
- For retired:
- proof of pension benefits or other regular and sufficient income
- Or Latest 6 month bank statement
- Financial dependent:
- Last joint Income Tax Return or joint bank statements
- Sponsorship Letter
- if you are minor:
- birth certificate and written consent of your parent / guardian
- Written permission from parents or guardians, notarized, to travel abroad.
- Parents or guardians sign the Belgium Schengen visa application form.
- One parent must be there, and the other parent must write permission for the application to be made in his or her place.
- If you are a Student or Researchers
- A certificate from the receiving institution / University by attesting to the duration and intent of the visit Belgium
- Certificate from Home institution / University on enrolment.
- If you are not staying in a hotel, then confirm your accommodations by providing the name, address, and phone number of the lodging facility.
- a letter which should states that all costs are covered, if applicable.
11. Supporting documents
- If you are visiting Family or Friends in Belgium
- Invitation letter: Invite letter from a friend or family member, along with a copy of their ID or residency permit. If the person is related to you, then you need include legal proof of family ties, such as birth certificates.
- Proof of confirmed accommodation: If you are not staying at any hotel or any hostel, then you need to submit name, address, and phone number of where you are going to live.
- If you are visiting for business purpose:
- A letter of invitation from the business partner
- reference letter proof from your current employer
- If you are not staying in a hotel, then confirm your accommodations by providing the name, address, and phone number of the lodging facility.
- a letter confirming that all costs are covered, if applicable.
What are the Types of Belgium Schengen Visa for US Green Card Holders?
- Belgium Transit Visa : You need to get a transit visa if you are stopping in one of Belgian’s airports for a short time.
- Belgium Tourist Visa : Whether you’re going to Belgium for holidays or vacation, to see the sights, or to see family and friends who live there. Then you can get a Belgian tourist visa for a maximum period of 90 days.
- Belgium Visitor visa : You can apply for visitor visa, if you are planning to visit your relatives or friends who is living in Belgium.
- Belgium Business visa : if you are going to be in Belgium for any business-related tasks or meeting clients, then you need apply for a Belgian business visa.
- Belgium Diplomat visa : you need diplomat visa for official visits by government officials or national groups.
- Belgium Medical visa : If you need medical visa, if you are planning visit Belgium for surgery or any kind of medical treatment in Belgium.
- Belgium Student Visa : if you are enrolling in a university in Belgium. Then you need to obtain a student visa or study visa.
- Belgium visa for Sports, Cultural or Film Crew : If you are planning to visit Belgium for attending a sport, cultural events or filming a movie, Then you must obtain a sports visa / cultural visa.
- Belgium Spouse Visa : If you have planned to visit Belgium to join your spouse who either is a citizen or has a work permit for.
Medical or Travel Insurance For Belgium Schengen Visa
You must have travel and medical insurance when you are applying for Schengen visa to visit Belgium. If you are a US citizen, you don’t need a Schengen visa to visit Belgium or any Schengen nations, you should still get travel insurance because medical costs can be high for tourists, especially since you will have to pay for any prescriptions.
In case, if you want to stay in Belgium for a longer duration, like with a Work or Student visa, then you must need health insurance instead of travel insurance.
If you want to apply for a Schengen visa for Belgium, you must ensure that your travel insurance meets the requirements given below:
- At least €30,000 in medical costs must be covered.
- It should cover all Schengen Area countries.
- Cover any costs that come up with sending someone back home for medical reasons.
Your insurance must also cover other countries that you plan to visit (if any) . Know more about insurance for Belgium Schengen visa here.
Flight Itinerary for Belgium Schengen Visa for US Green Card holders
It can be risky if you paid fully for your flight tickets before your visa is approved. Instead of that we help you to create dummy flight itinerary for your Belgium Schengen visa purposes, once your visa gets approved then you can pay for the actual flight tickets.
- Arrival and departure from the Schengen area
- Departure and arrival to the United States of America
You can know more about flight itinerary for Belgium Schengen visa.
Cover Letter For Belgium Schengen Visa
For Belgium Schengen Visa applications, the cover letter is a important part of the visa process, and learning how to write this cover letter correctly could affect how the visa application is accepted.
Cover letter is the only way to describe yourself, need to add the explanation about why you want to visit that country, as well as to communicate with the visa officers who are handling your application. It also help us to talk with consulate officials who are processing your Belgian visa application.
Please keep in mind that the Cover Letter has to be sent to the Belgian Embassy or Consulate which you intended to visit. In the Cover Letter for a Schengen Visa, you need to convivence the Consular officials that you are eligible to obtain Schengen visa for Belgium.
Know more about cover letter for Belgium Schengen visa.
How to Apply for Belgium Schengen Visa for US Green card Holders?
If you are Green card holder living in US and planning visit Belgium, then you should apply for Schengen visa to visit Belgium and other Schengen countries. So here are the few easy steps which explains about how to apply for Belgium Schengen Visa. Please follow the step and get your Belgian visa in easy way:
- First you need to decide what type of visa you are looking for to visit Belgium.
- Find out the nearest Belgian embassy or consulate
- Book your visa appointment. : https://visaonweb.diplomatie.be/en
- Download and fill the Schengen visa application form with correct details.
- Gather all your required documents for Belgium visa.
- Submit your Belgium Schengen visa application.
- Pay the visa application fee.
- Attend the interview at your nearest embassy or consulate at scheduled time without miss.
- Then wait for to receive your Schengen visa.
Where to apply for Belgium Schengen visa in US for Green card holders?
If you want to book your appointment for a Belgian visa in the United States, then you need to visit the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website and register using the Online Appointment System.
You can submit your necessary visa documents and application at the Belgian consulate. Based on your jurisdictions, you need to select your nearest Belgian consulates, which are given below.
- Apply for Belgium Schengen visa in Los Angeles
- Apply for Belgium Schengen visa in New York
- Apply for Belgium Schengen visa in Atlanta
- Apply for Belgium Schengen visa in Washington, D.C.
When to apply for Belgium Schengen visa in US?
Applicants has to apply for the Belgium Schengen visa minimum 2 week before, In some time in some extreme cases the visa application processing time may extend up to 60 days, in that case you need to apply for the Belgian visa maximum 6 months before based on the visa processing time which you can not predict. Visa processing tome is completely depends different factors, which has given below.
How long does it take for my Belgian Schengen visa to be Approved ?
The processing time for your Schengen visa application for Belgium usually takes up to 15 days. It may take longer duration in some situations like
- In case the number of Belgium visa applications is very high, visa processing may take up to 30 days.
- If any additional visa documents, it may take up to 45 days.
- In some extreme cases, visa processing time will be extended up to 60 days.
Belgium Schengen Visa Appointment from US
To apply for Belgium Schengen visa from US, you need to book your visa appointment to get your visa. you need schedule your appointment online. Based on your jurisdictions, you need to find out your nearest Belgian embassy or consulate in US, and schedule your visa appointment to get your Belgium Schengen visa..
Visa applicants need to create an account and schedule your visa appointment online: visaonweb.diplomatie.be.
Make sure to mail your application if you are planning to.
- Your visa application will be processed by the Belgian embassy or consulate.
- Always make sure that the Embassy or Consulate General is responsible of your area of residency receives your application via mail.
- Add a money order or verified cheque as payment.
On the day of your visa appointment, you have to carry all your necessary documents along with your Belgian visa application.
What happens on the day of the appointment for Belgium visa for Green card holders ?
Applicants need to apply for a Schengen visa must appear in person. The consulate officials will check all of your visa documents on the day of your visa appointment. Also your bio-metrics will be taken at the embassy or consulate.
During the visa application process, Applicants for passports will have their faces and fingerprints taken. People who are below the age of 12 or those whose fingerprints have been collected within the last 59 months do not need to duplicate them.
In the second situation, the applicants must go to the consulate / embassy and have their fingerprints taken again if they are not very good. A visa is not an assurance of entry into the Schengen area. All legal requirements must be fulfilled by the traveler.
The Consular officials might still invite you for a visa appointment interview if you have any additional questions regarding your visa application.
What is the fees for a applying for a Belgium visa in the United States for Green card holders?
Please check the given below Belgium Schengen visa fees:
- Short stay:
- The Belgium Schengen visa fee for short stay (C visa) for adults (above age 12 years) : $88.00
- The Belgium Schengen visa fee for Short stay for children between 6-12 years : $44.00
- The Belgium Schengen visa fee for short stay for nationals of Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cape Verde, Georgia, North Macedonia, Moldavia, Montenegro, Serbia, Ukraine: $38.50
What to do if my Belgium visa Denied?
It is very upsetting that to have your Belgium visa rejected. Belgium visa rejection can occur for many reasons. In such cases, you have two options: You can either reapply for a Belgium Schengen visa or send a letter of appeal.
Many visa applicants believe that an appeal letter is a second chance, but there is no assurance that your visa will be approved, filing an appeal may help in the visa approval process.
If you are confident that your application was submitted accurately and that the decision to deny it was mistaken, you may file an appeal. According to the Article 32(3) of the Visa Code of the Schengen Agreement, you have all the right to appeal the decision if you are visa is refused.