Basic Travel Requirements for Congoleses visiting
Belgium
Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to
apply for a Belgian Visa.
- A diligently filled visa application form.
- An International passport valid for at least 3 months after exiting Belgium.
- At least 2 blank pages should be free for visa stamp.
- Two passport-sized photographs that meet the Belgium visa application requirements.
- The passport must be the exact same pictures.
- Flight reservations and tickets.
- Proof of accommodation.
- Medical insurance with a minimum cover of €30,000.
- Proof of financial sustenance in Belgium.
- All documents should be either in English, French, Dutch or German.
- Travel/trip Itinerary.
- Proof of civil status as an incentive of return to Congo.
- Birth certificate and consent form for minor applicants.
- The visa fee is free for age 0 – 12, €35 for age 6 – 12, and €60 for age 12 and above.
Belgium Visa for Congoleses
Facts about Belgium
Belgium is a prime tourist site due to its historical landmark, modern architecture and rural idylls. Also, the country is visited by a lot of business tourists. The country is also famous for its long traditions in arts, fashion, and its cuisine. Tourists in the country can be guaranteed of a very good time as there are a lot of things to see all over the city and activities like hiking, biking and camping to engage in. While in the country, there are various festivals to attend at different periods throughout the year. Mussels, Balletjes, Stoemp, Waffles, and other special Belgian delicacies will leave you asking for more, be sure to try these cuisines out.
Tourism in Belgium has been on the up since 2009. The number of visitors who visited Belgium in 2009 was just over 12 million which increased to 16 million in 2017. It has been estimated that these numbers will continue to increase in the years to come. The tourism industry generates about 2.8% of Belgium’s gross domestic product and employs about 3.3% of the working population.
Foreigners are not allowed to enter or leave the country with more €10,000 or its equivalent in any currency. Avoid wearing expensive jewellery and watches as this may attract petty criminals to you.
Types of Belgium Visa
| Types of Visa | Processing Time | Duration of Stay |
|---|---|---|
| Business visa | 15 days | 90 days |
| Medical visa | 15 days | 90 days |
| Student visa | 15 days | 90 days |
| Tourist visa | 15 days | 90 days |
General Requirements for Belgium Visa
- A diligently filled visa application form.
- An International passport valid for at least 3 months after exiting Belgium.
- At least 2 blank pages should be free for visa stamp.
- Two passport-sized photographs that meet the Belgium visa application requirements.
- The passport must be the exact same pictures.
- Flight reservations and tickets.
- Proof of accommodation.
- Medical insurance with a minimum cover of €30,000.
- Proof of financial sustenance in Belgium.
- All documents should be either in English, French, Dutch or German.
- Travel/trip Itinerary.
- Proof of civil status as an incentive of return to Congo.
- Birth certificate and consent form for minor applicants.
- The visa fee is free for age 0 – 12, €35 for age 6 – 12, and €60 for age 12 and above.
Belgium Business Visa Eligibility &
Requirements
- Congolese who wish to travel to Belgium to carry out business activities are the eligible candidates for this visa.
- With this visa, you can meet up with partners in Belgium to negotiate and sign business contracts.
- One recent passport-sized photograph that is taken on a white background and meets the photo specifications is required.
- An original passport with a validity of not less than 3 months to the proposed date of departure must be submitted also.
- You will be required to submit a proof of travel insurance that has a minimum coverage of €30,000.
- Non-Congolese citizenes are to provide a valid residence permit.
- A letter of introduction from your company explaining its commercial activities, your position, and the purpose of the trip is needed.
- An invitation letter from the company in Belgium detailing the purpose of your visit and who will be sponsoring it is also important.
- This letter must be in either French, Dutch, German or English and must be written on the company’s letterhead.
- Proof of previous business relationship with the Belgian company is also needed for this visa application.
- Photocopy of memorandum and article of association of the Belgian company should be submitted.
- A copy of the business registration and trade license should be submitted as well.
- A letter from your employer stating awareness and allowance of your business travel for the duration of your stay is required.
- The purpose of your travel should be stated in the letter.
- You cannot seek public funds with this visa while in the country.
- You are expected to exit Belgium before the expiration of your visa.
- This visa is usually processed in about 15 working days so you should apply no later than 15 working days before the intended trip.
Belgium Medical Visa Eligibility &
Requirements
- The Belgian medical visa is for visa applicants who intend to seek and receive medical attention in Belgium.
- The applicant will need to present a medical report issued by a reputable hospital or clinic in Congo describing the applicant’s ailment.
- A recent medical certificate from a reputable medical practitioner stating that the treatment sought by the applicant can not be gotten in Congo is to be provided.
- One recent passport-sized photograph of a white background that meets the Belgium visa photograph requirements should also be submitted.
- Proof of travel insurance from a recognized insurance company with a minimum coverage of €30,000 is required.
- For non-Congolese citizens, a valid residence permit is to be submitted.
- Official confirmation of the appointment date of the treatment by the medical institution in Belgium is required.
- This confirmation must state how long the treatment will take and when the applicant will be leaving the country.
- Proof that the applicant has sufficient financial means to pay for their medical bills and other expenses that may arise throughout their treatment in Belgium should be also submitted.
- Proof of payment of medical fees is to be submitted.
- Documentation proving status either as an employee, student or business owner is important and must be provided.
- Minors must ensure they possess the original copy of their birth certificate and a letter of consent signed by both parents.
- This visa does not allow you to work while you are in Belgium.
- After your ailment has been completely treated, you are expected to leave the country.
- Holders are not allowed to take up permanent residence in the country.
Belgium Student Visa Eligibility &
Requirements
- This student visa is for Congolese students who wish to study in any Belgian learning institution.
- All official documents are to be legalized by the Congolese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Belgium.
- All documents submitted for this visa application must contain an original and 2 clear photocopies.
- Your passport must be valid for at least 15 months after the applicant’s exit from Belgium and it must have at least 2 blank pages for visa stamps.
- 3 recent passport-sized photographs are to be submitted for the application.
- Documentation showing that you have been accepted into an institution of learning in Belgium is required.
- Proof that the applicant satisfied the conditions for access to studying in Belgium is to be submitted.
- This proof could be academic results or previously obtained learning certificates and transcripts.
- As an international student, you will need to apply for a national long-stay visa which will allow you to stay longer than 90 days in Belgium.
- Applicants are to provide proof of travel insurance with a minimum coverage of 30,000 covering any medical emergency for the duration of their stay.
- A medical certificate stating that the applicant does not carry any diseases that may endanger public health (such as Tuberculosis and other diseases that may require quarantine)is also to be submitted.
- Proof of financial sustenance for the applicant’s entire stay in Belgium is needed.
- This proof could be a valid scholarship offer, recent bank statement, letter attesting sponsorship and a valid ID of the sponsor.
- An enrollment certificate allowing attendance of courses in Belgium is required.
- Holders of this visa can work part-time when school is in session and full-time when the school is on the break as long as it will not affect their studies.
- This visa can be extended to cover the duration of the applicant’s study in the country.
- Medical certificate issued not more than 6 months to the date of application is to be submitted for this application.
- A certificate of good conduct not more than 6 months to the date of the application is required to show that the applicant has not been convicted for any crimes.
- For minors, a letter of authorization signed by both parents and the original copy of their birth certificate should be presented.
Belgium Tourist Visa Eligibility &
Requirements
- This visa is for Congolese applicants traveling to Belgium for tourism, recreation, sightseeing and relaxation purposes.
- You can also visit friends and relatives with this visa.
- You can attend festivals and events while you are in Belgium.
- If you have a valid Schengen visa, you can visit Belgium too.
- The Belgium tourist visa is issued to applicants who intend to spend not more than 90 days in Belgium.
- An original passport valid for at least 3 months beyond your exit from Belgium is required for submission.
- You are to submit valid medical insurance which has a minimum coverage of €30,000 from an approved insurance company.
- Proof of accommodation is required for the applicant’s entire stay in Belgium.
- This proof could be an invitation letter from your host in Belgium which should have details of your trip, the home address and telephone number of your host in the country.
- With this visa, applicants are not to attend courses in any Belgian learning institution.
- A letter from your current employer in Congo is to be provided.
- This letter will be proof of your employer’s awareness of your trip.
- Non-Congolese are to present a copy of their Congolese stay permit.
- For minors, birth certificate and a letter of consent signed by both parents are required.
- Documentation showing that the applicant has the incentive of returning to Congo must be provided.
- Holders of the tourist visa are not to be paid for the services they render while they are in the country.
- During the applicant’s time in the country, they are not allowed to seek public funds.
- If the applicant is retired, proof of retirement funds should be presented.
- You should apply no later than 15 working days before the intended trip date.
- The visa is eligible for a stay of 90 days and is usually processed in about 15 working days.
Belgium Visa Fees
Business visa
60.00 (EUR)
Medical visa
60.00 (EUR)
Student visa
60.00 (EUR)
Tourist visa
60.00 (EUR)
Belgium Visa Application Centres & Embassies in
Congo
Pointe Noire
Nteta 320 Côte Sauvage Pointe Noire Brazzaville
brazzavile@diplbel.fed.be
(+242) 7776-8181 (+242) 7776-8212