Belgium visa requirements for Ivorians

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for Ivorians visiting Belgium

Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to apply for a Belgian Visa.

  • A completed visa application form.
  • An original Ivory Coast international passport valid for at least 3 months after exiting from Belgium. Your passport should have at least two blank pages for visa stamps.
  • Two identical passport-sized photographs with a white background that meet the Belgium visa photo specification.
  • Flight reservation for Belgium and return ticket to Ivory Coast
  • Ticket to a third country if you're not returning to Ivory Coast is required.
  • Proof of accommodation which could be a hotel reservation or an invitation letter from your host in Belgium.
  • Valid medical insurance with a minimum cover of €30,000.
  • Proof of financial sustenance in Belgium.
  • All documents should either be in English, French, Dutch or German.
  • A cover letter detailing the purpose and duration of your trip.
  • You will be required to provide proof of civil status to show you have the incentive to return to Ivory Coast.
  • A letter of no objection from the appropriate authority is also needed. This could be a letter from your employer if employed or your school if you're a student.
  • Minors are required to submit their original birth certificate along with a consent form signed by both parents.
  • This visa costs €60 for 12 years and above, €35 for children between 6-11 and is free for children under 6.

Belgium Visa for Ivorians

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
Tourist visa within 15 days 90 days
Work visa within 15 days Depends on employment duration
Student visa within 15 days Depends on Employment duration

General Requirements for Belgium Visa

  • A completed visa application form.
  • An original Ivory Coast international passport valid for at least 3 months after exiting from Belgium. Your passport should have at least two blank pages for visa stamps.
  • Two identical passport-sized photographs with a white background that meet the Belgium visa photo specification.
  • Flight reservation for Belgium and return ticket to Ivory Coast
  • Ticket to a third country if you're not returning to Ivory Coast is required.
  • Proof of accommodation which could be a hotel reservation or an invitation letter from your host in Belgium.
  • Valid medical insurance with a minimum cover of €30,000.
  • Proof of financial sustenance in Belgium.
  • All documents should either be in English, French, Dutch or German.
  • A cover letter detailing the purpose and duration of your trip.
  • You will be required to provide proof of civil status to show you have the incentive to return to Ivory Coast.
  • A letter of no objection from the appropriate authority is also needed. This could be a letter from your employer if employed or your school if you're a student.
  • Minors are required to submit their original birth certificate along with a consent form signed by both parents.
  • This visa costs €60 for 12 years and above, €35 for children between 6-11 and is free for children under 6.
Belgium Tourist visa Belgium Work visa Belgium Student visa

Belgium Tourist Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The tourist visa is for Ivorian nationals traveling to Belgium for recreation, sightseeing and relaxation purposes. This visa allows you to visit friends and relatives in the country.
  • You can also attend festivals and events while you are in Belgium.
  • With a valid Schengen visa, you can visit Belgium. 
  • If you apply for a Belgian tourist visa, you are a Schengen visa holder; but before transiting to other Schengen countries with the Belgian tourist visa, you have to visit Belgium first.
  • The Belgium tourist visa is issued to applicants who intend to spend not more than 90 days in Belgium.
  • Hotel reservations or an invitation letter from your host in Belgium to serve as proof of accommodation is needed. The invitation letter should have details of your trip as well as the home address and telephone number of your host.
  • With this visa, you cannot be a student in any of the schools in Belgium.
  • If employed, a letter of no objection from your current employer in Ivory Coast is required. This letter will serve as proof that your employer is aware of your leave of absence for the duration of your trip.
  • For students who want to travel as tourists, they are to get a letter from their school.
  • People of Ivory Coast who are on the Belgian or other country's Schengen visa, you are not liable to take up paid employment while in Belgium or other Schengen countries with this visa.
  • During your time in the country, you are not allowed to seek public funds.
  • If you are retired, proof of retirement funds should be presented.
  • The visa is eligible for a stay of 90 days and is usually processed in about 15 days.
  • This visa costs €60 for 12 years and above, €35 for children between 6-11 and is free for children under 6.
  • All the documents that Ivorian citizens will present when applying for a Belgian visa, must be translated to English.

Belgium Work Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This visa is meant for Ivory Coast people who are visiting Belgium to work there.
  • Unlike tourist and business visa holder, they are entitled to receiving payment for the job done during their time in the country.
  • The Applicant's employer in Belgium should provide a letter of invitation stating that you have been employed in his/her company.
  • As a work visa is regarded as a long-stay visa term, you need to apply for a work permit while applying for this visa. This work permit could be applied for by your employer.
  • There are three types of work permit in Belgium:
    • C permit which is valid for all professions and all employers. It is valid for a limited time and must be renewed yearly.
    • B permit which is valid for one employer and runs for one year, after which it can be renewed (by the same employer, usually for the same job or job classification). If you change employers, your new employer must apply for a new B permit. You may find that you have to return to Ivorian nationals and re-apply for a residence visa before you can start your new job! Once you have renewed a B permit four or more times, i.e. have lived and worked in Belgium for four years on the same permit, you will get an unlimited A permit.
    • An A permit allows you to work for any employer in Belgium for an unlimited period of time. These permits are issued only to foreigners that have lived and worked in Belgium for four years on a B permit and those with ten years of uninterrupted legal residence in the country.
    • The B permit is the standard form of work permit for most foreigners.
  • You must give your potential employer a certificate of good health and three passport-size photos, which he then submits along with a copy of the proposed employment contract to the Ministry of Labour in Belgium.
  • Before issuing the work permit, the Ministry of Labour must confirm that there’s no Belgian or other EU national who can fill the position and they may send the employer candidates for the job from their lists of Belgians drawing unemployment benefit.
  • In the case of managerial positions, the permit is usually granted with little or no question. It can take up to 12 weeks for a B permit to be granted.
  • If you are traveling with your spouse, your original marriage certificate should be provided during the visa application process.
  • This visa does not allow you to study in the country.
  • You are required to obey all the rules of this visa during your time in the country.
  • The processing time for this visa is usually 15 days.
  • This visa costs €60 for 12 years and above, €35 for children between 6-11 and is free for children under 6.

Belgium Student Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The Belgium student visa is for Mauritanian students who aim to study in a Belgian learning institution.
  • Documents submitted for this visa application must contain original and 2 clear photocopies for application.
  • To be eligible for this visa, Mauritians are required to present documents showing that they have been offered admission into an institution in Belgium is required.
  • Foreign nationals must show proof that they satisfy the conditions for access to studying in Belgium. This proof could be academic results or previously obtained learning certificates.
  • The student visa is a national long-stay visa which allows you to stay longer than 90 days in Belgium.
  • A medical certificate not older than 6 months and stating that you do not carry any infectious diseases or diseases that require quarantine is required.
  • Proof of financial sustenance for the 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 your sponsor.
  • All the documents that Mauritania will present when applying for a Belgian visa, must be translated to English.
  • An enrollment certificate allowing attendance of courses in Belgium is required.
  • Holder of this visa can work part-time when school is in session and full-time when the school is on a break as long as the work does not affect his/her studies.
  • This visa can be extended to cover the duration of your study in the country.
  • A certificate of good conduct not older than 6 months to the date of the application is required to show you've not been convicted for any crimes. 
  • The visa like other Schengen student visas costs €180 and is usually processed in 15 days.
  • Belgium has a consulate in Nouakchott which Mauritanians cannot apply for a Belgian student visa but do not have embassy in Mauritania.

Belgium Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Tourist visa

60.00 (EUR)

Work visa

180.00 (EUR)

Student visa

180.00 (EUR)

Belgium Visa Application Centres & Embassies in Ivory Coast

Location

Address

Abidjan

Embassy of Belgium in Abidjan, Cocody Ambassades, Rue du Bélier, Rue A56 01 Abidjan Côte d'Ivoire

Abidjan@diplobel.fed.be

+225 22 48 33 60,

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Belgium big as a country?

Belgium is a small country situated on the western coast of Europe, and Its capital is Brussels, which also serves as the country's largest city. 

Is it safe to travel to Belgium?

Belgium is very safe with a low crime rate, but some cities are known to be rough and have some dangerous parts. However, make sure you have a safe trip in Belgium and be aware of all potential dangers.

What is the currency of Belgium?

The Belgian franc was the currency of the Kingdom of Belgium from 1832 until 2002 when the Euro was introduced.

What is the official language of Belgium?

Dutch and French are the official languages spoken by major population of the country