Belgium visa requirements for Rwandans

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for Rwandans visiting Belgium

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

  • Completed visa application form.
  • An original passport valid for at least 3 months  after exit from Belgium. It should have at least two blank pages for visa stamps.
  • Two identical passport sized photographs that meet the Belgium visa photo specification.
  • Flight reservation for Belgium and return ticket to Rwanda.
  • Proof of accommodation which could be hotel reservation or an invitation letter from your host in Belgium.
  • Medical insurance with 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 which gives details about your trip.
  • You'll be required to provide proof of civil status to show you have incentive to return to Rwanda. This could be marriage certificates, birth certificate of children or letter from employer in Rwanda.
  • 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 Rwandans

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 15 working days 90 days
Business visa 15 working days 90 days
Medical visa 15 working days 90 days
Official visa 15 working days 90 days
Student visa 15 working days more than 90 days
Transit visa 15 working days 5 days

General Requirements for Belgium Visa

  • Completed visa application form.
  • An original passport valid for at least 3 months  after exit from Belgium. It should have at least two blank pages for visa stamps.
  • Two identical passport sized photographs that meet the Belgium visa photo specification.
  • Flight reservation for Belgium and return ticket to Rwanda.
  • Proof of accommodation which could be hotel reservation or an invitation letter from your host in Belgium.
  • Medical insurance with 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 which gives details about your trip.
  • You'll be required to provide proof of civil status to show you have incentive to return to Rwanda. This could be marriage certificates, birth certificate of children or letter from employer in Rwanda.
  • 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 Business visa Belgium Medical visa Belgium Official visa Belgium Student visa Belgium Transit visa

Belgium Tourist Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This visa is for Rwandans travelling to Belgium for 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. 
  • The Belgium tourist visa is issued to applicants who intend to spend not more than 90 days in Belgium.
  • Original passport valid for at least 3 months beyond your exit from Belgium is needed for this visa application.
  • You are to submit a valid medical insurance which has a minimum coverage of €30,000 from an approved insurance company.
  • Proof of accommodation is required. 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, you cannot be a student in any of the schools in Belgium.
  • A letter from your current employer in Rwanda is required. This letter will serve as proof of your employer being aware of your leave of absence for the duration of your trip.
  • Non-Rwandans are to present a copy of their Rwandan stay permit.
  • For minors, birth certificate and a letter of consent signed by both parents is required. 
  • Documentation showing you have the incentive of returning to Rwanda is important.
  • Holders of the tourist visa are not paid for the services they render while they are in the country.
  • 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.
  • 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 Business Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This visa allows Rwandans carry out business activities in Belgium.
  • With this visa, you can meet up with partners in Belgium to negotiate and sign business contracts.
  • One recent passport sized photograph that's taken on 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.
  • You'll be required to submit a proof of travel insurance that has a minimum  coverage of €30,000.
  • Non-Rwandans are to provide a valid residence permit.
  • A letter of introduction from your company explaining its commercial activities, your position and purpose of trip is needed.
  • An invitation letter from the company in Belgium detailing the purpose of your visit and who's sponsoring it is also important. This letter must be in either French, Dutch, German or English and must be written on 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 licence 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 intended trip date.

Belgium Medical Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This medical visa is for applicants who intend to receive medical attention in Belgium.
  • You'll need to present a medical report issued by a hospital in Rwanda describing your ailment.
  • A recent medical certificate from an approved medical practitioner detailing that the requested care isn't available in Rwanda is needed.
  • One recent passport sized photograph taken on a white background and meeting the Belgium visa photo specifications is required for this application.
  • Proof of travel insurance from a recognized insurance company with a minimum coverage of €30,000 should be submitted.
  • For non-Rwandans, a valid residence permit is to be provided.
  • An official confirmation of the appointment of treatment by the medical institution in Belgium is required. The confirmation should be accompanied by the likely duration of the treatment.
  • Proof that the applicant has sufficient financial means to pay for medical bills and other expenses that may arise throughout their treatment should be submitted. 
  • If the medical institution requires advance payment, you'll need to show proof that you've made such payment.
  • Documentation proving status either as an employee, student or business owner is important. 
  • 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 Official Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This visa is for Rwandan diplomats visiting Belgium for official purposes.
  • A diplomatic note from the Rwandan government is required for this visa application. The note should contain your status in government, duration, as well as the purpose of your visit to Belgium.
  • An original invitation letter from the Belgian government is needed.
  • Those who are eligible for this visa are Heads of States, Consular officers, ministers, and African Union representatives.
  • As a diplomat, if the purpose of your visit to the country is non-official, then you are not entitled to this visa. Only Heads of States can visit the country for whatever purpose with the official visa.
  • For minors, they'll be required to present their birth certificate and a consent form signed by both parents.
  • You are permitted to attend meetings and conferences while in Belgium.
  • Proof of the purpose of the journey is required for this visa application. This proof could be documents attesting to negotiations, events by intergovernmental organizations, meetings and consultations.
  • Holders of this visa are not allowed to take up a course of study or be paid for services they render while in the country.
  • Diplomats are required to present a valid means of identification.

Belgium Transit Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • Rwandans intending to make short stops in Belgium to a non Schengen country need this visa.
  • This visa allows Rwandans to alight from an airplane in a Belgian airport and board another flight going to their final destination.
  • Flight ticket of your destination country is required for this visa application.
  • You must provide the visa of your destination country.
  • Minors are required to present their birth certificate and a signed letter of consent from their parents.
  • You are not allowed to study or take up paid employment while in the country.
  • Proof that you have the incentive to return to your country after the expiration of your visa is needed.
  • The transit visa is valid for 5 days and cannot be extended.
  • You are required to exit the country before your visa expires.

Belgium Student Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The student visa is for students who aim to study in a Belgian learning institution.
  • All official documents are to be legalized consecutively by the Rwandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the embassy of Belgium.
  • All documents submitted for this visa application must contain original and 2 clear photocopies for application.
  • Your passport must be valid for at least 15 months and 2 blank pages for visa stamps.
  • 3 recent passport sized photographs are needed for the application.
  • Documentation showing that you've been accepted into an institution in Belgium is required.
  • You'll also need to show proof that you satisfy the conditions for access to studying in Belgium. This proof could be academic results or previously obtained learning certificates.
  • As an international student, you’ll need to apply for a national long-stay visa which allows 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 you don’t carry any diseases that may endanger public health (such as TB, diseases that require quarantine and other infectious diseases) is also 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.
  • An enrollment certificate allowing attendance of courses in Belgium is required.
  • You can work part-time when school is in session and full-time when the school is on break as long as it doesn't affect your studies.
  • This visa can be extended to cover the duration of your study in the country.
  • Medical certificate issued not more than 6 months to the date of application is important for this application.
  • A certificate of good conduct not more than 6 months to the date of the application is required to show you've not been convicted for any crimes. 
  • For minors, a letter of authorization signed by both parents and the original copy of your birth certificate should be presented.
  • The visa costs €180.

Belgium Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Tourist visa

60.00 (EUR)

Business visa

60.00 (EUR)

Medical visa

60.00 (EUR)

Official visa

0.00 (EUR)

Student visa

180.00 (EUR)

Transit visa

60.00 (EUR)

Belgium Visa Application Centres & Embassies in Rwanda

Location

Address

Kigali

KN3 Avenue, B.P. 81, Kigali, Rwanda.

rwanda.diplomatie.belgium.be/en

Kigali.Visa@diplobel.fed.be

+250-252-575553

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I visit Belgium with a Schengen visa?

Belgium is one of the European countries on the Schengen agreement so you can visit with a valid Schengen visa.

Sylvere Munyeshyaka

2 years ago

Yes

What language do they speak in Belgium?

The official language in Belgium is Dutch and it's spoken by 60% of their population. About 40% speak French while a very small number of Belgians speak German.

Are there good places to visit in Belgium?

Yes, Belgium is well known for its multicultural nature and great historic locations. Brussels, the capital of Belgium is a famous city for visits. Antwerp, Beringen, Bruges and Lier are also some of Belgium's greatest cities for travelling visitors.

Is Belgium safe to relocate to?

Belgium is generally a very safe country except for certain neighbourhoods in Brussels - the port and docks of Antwerp. Charleroi and Liège boast of the highest crime rates in Southern Belgium but if you keep an eye on your belongings and avoid wandering alone at night, you'll not be in serious problems.