Belgium visa requirements for Somalis

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for Somalis 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 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 Somalia.
  • Ticket to a third country if you are not returning to Somalia 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 your country.
  • 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 are 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 years.

Belgium Visa for Somalis

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 Up to 15 days 90 days
Student visa Up to 15 days It varies
Work visa Up to 15 days It varies

General Requirements for Belgium Visa

  • A completed visa application form.
  • An original 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 Somalia.
  • Ticket to a third country if you are not returning to Somalia 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 your country.
  • 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 are 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 years.
Belgium Tourist visa Belgium Student visa Belgium Work visa

Belgium Tourist Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The tourist visa is for Foreign tourists travelling 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 Somalia is required. This letter will serve as proof that your employer is aware of your leave of absence for the duration of your trip.
  • Somalian citizens should apply for a Belgian visa in neighbouring countries where Belgium has Diplomatic Mission, as there is currently no Denmark consulate in Somalia.
  • Visitors on the Belgian or other country's Schengen visa, are not permitted 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 for adults costs €60 for 12 years and above, €35 for children between 6-11 and is free for children under 6 years.
  • All the documents that Somalian citizens will present when applying for a Belgian visa, must be translated to English and the documents must be accompanied with the original ones.

Belgium Student Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The Belgium student visa is for 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, Citizens of Somalia are required to present documents showing that they have been offered admission into an institution in Belgium.
  • 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 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, and letter attesting sponsorship with valid ID of your sponsor.
  • All the documents that you will present when applying for a Belgian visa, must be translated to English, accompanied by the original ones.
  • 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 have not been convicted for any crime. 
  • Somalian citizens should apply for a Belgian visa in neighbouring countries where Belgium has Diplomatic Mission, as there is currently no Denmark consulate in Somalia.
  • The visa like other Schengen student visas costs €60 and is usually processed within 15 days.

Belgium Work Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This visa is meant for people who travel to Belgium to seek for employment.
  • Unlike tourist and business visa holders, they are entitled to receive 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.
  • Belgian 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 permits in Belgium:
  • C permit which is valid for all professions and all employers. It is valid for a limited time and must be renewed annually.
  • 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 your home country and re-apply for a residence visa before you can start your new job.
  • Somalian citizens should apply for a Belgian visa in neighbouring countries where Belgium has Diplomatic Mission, as there is currently no Denmark consulate in Somalia.
  • Once you have renewed a B permit four or more times or 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 is 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 benefits.
  • 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 travelling 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 years.

Belgium Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Tourist visa

60.00 (EUR)

Student visa

60.00 (EUR)

Work visa

60.00 (EUR)

Belgium Visa Application Centres & Embassies in Somalia

Location

Address

Frequently Asked Questions

What currency is spent in Belgium?

You can exchange money to Euro in your country before travelling to Belgium as the official currency of Belgium is the Euro and your local currency will not be accepted as the legal tender in Belgium.


What is the capital city of Belgium?

Brussels is the capital city of Belgium and it is the commonplace that foreigners visit when the travel to Belgium.

When is the right time to visit Belgium?

The spring and fall are the perfect time to visit Belgium as the weather as at that time is people-friendly. Spring and fall range from Apri-June and September-October respectively.

Is Belgium safe to visit?

Belgium is definitely safe and criminal activities in Belgium is hardly heard of. However, you should be alert of terrorist attacks, pickpocketing and petty theft.