How to get a Belgium visa from South Africa

• Applicants of this visa intend visiting the country for tourism purposes.
• You can visit friends and relatives in the country with this visa.
• If you have a host in Belgium, the letter of invitation from your host in the country should be provided.
• Home address, telephone number and a valid means of identification of your host in the country should be presented.
• Business activities are not permitted in the country.
• While you are in the country with this visa, you are not allowed to take up paid or unpaid employment.
• If you are not a citizen of South Africa, the original copy of your South African stay permit should be provided. Also, the photocopy of this document is required.
• Receipt of paid visa application fee is required.
• If you are under the age of 18 years visiting the country with or without your parents, a letter of consent signed by both parents should be provided.
• Holders of this visa cannot enroll for a course of study in the country.
• You are expected to obey all the rules of this visa.
• The visa is valid for 180 days.

• Business visa is issued to those visiting the country for business purposes.
• This visa allows you to attend business meetings with partners and sign and negotiate business contracts.
• With this visa, you can also attend business summits, conferences and trade fairs.
• An original copy of letter of invitation written on the company’s letterhead should be provided. The letter should include; the corporate name of the company, address of the company and purpose and duration of the visit in the country.
• Certificate of business registration of the company should also be provided.
• Photocopy of valid means of identification of the person who signs the letter of invitation is required.
• If the company is sponsoring all aspects of your trip to the country, the letter of invitation should be accompanied by the original bank statement of the company from the past 12 months.
• A letter from your current employer in South Africa should be provided. The letter should be a confirmation of your business leave by your employer.
• Non-South Africans should ensure they have the original copy of their South African stay permit before applying for this visa.
• If you are travelling with a minor, a document of consent signed by both parents of the minor should be provided.
• You are not allowed to be paid for any service you render in the country.
• The visa is valid for 180 days.

• This visa allows foreigners to make short stays in the country.
• Applicants of this visa intend transiting through Belgium to their destination country.
• Visa and flight ticket of your destination country should be presented during the visa application process.
• If you are under the age of 18 years, the unabridged original copy of your birth certificate should be provided.
• A copy of your South African stay permit should be provided if you are a non-South African.
• Receipt of paid visa application fee is required.
• You are not allowed to work during your time in the country.
• The visa is valid for 5 days.
• You are required to exit the country before the expiry of your visa.

• This visa is meant for those who are visiting Belgium to work there.
• You are entitled to receiving salary for the job done during your time in the country.
• Your employer in Belgium should provide a letter of invitation stating that you have been employed in his/her company.
• For non-South Africans, a copy of your South African stay permit should be provided.
• Proof of paid visa application is required.
• 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 of this visa is 10 working days.

• The student visa is meant for those who have been accepted to one of the institutions of learning in the country.
• Before you can apply for this visa you must have been accepted in one of the schools in the country.
• Original letter of acceptance from the institution you have been enrolled in is required. The letter must include the name of institution and valid contacts of the institution.
• If you are a minor traveling alone, a letter of consent signed by both your parents should be provided during visa application process.
• You can work for about 20 hours per day as long as it does not interfere with your study.
• If you are not a South African citizen, a copy of your South African stay permit is required.
• If you are being sponsored by your parents, original letter from parents stating that they will be responsible for your finances during your time in the country.
• Applicants should ensure they have the original copy of their birth certificate.
• With this visa, you can stay in Belgium for as long as you are studying.

• The official visa allows South African diplomats to visit Belgium to foster bilateral relationships between the two countries.
• A diplomatic note should be presented. The duration and purpose of the visit as well as your status in the government should be indicated in the note.
• Letter of invitation from the Belgian government should be provided.
• Applicants of this visa do not need to apply in person for this visa, the required documents can be couriered to the embassy.
• Holders of this visa are not allowed to be paid for services they render while they are in the country.
• Visa fees are waived for holders of diplomatic passports.
• You are not allowed to enroll for a course in any of the institutions in the country.
• If you are traveling with your spouse, the original copy of your marriage certificate should be provided.
• This visa is valid for 180 days.

Yes, Belgium is relatively safe for tourists.

Yes, you can work for up to 20 hours as long as it does not affect your studies.

Yes, IELTS is required for Belgium.