People often prefer European countries as their ideal destination for spending their vacation with their loved ones. Belgium is one of thoese coutnies which is a popular tourist destination. The streets of Brussels have a medieval architecture and some of the best restaurants in the world. However, people do have a lot of confusion about the Belgium tourist visa from UAE. So to solve this issue, you have to know about the Belgium visa requirements for UAE residents. In this guide, you will learn how to apply Belgium visa from UAE effectively.
What the Belgium Visa Actually Is
Belgium is a full Schengen member. UAE residents applying for a Schengen Visa from Dubai, UAE, receive a Short-Stay Schengen Type C sticker visa, a physical stamp placed inside your passport before departure. The visa is valid for 6 months from issuance. Within that window, you can stay up to 90 days across any combination of Schengen countries. Because it is a sticker visa and not an e-visa, you collect your passport only after the embassy’s decision. Digital-only processing is not available for this category.
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Why Belgium Must Be Your Primary Destination
This application has to be for a primary destination Belgium. Primary destination is the country you have spent the most nights in your trip, as opposed to the other Schengen countries. If you split a 10-day holiday, you spend half of it in Belgium and half in the other country, so that Belgium is the principal country. Belgium is the longest place of stay, and if you submit your application to another Schengen embassy, the documents will not be processed.
Three Visa Categories and Which One UAE Residents Can Use
Belgian visas are available in three categories: tourist, business and family visit. The tourist visa is valid for sightseeing, leisure and short holidays. The business visa is valid for business meetings, conferences and business engagements. The family visit visa is granted to the family member who travels from the UAE to visit their relatives or friends in Belgium. Importantly, it’s the tourist visa category that is processed using the application service available to the UAE residents. Business and family visit visa applicants have to reach out to the Belgian embassy directly for their case.
Fees for Belgium Visa from UAE
The expense of a Belgium Visa from Dubai, UAE is AED 750 in total. This includes the cost of appointment, services and document handling throughout the whole process. In addition, file fees are paid separately, on appointment, for an amount of AED 250 or so. Retain both receipts as payment receipts whilst tracking and collection. A reduced fee structure applies to children under 12 years old. Check the fee structure when you book an appointment time slot.
Note: To know about the purpose of the Schengen visa, read this blog.
How Long Does Processing Take
Processing time takes 20-25 working days after the appointment and submission of the documents. This is even expanded in high traffic periods, like in June-July-August and winter vacation. Some files take longer if the embassy asks for more documents (make sure to send them back), the clock stops till the embassy gets the additional documents. This is the shortest period of time you have to wait before travelling, which is 4 weeks. If you book in advance, 6 weeks before, then you should be quite safe during the time of summer travel and school holidays when appointments are booked up, and queues lengthen.
Belgium Visa Requirements for UAE Residents: Who Qualifies
Citizens who have a valid UAE residence visa can apply for Belgium visa. Your residence visa needs to be valid on the date of the application and for a reasonable time after your intended departure from Belgium. Further, you must have financial safety, a guaranteed travel plan and solid connection with the UAE to ensure you return as planned. These ties consist of active work, property ownership, registered dependents or a registered business in the country.
Note: To know more about the international visa services, you can read this blog.
Complete Document Checklist
Every Belgium tourist visa from UAE application requires the following items submitted as a complete and consistent set. Missing a single document or providing one that contradicts another causes the file to be returned without a decision.
- Valid passport with a minimum of 6 months remaining validity from your return date
- UAE residence visa copy
- Passport-size photographs meeting Schengen specifications
- Completed and signed the visa application form
- Confirmed flight reservation for entry and exit
- Hotel booking or confirmed accommodation for every night of stay
- Travel insurance covering the full Schengen zone with minimum €30,000 medical coverage
- Bank statements covering the last 3 to 6 months
- No Objection Certificate from your employer or sponsor
The UAE residents are most often led astray by two things. Bank statements must demonstrate consistent transactions over 3-6 months and not one big deposit recently. This needs to be on the official letterhead of the employer NOC, signed by an authorised person, with your designation, salary, approved leave dates indicated and confirmation that you will resume your position upon returning from the trip.
How to Apply for Belgium Visa from UAE: 8 Steps
- Choose the tourist visa category and confirm that Belgium is your main Schengen destination.
- Collect all documents, with the bank statements reflecting consistent activity for 3 to 6 months, and the dates on all documents match.
- Make an appointment at the official visa application centre. Timing is important – the busier the months, the further in advance the slots book up.
- Fill out the official application form with all details as per your passport. Spelling of names, date of birth and passport number should be consistent in all documents.
- Attend your appointment in person on the scheduled date. Bring all original documents and certified copies. Late arrivals require rescheduling.
- Submit documents and provide biometrics, digital fingerprints, and a live photograph collected at the centre. If you submitted Schengen biometrics within the past 59 months for any European country, you may qualify for an exemption from resubmission.
- Pay the applicable fees at the centre, AED 750 service total, and approximately AED 250 in file charges. Retain both receipts for application tracking.
- Collect your passport once a decision is reached, either in person at the centre or via courier, depending on the service option chosen.
Note: You can check the official portal of the Embassy of Belgium in the United Arab Emirates for official information.
Checking Your Visa Before You Travel
Once your passport is returned, open it at the collection point and verify these five details before leaving:
- Full name matches your passport spelling exactly, including middle names
- Passport number correct digit by digit
- Date of birth is accurate across day, month, and year
- Visa validity dates cover your complete intended travel window
- The number of entries reflects a single or multiple entries as applied for
Report any discrepancy immediately at the collection point. Corrections after leaving are significantly more complicated to arrange.
Note: For more information about applying for a Schengen visa, read this blog.
Travelling Beyond Belgium on the Same Visa
Belgium Schengen visa is valid for the entire Schengen area consisting of 29 countries, including France, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Italy, Switzerland and Spain. No border controls at the internal Schengen borders, and no hassle with multiple country travel with one visa. The 90 days are added up for the entire zone. Any country within the Schengen area (even Belgium) does count against this allowance. When booking connecting flights, make sure to plan your entire European itinerary with this in mind.
Note: To know more about our agency, you can visit the ” About Us” page of Travel Saga.
Conclusion
Applying for a Belgium tourist visa from UAE has now become easier with this guide. When you know about the Belgium visa requirements for UAE residents, then you can apply without mistakes. Moreover, the guide also teaches you how to apply Belgium visa from UAE with perfection. Because of this, the chances of getting the approval for your visa become higher. However, for expert advice, visit travelsaga.com and apply for your visa with our professionals.
