{"about":"Student visa facts for Belgium, as read on official pages. Each statement names its source and the day it was checked. Information, not legal advice; the visa authority decides.","publisher":"ForiForeign","page":"https://foriforeign.com/study-in/be/student-visa","destination":{"code":"BE","name":"Belgium"},"visa":"D visa for higher education studies and residence permit","authority":"Immigration Office (FPS Home Affairs) and Belgian embassies/consulates (FPS Foreign Affairs)","official_portal":"https://dofi.ibz.be/en","last_checked":"2026-10-06","facts":[{"key":"admission_document","label":"The admission document you need first","text":"Admission letter or permission to enrol at a higher education institution.","source_url":"https://www.studyinflanders.be/practical-information/visa-requirements","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"documents","label":"Documents the official page lists","text":"","source_url":"https://www.studyinflanders.be/practical-information/visa-requirements","checked_at":"2026-09-15","list":["Visa application form","Passport valid at least 12 months","Photographs","Admission letter","Proof of solvency","Certificate of good conduct (18+)","Medical certificate","Proof of payment of administrative fee"]},{"key":"funds","label":"Money you must show","text":"Minimum EUR 1,062 per month for 2026-2027; a blocked university account must hold 12 times this amount.","source_url":"https://www.studyinflanders.be/practical-information/visa-requirements","checked_at":"2026-09-15","amount":1062,"currency":"EUR","period":"per month (2026-2027); blocked account = 12 x monthly amount"},{"key":"tuition_evidence","label":"Proof of tuition","text":"Universities may require payment of first-year study costs into a blocked account; no general tuition proof rule stated.","source_url":"https://japan.diplomatie.belgium.be/en/travel-belgium/visa-belgium/types-visa/d-visa-students-higher-education-minimum-stay-91-days","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"application_fee","label":"What the application costs","text":"Administrative fee from 1 January 2026: EUR 251 (publicly recognised institution) or EUR 242 (other); paid by bank transfer, plus any embassy visa fee.","source_url":"https://japan.diplomatie.belgium.be/sites/default/files/2026-01/Administrative%20fee.pdf","checked_at":"2026-09-15","amount":251,"currency":"EUR"},{"key":"health","label":"Health insurance","text":"Proof of health insurance coverage is required when registering at the town hall.","source_url":"https://www.studyinflanders.be/practical-information/visa-requirements","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"where_to_apply","label":"Where you apply","text":"Apply via the Belgian embassy or consulate for your country of residence.","source_url":"https://www.studyinflanders.be/practical-information/visa-requirements","checked_at":"2026-09-15","mode":"embassy/consulate"},{"key":"biometrics","label":"Fingerprints and photo","text":"application is in person by appointment.","source_url":"https://japan.diplomatie.belgium.be/en/travel-belgium/visa-belgium/types-visa/d-visa-students-higher-education-minimum-stay-91-days","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"processing_time","label":"How long the decision takes","text":"Normally six to eight weeks.","source_url":"https://www.studyinflanders.be/practical-information/visa-requirements","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"tb_or_medical","label":"Medical examination","text":"A medical certificate with test results from a doctor is required.","source_url":"https://www.studyinflanders.be/practical-information/visa-requirements","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"police_certificate","label":"Police certificate","text":"Certificate of good conduct / criminal record required for applicants aged 18 or over.","source_url":"https://www.studyinflanders.be/practical-information/visa-requirements","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"legalisation","label":"Legalisation of documents","text":"Criminal record certificate needs an apostille (example: Tokyo embassy page).","source_url":"https://japan.diplomatie.belgium.be/en/travel-belgium/visa-belgium/types-visa/d-visa-students-higher-education-minimum-stay-91-days","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"work_rights","label":"Working while you study","text":"Up to 20 hours per week during the academic year; more during official holidays.","source_url":"https://www.studyinflanders.be/practical-information/work-and-study","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"dependants","label":"Family members","text":"Family reunion D visa fee is EUR 218 per adult applicant.","source_url":"https://japan.diplomatie.belgium.be/sites/default/files/2026-01/Administrative%20fee.pdf","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"on_arrival","label":"After you arrive","text":"Register at the town or city hall as soon as possible with visa, proof of solvency and health insurance.","source_url":"https://www.studyinflanders.be/practical-information/visa-requirements","checked_at":"2026-09-15"}],"fees":[{"kind":"government_fee","label":"Visa fee (government)","amount":251,"currency":"EUR","period":null,"up_to":false,"text":"Administrative fee from 1 January 2026: EUR 251 (publicly recognised institution) or EUR 242 (other); paid by bank transfer, plus any embassy visa fee.","source_url":"https://japan.diplomatie.belgium.be/sites/default/files/2026-01/Administrative%20fee.pdf","checked_at":"2026-09-15"}],"how_to_apply":[{"key":"how_application","label":"How the application is lodged","text":"The long stay visa form is filled in and sent online on Visa On Web, then printed and taken with the documents to the chosen visa application centre.","source_url":"https://pakistan.diplomatie.belgium.be/en/travel-belgium/visa-belgium-and-grand-duchy-luxembourg/online-visa-application-procedure","checked_at":"2026-10-06","portal_url":"https://visaonweb.diplomatie.be/","portal_name":"Visa On Web (VOW)","form_name":"Long stay visa (type D) application form on Visa On Web"},{"key":"how_payment","label":"How the fee is paid","text":"In Pakistan all handling and consular fees are paid to the VFS/Gerry's International visa centre.","source_url":"https://pakistan.diplomatie.belgium.be/en/travel-belgium/visa-belgium-and-grand-duchy-luxembourg/student-visa/education-public-institutions-art-58","checked_at":"2026-10-06"},{"key":"how_tracking","label":"Following your application","text":"Follow the application on the visa centre tracker or the Belgian Immigration Office status page, using the mission name and the file number on the online form.","source_url":"https://pakistan.diplomatie.belgium.be/en/travel-belgium/visa-belgium-and-grand-duchy-luxembourg/online-visa-application-procedure","checked_at":"2026-10-06","tracking_url":"https://dofi.ibz.be/sites/dvzoe/FR/Pages/Ouenestmademandedevisa.aspx"},{"key":"how_processing_time","label":"Processing time, as the application page states it","text":"No fixed time is given: when the file has to go to the Immigration Office in Belgium, the decision can take longer and timing is unpredictable.","source_url":"https://singapore.diplomatie.belgium.be/en/travel-belgium/visa-belgium/long-stay-visa","checked_at":"2026-10-06"}],"steps":[{"n":1,"title":"Get admission","detail":"Obtain an admission letter or permission to enrol from a Belgian higher education institution.","source_url":"https://www.studyinflanders.be/practical-information/visa-requirements"},{"n":2,"title":"Prove means","detail":"Show at least EUR 1,062 per month for 2026-2027 (blocked university account, scholarship or pledge).","source_url":"https://www.studyinflanders.be/practical-information/visa-requirements"},{"n":3,"title":"Medical and police certificates","detail":"Get a medical certificate and, if 18+, a criminal record certificate with apostille.","source_url":"https://japan.diplomatie.belgium.be/en/travel-belgium/visa-belgium/types-visa/d-visa-students-higher-education-minimum-stay-91-days"},{"n":4,"title":"Pay the administrative fee","detail":"Transfer the Immigration Office fee before applying and bring proof of payment.","source_url":"https://japan.diplomatie.belgium.be/sites/default/files/2026-01/Administrative%20fee.pdf"},{"n":5,"title":"Apply at embassy","detail":"Complete the online form and apply with an appointment at the Belgian embassy or consulate for your residence.","source_url":"https://www.studyinflanders.be/practical-information/visa-requirements"},{"n":6,"title":"Wait for decision","detail":"The normal procedure can take six to eight weeks.","source_url":"https://www.studyinflanders.be/practical-information/visa-requirements"},{"n":7,"title":"Register on arrival","detail":"Register at the town or city hall as soon as possible after arrival.","source_url":"https://www.studyinflanders.be/practical-information/visa-requirements"}],"not_stated_on_the_official_pages":["a language requirement"],"applicant_country_pages":[{"country":"PK","name":"Pakistan","page":"https://foriforeign.com/study-in/be/student-visa/from/pakistan"}]}