In short: To study in Belgium as an international student you apply for: D visa for higher education studies and residence permit. Apply via the Belgian embassy or consulate for your country of residence. Administrative fee from 1 January 2026: EUR 251 (publicly recognised institution) or EUR 242 (other); paid by bank transfer, plus any embassy visa fee. Normally six to eight weeks. Every line on this page was read on an official page, which is linked beside it; the facts were last checked on 6 October 2026.
| Visa or permit | D visa for higher education studies and residence permit |
|---|---|
| Application fee | EUR 251 (japan.diplomatie.belgium.be) |
| Money to show | EUR 1,062 per month (2026-2027); blocked account = 12 x monthly amount (studyinflanders.be) |
| Processing time | Normally six to eight weeks. (studyinflanders.be) |
| Where you apply | Apply via the Belgian embassy or consulate for your country of residence. (studyinflanders.be) |
| Last checked |
Authority: Immigration Office (FPS Home Affairs) and Belgian embassies/consulates (FPS Foreign Affairs). Official portal: Belgian Immigration Office.
Admission letter or permission to enrol at a higher education institution.
Source: studyinflanders.be · checked on
Source: studyinflanders.be · checked on
Universities may require payment of first-year study costs into a blocked account; no general tuition proof rule stated.
Source: japan.diplomatie.belgium.be · checked on
Minimum EUR 1,062 per month for 2026-2027; a blocked university account must hold 12 times this amount.
Source: studyinflanders.be · checked on
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: japan.diplomatie.belgium.be · checked on
| Charge | Amount | What the official page says | Source, checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa fee (government) | EUR 251 | Administrative fee from 1 January 2026: EUR 251 (publicly recognised institution) or EUR 242 (other); paid by bank transfer, plus any embassy visa fee. | japan.diplomatie.belgium.be, 15 September 2026 |
Apply via the Belgian embassy or consulate for your country of residence.
Source: studyinflanders.be · checked on
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.
Visa On Web (VOW): visaonweb.diplomatie.be · form: Long stay visa (type D) application form on Visa On Web
Source: pakistan.diplomatie.belgium.be · checked on
In Pakistan all handling and consular fees are paid to the VFS/Gerry's International visa centre.
Source: pakistan.diplomatie.belgium.be · checked on
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.
Official tracking page: dofi.ibz.be
Source: pakistan.diplomatie.belgium.be · checked on
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: singapore.diplomatie.belgium.be · checked on
Steps as read on the official pages; checked on 15 September 2026.
application is in person by appointment.
Source: japan.diplomatie.belgium.be · checked on
Proof of health insurance coverage is required when registering at the town hall.
Source: studyinflanders.be · checked on
A medical certificate with test results from a doctor is required.
Source: studyinflanders.be · checked on
Certificate of good conduct / criminal record required for applicants aged 18 or over.
Source: studyinflanders.be · checked on
Criminal record certificate needs an apostille (example: Tokyo embassy page).
Source: japan.diplomatie.belgium.be · checked on
Up to 20 hours per week during the academic year; more during official holidays.
Source: studyinflanders.be · checked on
Family reunion D visa fee is EUR 218 per adult applicant.
Source: japan.diplomatie.belgium.be · checked on
Register at the town or city hall as soon as possible with visa, proof of solvency and health insurance.
Source: studyinflanders.be · checked on
We did not find these on the official pages we read for Belgium: a language requirement. That means "not stated on the pages we read", not "not required": ask the authority above, or check the official portal, before you apply.
The official pages say more for applicants in: Pakistan.
Which office handles applications from some other countries, as the official pages state:
ForiForeign prepares your student visa application with you and guides you through each step: the documents, the forms and the order to do them in. You file the application yourself with the authority named above, and that authority decides. ForiForeign is not a visa office or an agent of Belgium, and no one can promise a visa. Rules, fees and dates change: confirm each one on the official page linked beside it before you pay or travel.
The same facts for software and AI assistants: /facts/visa/be.json.
ForiForeign.com · admin@foriforeign.com · WhatsApp +92 310 5048760 · Information drawn from official sources shown on each rule; not legal advice.
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