🇧🇪Belgium Visa for New Zealand Citizens2026 Requirements, Fees & Documents

Schengen Short-Stay Visa (Type C) - Medical Treatment

Allows foreign nationals to travel to Belgium to undergo planned medical treatment at a Belgian health-care institution for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

Medical treatment is an officially listed purpose/category of the Schengen Type C short-stay visa on the Belgian FPS Foreign Affairs visa pages (diplomatie.belgium.be, 'Visa C - Short stays'). Fee EUR 90 for adults (12+), EUR 45 for children 6-12, free under 6 - same as other Type C visas. Requires a medical certificate issued by the treating doctor/institution, written confirmation of the appointment at the Belgian health facility, proof that the treatment costs can be covered or have been pre-paid, and medical travel insurance with minimum EUR 30,000 coverage. Belgian embassies publish a dedicated 'Short Stay Visa - C Medical treatment' document checklist (e.g. jordan.diplomatie.belgium.be/.../visa_c_-_medical_treatment.pdf). For medical stays exceeding 90 days, or for seriously ill persons who cannot be treated in their country of origin, a separate authorisation to stay for medical reasons (Article 9ter) applies instead.

Single Permit (Combined Work and Residence Authorization)

Combined work and residence permit for third-country nationals intending to work in Belgium for more than 90 days under an employment contract.

Mandatory for all non-EU workers employed more than 90 days in Belgium since 3 January 2019. Application submitted by employer through regional one-stop counter portal. Region confirms receipt within 15 days; joint decision within 4 months (extendable). If no unfavorable decision within timeframe, authorization is automatically granted. Residence validity up to 5 years; renewal required at least 2 months before A card expiry. Holder also receives a national long-stay D visa from Belgian embassy to enter Belgium.

EU Blue Card (Highly Qualified Worker - Single Permit B29)

Combined work and residence permit for highly qualified third-country nationals employed by a Belgian employer under a salary above a specified threshold.

Identified with code B29 on visa/permit. Applied via Single Permit procedure by employer. EU Blue Card holders benefit from family reunification without proof of sufficient means and can combine EU-wide residency across Schengen states for long-term resident status (minimum 2 years in Belgium immediately before application).

Intra-Corporate Transfer (ICT) Permit

Permits managers, specialists, or trainee employees being transferred within a multinational enterprise to a Belgian entity for more than 90 days.

Separate procedure from the standard Single Permit. Employer must apply through regional authority. Holder also requires Belgian national long-stay D visa.

Seasonal Worker Permit

Authorizes third-country nationals to perform seasonal work in Belgium for a limited period exceeding 90 days.

Listed as a separate work authorization category by the Belgian Immigration Office. Regional authority determines eligibility and conditions. Holder also requires Belgian D visa.

Au Pair / Youth Work Authorization

Allows young third-country nationals to live with a host family in Belgium, participate in family life, and perform light household tasks while learning the local language and culture.

Listed as 'Au pair/Youth' work category by Belgian Immigration Office. Regional authority has jurisdiction. Holder also requires Belgian D visa for stays over 90 days.

Trainee Work Authorization

Permits third-country national trainees to perform on-the-job training in Belgium for more than 90 days within the framework of a training agreement.

Listed as 'Trainees' category by Belgian Immigration Office. Separate from the Single Permit standard procedure. Regional authority has jurisdiction.

Volunteer Work Authorization

Authorizes third-country nationals to carry out recognized volunteer work in Belgium for more than 90 days.

Listed as 'Volunteers' category by Belgian Immigration Office. Regional authority has jurisdiction. Holder requires Belgian D visa for stays exceeding 90 days.

Professional Card (Self-Employed / Entrepreneur)

Authorizes third-country nationals to conduct self-employed professional or commercial activities in Belgium for more than 90 days.

No fixed minimum investment amount set by federal law. Issued by the competent regional authority (Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels-Capital, or German-speaking Community). Applicant must then obtain a Belgian national long-stay D visa from the embassy/consulate. After 5 years of lawful residence, path to long-term resident status and potentially citizenship.

Researcher Permit (Hosting Agreement - B13)

Grants third-country national researchers the right to reside and conduct scientific research in Belgium for more than 90 days under a hosting agreement with a recognized Belgian research institution.

Designated B13 on visa/permit. Requires valid hosting agreement with recognized research organization. Regional employment authority declares admissibility first; decision issued within 60 days of complete file submission. Provisional 'Annex 49' document valid 45 days (renewable) issued while awaiting A card. Long-term mobility option available for researchers already authorized in another EU member state. Holder requires Belgian national long-stay D visa.

Student Visa (Higher Education)

Allows third-country nationals to reside in Belgium for more than 90 days to pursue degree-level studies at a recognized Belgian higher education institution.

Applies to studies leading to a degree recognized in Belgium. Holder must obtain Belgian national long-stay D visa from competent embassy/consulate before travel. Upon arrival, residence permit application made at municipal administration. Official fees not published on the IBZ page consulted.

Student Visa (Secondary Education)

Permits third-country nationals to reside in Belgium for more than 90 days to attend secondary school education.

Separate category from higher education. Holder requires Belgian D visa for stays over 90 days. Exact fee and processing times not published on official IBZ page.

Orientation Year After Higher Studies

Grants a one-year extension of residence to third-country national graduates of Belgian higher education institutions to seek employment or start a business.

Maximum 1 year, non-renewable as orientation year. At the end, applicant must convert to a work or entrepreneurship permit. Only available to graduates of recognized Belgian institutions.

Working Holiday Programme Visa

Allows young nationals of partner countries to holiday in Belgium for up to 12 months while supplementing their funds through incidental work.

Eligible countries: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Taiwan, South Korea. Age limit: 18–30 at time of application. Financial requirement: minimum EUR 2,500 plus return ticket or funds therefor. Authorization valid 12 months and cannot be renewed. Leisure must be primary purpose; work is supplementary only. Requires Belgian national long-stay D visa before travel. Travel/health insurance required. Fee amount not specified on official page.

Family Reunification Visa (with Belgian National)

Permits eligible family members of Belgian nationals to reside in Belgium for more than 90 days for the purpose of family reunification.

Sponsor is a Belgian national. Processing time depends on nationality of the sponsoring Belgian resident. Applicant receives a national long-stay D visa and/or residence permit upon approval. Specific requirements and timelines available on IBZ sub-pages.

Family Reunification Visa (with EU/EEA National)

Permits eligible family members of EU or EEA nationals residing in Belgium to join them for the purpose of family reunification.

Sponsor is an EU/EEA/associated country national. Governed by EU Directive 2004/38 on freedom of movement for EU citizens. Specific requirements and timelines available on IBZ sub-pages.

Family Reunification Visa (with Third-Country National)

Permits eligible family members of legally resident third-country nationals to join them in Belgium for the purpose of family reunification.

Sponsor is a legally resident non-EU national. Stricter conditions apply including proof of stable resources and accommodation. Processing time depends on sponsor's nationality. Specific requirements on IBZ sub-pages.

Family Reunification Visa (with International Protection Beneficiary)

Permits family members of recognized refugees or subsidiary protection beneficiaries residing in Belgium to join them for family reunification.

Sponsor holds refugee status or subsidiary protection in Belgium. Specific conditions and timelines differ from standard family reunification. Applicant receives national long-stay D visa and/or residence permit upon approval.

Diplomatic / Official Passport Visa Exemption

Exempts holders of diplomatic, service/official, or special passports from certain countries from the Schengen visa requirement for short stays.

Applies to holders of diplomatic, service/official, and/or special passports from countries with bilateral visa waiver agreements with Belgium (or the Benelux), including Algeria, Bolivia, Cambodia, Cape Verde, China, Congo DRC, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Ecuador, Egypt, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Malawi, Mongolia, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Senegal, South Africa, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, and others. Scope (diplomatic only vs. diplomatic+service vs. diplomatic+service+special) varies by country per EUR-Lex 52023XC0927(01) BNL column.

National Long-Stay Visa (Type D)

Belgian national visa authorizing third-country nationals to enter Belgium and take up long-term residence (more than 90 days) for purposes such as work, study, family reunification, or self-employment.

All long-stay categories (work, study, family, research, self-employment, etc.) require a Type D national long-stay visa obtained from the Belgian embassy/consulate in the applicant's country of residence before travel. Upon arrival applicants register at the municipal administration and apply for a residence permit (A card or equivalent). All nationalities are subject to the D visa requirement for long stays regardless of short-stay exemption status.