Key Takeaways:
- Types of Belgium Transit Visas: Includes Airport Transit Visa (ATV) and Transit Visa for Seafarers, each with specific conditions and requirements.
Visa Requirements: Specific documents needed for application include forms, photos, passports, proof of destination, and insurance for both ATV and seafarers.
Visa Validity: Airport Transit Visa valid for up to 24 hours; Seafarers Transit Visa allows up to five days in Schengen.
What is a Belgium Transit Visa?
A Belgium Transit Visa allows travelers to pause their journey in Belgium to change flights or ships while en route to another destination. There are two main types of Belgium Transit visas:
Types of Transit Visas
- Airport Transit Visa (ATV): This visa permits you to stay within the international area of a Belgian airport while you wait for your next flight.
Transit Visa for Seafarers: This Schengen transit visa allows seafarers to leave their ships in one of the Schengen seaports temporarily. However, they must remain within the seaport even if they have to stay overnight in Belgium.
Who Needs a Visa to Transit in Belgium?
Citizens from certain countries are required to have a transit visa to stopover in Belgium, even if they do not leave the international transit area. These countries include:
- Afghanistan
- Bangladesh
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Ghana
- Iran
- Iraq
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Somalia
- Sri Lanka
- Dominican Republic
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Nepal
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Yemen
Exemptions From the Transit Visa Requirement
Certain categories of travelers from the above-listed countries do not need a transit visa for Belgium. These exemptions include:
- Holders of a diplomatic passport.
- Individuals with a valid uniform visa, residence permit issued by an EU Member State, or a national long-stay visa.
- Residents of Andorra, Canada, Japan, San Marino, or the USA with valid permits.
- Individuals with valid visas or residence permits for the Schengen area, EU, EEA countries.
- Travelers holding valid visas for Japan, Canada, or the USA.
- Family members of citizens of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland.
- Flight crew members on duty who are nationals of a Contracting Party to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Chicago Convention.
Do I Need a Visa If I Do Not Leave the International Transit Area?
If you are not from one of the countries listed above and you stay within the international transit area, you do not need a transit visa for Belgium. However, you should check with your airline whether you will need to leave the transit area to change your flight or collect your luggage.
Countries With a Visa-Free Agreement With Belgium
Travelers from countries with a visa-free agreement with Schengen, such as the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, etc., can transit in Belgium without a visa, even if they leave the airport’s international transit area.
Can I Leave the Airport With a Belgium Transit Visa?
Generally, you cannot leave the airport with a Belgium Transit Visa unless:
- Your country is part of the Schengen Area, the EEA, or the EU.
- You are from a country with a visa-free agreement with Schengen.
- You hold a Schengen tourist visa.
Belgium Transit Visa Requirements
When applying for a Belgium Transit Visa, you need to gather several documents required by the Belgian embassy. Accurate documentation increases your chances of receiving the visa. Below are the required documents for both types of transit visas:
Requirements to Apply for an Airport Transit Visa (ATV)
- Visa application form: Print, complete, and sign the form.
- Two pictures: Provide two identical recent photos; one attached to the form and one for the embassy or consulate.
- Valid passport: Ensure your passport has at least two blank pages and is valid.
- Proof of your final destination: Present flight ticket reservations and the visa for your destination country if required.
- Travel insurance: Coverage of at least €30,000 for emergencies such as sudden illness, physical injuries, and evacuation.
- Proof of transit visa fee payment: Confirm the payment of €80 for the visa. It is advisable to review Schengen visa fees as they may fluctuate.
Requirements to Apply for a Transit Schengen Visa for Seafarers
- Visa application form: Fill out and sign the form.
- Two recent pictures: Follow Schengen visa photo specifications.
- Passport: Issued within the last ten years and valid for at least three months after departure from the Schengen zone. Include a copy of the data pages.
- Inviting Shipping Company letter: A letter from the inviting shipping company in the Schengen country verifying your disembarkation.
- Seaman’s book: The original and a copy of your Seaman’s book.
- Travel insurance: Must cover the entire Schengen zone.
- Flight reservation: If applicable.
- Employment contract: Between you and the ship or navigation company.
- Proof of transit visa fee payment: Receipt of the €80 payment.
How to Apply for a Belgium Transit Visa?
Applying for a Belgium Transit Visa involves several steps:
- Schedule an appointment: Contact the Belgian embassy or consulate, or the designated visa submission center (if outsourced).
- Fill the application form: You can typically find the transit visa application form online on the embassy or consulate website. Sometimes, physical copies are available at their offices.
- Prepare required documents: Collect all the necessary documents for the application.
- Attend your appointment: Be present at the embassy or consulate with your documents.
- Pay the visa fee: Pay the required fee of €80.
How Long is a Belgium Transit Visa Valid?
The validity of a Belgium Transit Visa depends on the type:
Airport Transit Schengen Visa
This visa is valid for up to 24 hours, and you must remain in the airport’s transit area.
Transit Schengen Visa for Seafarers
This visa allows a stay of up to five days in the Schengen area before heading to another non-Schengen country.
For detailed guidelines, you can visit the official Schengen visa website which provides authoritative information on various visa-related topics.
By following these steps carefully, securing a Belgium Transit Visa becomes a straightforward process. Ensure you meet all the transit visa requirements to increase your chances of a smooth and successful application. This short-term visa is essential for certain travelers, so it is important to understand all details and prepare adequately.
Learn Today:
Glossary
- Transit Visa: A short-term visa that allows travelers to pass through a country while en route to another destination. For Belgium, there are specific types like the Airport Transit Visa (ATV) and the Transit Visa for Seafarers.
Airport Transit Visa (ATV): A type of transit visa that permits travelers to stay within the international transit area of a Belgian airport while waiting for their next flight.
Schengen Area: A zone comprising 27 European countries that have abolished passport control at their mutual borders, allowing for passport-free movement across most of Europe.
Seafarer: A person who works on a ship or boat, especially in roles related to sea navigation. In the context of Belgium Transit Visas, seafarers may need a specific type of transit visa to disembark at a Schengen seaport.
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Chicago Convention: An international treaty that governs the standards and regulations for aviation safety, security, and efficiency, to which multiple countries are signatories. Flight crew members from these countries may be exempt from needing a transit visa.
This Article In A Nutshell:
A Belgium Transit Visa lets you stop in Belgium while traveling. Types include Airport Transit Visa for flight layovers and Seafarers Transit for ship crew. Certain nations need this visa (see list), while exempt categories exist. Check visa-free agreements. How to apply: gather docs, pay fee, attend appointment. Stay duration varies by visa type.
— By VisaVerge.com
