Complete Guide to Applying for a Belgium Tourist Visa from India

(INDIA) Planning a short holiday to Brussels, Bruges, or Ghent? Here’s a clear, start-to-finish roadmap for Indians applying for a Belgium tourist (Schengen) visa. You’ll see what to do at each step, how long things usually take, what the embassy checks, and small actions that can make a big difference. Keep three anchors in mind from day one: a fully filled visa application form, strong travel insurance, and proof you’ll return to India on time.

End-to-End Journey: What Happens and When

• Earliest you can apply: 6 months before your trip
• Latest you can apply: 15 days before departure** (don’t cut it this close)**
• Sweet spot to apply: 30–60 days before travel
• Typical processing time: 15–30 calendar days (can stretch to 45 days if extra checks are needed)
• Where you submit: A Belgium Visa Application Centre (VAC) run by VFS Global in Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, and Lucknow

From start to finish, most travelers who plan early, bring complete papers, and present a tidy itinerary get decisions within three to four weeks.

Deciding Where and Why Belgium First

Apply for a Belgium tourist (Schengen) visa if Belgium is your main destination (most nights) or your first port of entry in the Schengen Area when nights are equal across countries.

Belgium has been a favourable choice for Indian tourists. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, Belgium’s approval rate for Indian applicants in 2024 was about 90.6%, higher than several other Schengen states. That doesn’t replace strong paperwork, but it’s reassuring when you’re picking your filing route.

The Papers You Need: Checklist With Plain-English Notes

Bring originals plus copies where relevant. Organize documents in the order below.

• Schengen visa application form: Fill, print, and sign. Use the official template. You can download the Application for Schengen Visa (English) from the European Commission website: https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2020-07/application_form_en.pdf
• Two photos: Recent, as per Schengen photo rules (light background, neutral face, correct dimensions).
• Passport: Issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned return date. Include copies of old visas if you have them.
• Cover letter: Short and clear. State why you’re going, where you’ll go, dates, who pays, and why you’ll return to India (job, family, property, studies).
• Proof of funds: Last 3–6 months bank statements, salary slips, and/or ITRs. Make sure the bank statements are stamped or digitally verified.
• Travel plan proof:
  • Flight itinerary (round-trip) matching your dates
  • Hotel bookings for each night or a host invitation if staying with family/friends (include host’s address and copy of ID/residence status)
• Travel insurance: Minimum €30,000 medical coverage, valid across all Schengen countries for your entire stay. Make sure it covers emergency care and repatriation.
• Extra documents if relevant: Leave letter from employer, company registration for self-employed travellers, school/college letter for students, marriage certificate if travelling with spouse, property documents to show roots in India.

Tip: Keep the itinerary and bookings realistic—no double-booked hotels, no vague gaps in dates. Consistency matters.

Fees and How You Pay

• Schengen visa fee: €80 for adults (12+), €40 for children 6–12, and free for children under 6.
• VFS service charge: Around ₹2,263 (taxes included) per applicant when filing at a Belgian VAC in India.
• These fees are non-refundable, even if the visa is refused.

Note: Exchange rates can change your final INR amount. VACs usually accept multiple payment methods; confirm at booking time.

Step-by-Step: From Booking to Decision

1. Fill the form
   • Download and complete the official Application for Schengen Visa. Sign where required. Double-check dates, passport number, and contact details.
2. Build your file
   • Assemble documents in an easy stack: form, photos, passport, cover letter, funds, flight plan, hotels, and travel insurance. Print clear copies.
3. Choose your VAC and book an appointment
   • Pick the nearest Belgium VAC on the VFS system. Busy months (April–September and December) fill fast, so book early.
4. Attend your appointment
   • Bring your file, pay the visa and service fees, and provide biometrics (fingerprints and photo). Even if you gave biometrics before, you may be asked again if data has expired.
5. Optional visa interview
   • Some applicants get a call for an extra interview. If asked, be calm and stick to the facts. You’ll usually be asked about your trip plan, who’s paying, your job, and your ties to India.
6. Wait for a decision
   • Standard cases take 15–30 days. If the embassy needs to consult the Belgian Immigration Office or run extra checks (past refusals, complex travel histories), it can take up to 45 days.
7. Passport return and result
   • You’ll get your passport back via courier or pickup. Check visa dates, number of entries, and name spelling as soon as you receive it.

What to expect from authorities: At the VAC, staff will verify your checklist, capture biometrics, and collect fees. The Belgian Embassy/Consulate will review your purpose of travel, your means to pay, and whether your plan makes sense. They also check if you’re likely to return. If something is missing, they may ask for extra documents or call you in.

Timing Choices That Save Stress

• Apply 30–60 days before you fly to avoid seasonal rushes and last-minute appointment gaps.
• During school holidays or summer, assume longer waits for appointments and results.
• Book cancellable or refundable flights and hotels when possible. If you prefer non-refundable deals, accept the risk—you can’t recover fees if the visa is refused or delayed.

How to Make a Strong Case

• Match everything to your dates: Flight plan, hotel bookings, and cover letter should align.
• Show enough money: Maintain healthy, steady bank balances for at least three months before you apply. Large, sudden deposits raise questions.
• Prove you’ll return: Include job letters with leave approval, property documents, or family commitments. Self-employed applicants should add GST/registration and recent tax papers.
• Be interview-ready: Practice short, honest answers. Example: “I’m visiting Belgium for 8 days to see Bruges and Brussels, then returning to my job at [Company] on [date].”
• Keep copies: Maintain a digital folder of every document you submit.

Common Pitfalls That Trigger Delays or Refusals

• Weak travel insurance or wrong coverage period. Your policy must cover the full trip with at least €30,000 medical coverage in all Schengen states.
• Inconsistent plans: a cover letter that says “10 days” but hotel booking shows 6 nights, or flight dates that don’t match the itinerary.
• Thin financials: bank statements without salary credits, or big deposits with no proof of origin.
• Missing job evidence: if employed, always attach a leave letter on company letterhead, signed and dated.
• Late filing: submitting within 2–3 weeks of travel leaves little room for extra checks.

After You Get the Visa

• Check visa “from” and “until” dates, the “duration of stay,” and entries (single or multiple).
• Carry printouts of your travel insurance, hotel confirmations, and return ticket. Border officers can ask to see them.
• Stick to your declared plan. Short trips beyond your visa dates or overstays risk trouble for future Schengen applications.

Tracking, Appeals, and Reapplying

• Track your file on the VFS portal using your reference and date of birth.
• If refused, you’ll receive reasons in writing. Fix the gaps—more funds, clearer travel plan, better proof of ties—and reapply.
• An appeal route may exist under Belgian rules, but appeals are usually slower than submitting a fresh, stronger application.
• For official short-stay policy details, see the Belgian Immigration Office: https://dofi.ibz.be/en/themes/entry-stay/visa-short-stay

Policy Changes on the Horizon

Two EU systems are rolling out in stages and can affect your trip experience:

• Entry/Exit System (EES): Planned for October 2025. This will replace passport stamping with biometric entry/exit records at the border—faster, more automated checks, but also strict compliance with stay limits.
• ETIAS: Expected in late 2026. ETIAS is an online travel authorization for visa-exempt visitors. It does not apply to Indian citizens seeking a visa, but non-Indian friends who are visa-exempt may need it before travel.

These won’t change your current need for a short-stay visa, but they will shape border checks and travel planning for everyone moving through Schengen.

Key takeaway: Apply in the 30–60 day window, organise documents tightly, and make sure your visa application form, bookings, and travel insurance line up perfectly.

Final Prep List You Can Follow Today

• Download and complete the official Application for Schengen Visa (print, sign).
• Buy travel insurance with at least €30,000 coverage for all Schengen states and all dates.
• Build a simple, honest itinerary with booked flights and hotels.
• Collect proof of funds, job/leave letters, and any family or property ties in India.
• Book a VAC slot early, especially for summer or year-end travel.
• Keep every receipt, form, and policy in one folder for the appointment.
• Be ready for a calm, short interview if called.

With early planning and a clean file, the Belgium tourist (Schengen) visa is well within reach. Apply in the 30–60 day window, organise your documents tightly, and make sure your visa application form, bookings, and travel insurance line up perfectly. That’s the steady, low-stress path to your Belgium getaway.