-
Last updated on
More detailed information can be found on the website of the Immigration Office.
A Belgian Citizen may, under certain conditions, be accompanied or joined by a family member, in accordance with article 40ter of the Act of 15 December 1980.
All documents must be introduced in 1 single file of original documents.
Applicants (family members applying for family reunification under article 40ter) must provide the following documents:
- visa application form (dated and signed) + recent passport photograph;
- a valid international passport with a validity of minimum 1 year + photocopy of national ID-card;
- proof of payment of the administrative fee (except for applicants younger than 18);
- a photocopy of the identity card of the Belgian citizen;
- proof that the Belgian national has health insurance;
- proof that the Belgian national has sufficient housing;
- proof that the Belgian national has stable, regular, and sufficient means of subsistence.
- Please note that this proof is not required for direct descendants under the age of majority if such descendant accompanies or joins alone the Belgian citizen.
- Please note that this proof is not required for direct descendants under the age of majority if such descendant accompanies or joins alone the Belgian citizen.
+ Depending on the applicable family link, applicants must also provide the following documents:
A. The spouse:
- proof of Marriage i.e., the marriage certificate and translation;
- a copy of the power of attorney if this marriage was concluded by proxy;
- if the applicant or the Belgian national being joined remarries, or in the case of a new relationship, the persons concerned must provide evidence of the dissolution of the previous marriage or relationship (divorce certificate, death certificate of the spouse or partner, etc.) in addition to evidence of the (new) marriage or partnership;
- proof that the spouses are at least 21 years of age (or 18 years if the marriage already existed before the application for family reunification was submitted).
B. The direct descendants in the descending line, as well as those of his spouse or partner, under the age of 18 or who are dependent on them in their country of origin or provenance:
- proof of descent from the Belgian national, spouse or partner;
- proof that the applicant is younger than 18 years old or dependent upon the Belgian national being joined and his/her spouse or partner in the country of origin or provenance;
- proof of parental authority.
Reminder: Please note that direct descendants under the age of majority accompanying or joining a Belgian Citizen without the other parent are exempted from the requirement to provide proof that the Belgian national has stable, regular, and sufficient means of subsistence.
C.Direct ascendant relatives in the first degree who exercise parental authority, including custody rights, over a minor Belgian citizen:
- proof of parenthood;
- proof of minority of the Belgian citizen;
- proof of parental authority;
- proof of accompaniment or joining.
The applicant must accompany or join the Belgian minor in Belgium.
Any means of proof is accepted such as an air ticket or transport ticket, invitation to accompany or join the Belgian minor, proof that the applicant and the Belgian minor live under the same roof, etcetera.
1. Language of documents submitted as part of a visa application
Official documents must be in English, French, Dutch or German. If your document is established in Urdu, or any other foreign language, you must have it translated by a certified translator in Belgium. Certified translators can be found on the website of the Federal Public Service Justice.
2. Requirements for official Pakistani documents
Apostille as part of visa applications. All official Pakistani documents as part of a visa application file for long stay have to get an apostille from the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs first (however, for diplomas, degrees and transcripts, please see below). More information can be found on the Apostille website created by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Pakistan. Once the visa applicant has all the necessary apostilles, he/she can submit a complete visa file with the application form and all the supporting documents.
3. Requirements for official Afghan documents
We do not currently legalize any Afghan documents. Documents submitted as part of a visa application will be accepted in the state in which they are presented to us.
4. Procedure regarding fingerprints
Fingerprints will be collected for all visa applications (short stay (type C) and long stay (type D)). This concerns all applicants from the age of 12 (C visa) or 6 (D visa). Applicants will have to come in person to the Visa Application Center of VFS/Gerry’s International for the collection of their fingerprints.
Exceptions are foreseen for the following applicants:
- persons for whom the collection of fingerprints is physically impossible (e.g. because of a physical impairment);
- diplomatic and consular personnel accredited to an Embassy or Consulate of their country in Belgium, as well as their family members, in possession of a diplomatic or official passport.
5. All fees (handling fees or consular fees) are to be paid to VFS/Gerry's International.
Nobody (staff, lawyers, private consultants or travel agencies) is entitled to charge any amount of money directly to the applicant except for VFS/Gerry's international offices or the Embassy.
6. The Embassy strongly advises caution when using the services of agents or consultants to prepare a visa application.
Our website contains all official and necessary information to help you prepare a correct and complete file.
By preparing your file yourself, you maintain full control on the quality of the documents you will be presenting. You also assure yourself that no false information or documentation is given.
The Embassy also wishes to emphasize they are not working together with any travel agent or consultant.
