Belgium Business Visa Application Process

The Belgium business visa is a short-term C type visa that covers foreign nationals' visit to Belgium for commercial purposes such as attending business meetings and signing contracts, provided that it is no longer than 90 days within 6 months.

Belgian business visa holders do not have the right to stay in Belgium for a long time, such as to carry out professional activities and to have a job. Belgian business visa applicants are obliged to guarantee their return to their country, as is the case with some Belgian visa applications.

What are the Belgium Business Visa Requirements?

The requirements that must be met for Belgian business visa applicants are listed below.

Receiving an invitation letter from a company located in Belgium
The company or institution sending its employee to Belgium must have an assignment letter stating the employee's information and travel details.
To prove that the sent worker has the obligations and competencies that can guarantee his return to his country.

How to Apply for a Belgium Business Visa?

The steps to be followed in the Belgian business visa application process are listed below.

The Belgian business visa application form is filled out online: By creating an account on the VisaOnWeb website, the information must be filled in completely and accurately in the requested format.
Making an appointment for a Belgian business visa: In order to complete the visa application process, an appointment must be made at an authorized visa application center. The visa appointment includes the submission of biometric (fingerprint) information and the delivery of the required documents. Applicants who have given fingerprints for a Schengen visa application in the last 59 months do not need to give fingerprints again.
The Belgian business visa application fee is paid: For applications made online, payment must be made at a visa application center authorized by Belgium, together with the service fee, in addition to the visa fees, if payment transactions cannot be made through the Belgian visa system.
Necessary documents are submitted: All documents required for a Belgian business visa must be submitted by the applicant personally to the visa application centre.
Belgian business visa applications are tracked: Visa application results can be checked from the system where Belgian business visa transactions are carried out.

What are the Required Documents for a Belgium Business Visa?

The documents and paperwork required for a Belgian business visa are listed below.

A valid passport and a copy : The passport to be used for the Belgian business visa must not be older than 10 years, must be valid for 3 months from the planned departure date in the Schengen areas, and must have at least 2 blank pages for the visa application. A copy of the passport must be provided for the Belgian business visa, excluding the blank pages.
Copy of ID card : A copy of the Republic of Turkey ID card must be obtained and submitted if requested during the visa application.
Belgium business visa application form : All information in the application form must be filled out completely, signed and correctly in French, Dutch, German or English. The information required for the Belgium Business visa application form can be filled out online without paying any fee.
2 biometric photographs : 2 biometric photographs, not older than 6 months, in colour, with a white background, 35 mm wide and 45 mm long, in compliance with the biometric specifications, must be attached to the Belgian business visa application form.
Language preference form : The applicant has the right to choose one of the three official languages of Belgium, French, German and Dutch. For applications in English, the language preference form can be filled out using the "No Preference" option.
Travel health insurance policy : For a Belgian business visa, a valid travel health insurance obtained from the Schengen areas, showing the entire duration of the trip and with a minimum coverage of 30,000 Euros is required.
Original of the assignment letter written by the employer : The official company assignment letter with the seal, signature and date must be submitted with an English translation. The assignment document must include the company's address, telephone and fax numbers; the name and position of the company's authorized signatory; the applicant's position, salary and length of service; the purpose of the visit; confirmation that the applicant will continue his/her duty upon return from the trip; the name of the person or organization that will cover the employee's travel and living expenses; a copy of the company's signature circular, Chamber of Commerce registration, a copy of the Trade Registry Gazette and tax certificate; the applicant's SSI entry declaration, A4 service record and the last 3 months' pay slips.
Proof of financial sufficiency : In cases where the employee's company covers travel and living expenses, the financial sufficiency of the company or employer; in cases where the travel and living expenses are covered by the applicant; personal financial sufficiency, last three months' bank statements that are not from deposit accounts, bank statements that are not from credit cards, salary, etc., current bank account statements where regular income can be seen must be attached to the Belgian business visa application.
Invitation letter from the reference : The full address and contact information of the company on official company paper with seal and signature; the name and position of the authorized signatory; the purpose and duration of the visit; the name of the person or organization that will cover the travel and living expenses; whether the sponsor provides financial guarantee for the return to Turkey must be clearly stated in the invitation letter from the reference. Scanned invitation letters sent via e-mail are considered as original letters.
Work permit (If required): A work permit is required for some companies that receive an invitation from Belgium.
Flight reservation : For business travel to Belgium, a round-trip flight ticket reservation must be submitted.
Proof of accommodation : The Belgian business visa applicant must clearly state the planned duration of stay and all contact details of the accommodation.
Other required documents : Applicants for a Belgian business visa must provide a guarantee of return. In order to obtain a guarantee of return; a document showing family history, a document showing professional and socio-economic status, a declaration of land and real estate ownership, a declaration of family ties in the country of citizenship, a declaration of the candidate's or spouse's regular income and source of income, and a declaration of the property and assets owned must be submitted during the application.

How to Write a Belgium Business Visa Petition Sample?

Applicants for a Belgian business visa must write a petition in the official language on a clean A4 sheet of paper, in accordance with the petition writing formats.

The visa application must be written on the company's letterhead (with the company name printed) and addressed to the Belgian Consulate. In the Belgian business visa application; the name of the employee sent by the sponsor, the company or organization he works for, the visit must be clearly stated that the visit is for commercial purposes, and that the financial expenses for the travel and return will be covered by the company.

The earliest possible return date should be included in the petition along with the travel date. In the visa petition, the validity of the visa should be added to the petition and an authorized person other than the applicant should sign the petition at the very end. Since e-signatures are not accepted in petitions written via computer, a wet signature is required. A notarized translation of petitions written in Turkish should be submitted along with the original petition.

How Much Is the Belgium Business Visa Fee?

Belgium business visa fees are given in the table below.

Services	Fees
Belgium business visa fee	80 EUR
Filling out the application form and petition	24 EUR
Meeting	10 EUR
Biometrics operations	30 EUR
Consulting service	40 EUR
Total	184 EUR

Can I Establish a Company in Belgium with a Belgian Business Visa?

A Belgian business visa does not allow the establishment of a company in Belgium. The Belgian business visa allows holders to stay in Belgium for short periods of time, less than 90 days, for commercial purposes.

People who want to establish a company in Belgium need a Belgian immigration visa for long-term stays in Belgium, such as working, studying and retiring; and a type B work visa, which must be renewed after 12 months and has a sponsor to work in a specific field.

Citizens of third countries such as Turkey, who are over 18 years of age (over 16 for craftsmen) can set up their own business in Belgium if they have a residence permit together with an immigration or type B work visa. Depending on the area in which the company will be established, people wishing to establish a company may need to prove their competence in certain areas.

What Rights Does Establishing a Company in Belgium Provide?

Establishing a company in Belgium provides many rights for Turkish citizens. Establishing a company in Belgium is subject to an affordable taxation tariff. Companies that meet certain conditions and restructure their taxes may be exempt from withholding tax.

In Belgium, as in other countries, a residence permit can be obtained through investment, and investors and entrepreneurs who establish a company can also gain citizenship under certain conditions through investment.

If a company owner has a residence in Belgium, they can travel without having to complete the time they are required to live in Belgium. Company owners who have a residence permit in Belgium are entitled to travel up to 90 days without a visa to the European Union. Foreign entrepreneurs who want to start a business in Belgium have the same legal rights as entrepreneurs who are Belgian citizens.

How Many Days Does It Take to Get a Belgium Business Visa?

Belgium business visa applications are finalized within an average of 7 to 15 days.

The approval period for a Belgian business visa may be extended due to the workload of consulates, international and national holidays, and changing diplomatic and political situations.

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