Brussels

Study in Brussels

To study in Belgium, it is necessary to apply for a temporary residence permit for study (Autorisation de Séjour Provisoire pour études/Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf voor studies) from the Belgian embassy/consulate in your country. This permit can only be submitted in your home country or visa office responsible for your country of residence and can take up to 3 months so apply well in advance.

You will need to provide:

1. Passport/Travel document with space for a visa to be added and valid for at least 3 months after leaving Belgium
2. Visa application form http://www.diplomatie.be/en/pdf/visa.pdf filled out correctly, signed and with two recent passport sized photographs.
3. Enrollment confirmation for a full course in a Belgian tertiary institute, or proof of registration for admission exam.
4. A pledge of financial support from the guarantor obtained from eitherthe municipality of residence of the guarantor in Belgium, or if not a Belgian resident, the document may be requested from the embassy/consulate where the application is made. The guarantor must have a regular income, sufficient means of subsistence, and stand surety for health, residence and repatriation costs for at least one academic year. In 2010-2011 this is at least 750€ for guarantor’s expenses, 569€ for the student’s expenses and 150€ per dependent of guarantor and student. Evidence is required to show the family composition of the guarantor and the student and the benefits they receive. Once authenticated by the municipal authorities or embassy/consulate, the pledge may be submitted along with copies of the guarantor’s last three pay slips.
5. A medical certificate http://www.diplomatie.be/en/pdf/medischattesten.pdf filled out by a doctor approved by the embassy or consulate no older than six months.
6. A certificate/document of good conduct (or local equivalent) if over 21 (or 18 if going to a private university) no more than six months before the the application covering the last five years, obtainable from the FBI or equivalent depending on country.
7. Transport arrangements, eg return air tickets. May often be submitted once application is approved.

Additional documentation may be requested by the embassy once the application is being reviewed. Documents issued outside Belgium must be legalized or be accompanied by an apostille depending on which country you are coming from unless there is a treaty exempting this process. This information can be obtained by asking the embassy/consulate handling your case. All documents not in Dutch, French, German or English must also be translated by a sworn translator.