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A. Where to apply for a visa ?
Visa applications must be lodged from your country of residence. You should apply from Canada only if you are a temporary or a permanent resident in Canada or if you hold a travel document issued by Canada, for instance if you are a protected person. Applications by non-residents can only be accepted in duly justified cases of force majeure.
In Canada, your contact point is the Consulate General of Belgium in Montreal.
The Consulate General is the exclusive provider of visa services in Canada for short stay and long stay visas for Belgium.
Therefore, no queries related to visas should be sent to the Embassy of Belgium in Ottawa or to Belgian Honorary Consulates. Moreover, no private service provider is authorized to process visa applications for Belgium in Canada.
Do I need to make an appointment at the Consulate General?
- Short stay visas
In principle, an appointment is necessary.
However, holders of a previous Schengen visa whose biometric data can be copied from the Schengen Visa Information System (valid for up to 59 months) are not required to make an appointment. If this applies to you, complete the online application form, skip the appointment process and send your complete file by post to the Consulate General. A copy of your previous Schengen visa must be included in your application, along with two recent passport photos and the appropriate payment by certified cheque, bank draft or postal order.
- Long stay visas
No appointment is necessary. Fill in the online application form, skip the appointment, and send your complete file by post to the Consulate General.
B. What type of visa do I need?
1. Airport Transit
An Airport Transit Visa (ATV = Type-A Visa) is a visa valid for transiting through the international transit areas of one airport of the Schengen Member States, including Brussels-National Airport (Zaventem). This visa allows foreigners specifically subject to this requirement to pass through the international transit zone of an airport, without entering the national territory of the country concerned, during a stopover or transfer between two legs of an international flight.
This visa does not enable entry into the Schengen area.
Do I need an Airport Transit Visa?
The following categories of travelers benefit from an exemption and do not need an Airport Transit Visa:
- Canadian citizens;
- Permanent residents of Canada traveling with a valid Permanent resident card;
- Travelers with a valid visa for Canada, who are traveling to or returning from Canada;
- Holders of a diplomatic passport;
- Family members of an EU citizen.
If you have to leave the international airport transit zone (changing terminal or leaving the airport) or if you are transiting through more than 1 airport in the Schengen area (multiple stop-overs in European airports), you must apply for a Schengen visa.
For further information on transits in Belgium, please check our page about the airport transit visa.
2. Short Stay (< 90 days) - Schengen
Any stay of maximum 90 days in Belgium is considered a "Short stay".
If you wish to stay in Belgium for up to 90 days in any 180 days period, you may have to apply for a Schengen visa (Short stay visa or Type-C visa), depending on your nationality.
Do I need a Short stay visa?
- Nationals subject to a short stay visa: list of third countries
- Canadian citizens: Canadians are exempt from Schengen visa. Travel is authorised for up to 90 days over 180 days in the Schengen area without a visa.
- Refugees or undetermined nationality: bearers of a travel document for Refugees or a Certificate of identity issued by Canada are subject to a short stay visa if they wish to travel to Belgium.
- Diplomatic and service passports: exceptions and special categories
Determine the duration of your stay
If you have recently traveled to the Schengen area, please mind the above-mentioned rule of 90/180 days: the Schengen Calculator will help you prepare your next trips or visa application.
3. Long Stay (> 90 days) - Belgium
Any stay of more than 90 days in Belgium is considered a "Long stay".
You will have to apply for a "Long stay" visa (also called Type-D visa). Application procedures vary depending on the category of the visa. Go to the "Long stay visa" page. Determine the category corresponding to your situation. Then prepare your application file with the necessary supporting documents.
C. Apply for a visa
To apply for a short-stay visa for Belgium, visit our short-stay page.
To apply for a long-stay visa for Belgium, visit our long-stay page.
