Schengen Countries and the Schengen Visa

Certain European countries have concluded an agreement regarding the opening of their borders to international visitors. In effect, a new type of visa — the Schengen Visa — has been introduced by the member countries. This visa covers a short-stay period of a maximum of 90 days (three months) within a six-month period and allows the holder to travel freely between all of the Schengen member states. The Schengen Visa is also referred to as Visa Type C.

Schengen countries

Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland

  • If you intend to visit only one Schengen country, you must apply at the Consulate or Embassy of that particular country.
  • If you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply at the Consulate or Embassy of the country which is your main destination.
  • If you intend to visit several Schengen countries but do not have a main destination, you must apply at the Consulate or Embassy of the country which is your first point of entry.
  • If you do not need a visa for the Schengen country which is your main destination or first point of entry, note that you may be required to have a visa for other Schengen countries you wish to visit. You should then apply at the Consulate or Embassy of the first Schengen country which does require you to have a visa.

Countries that are NOT required to issue a visa to enter Belgium for a short period of a maximum of three months

Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Estonia, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Korea (South), FYR of Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Switzerland, the United States of America, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela

Click here for more information about the Authorisation for Provisional Sojourn