Belgium Family & Friend Visit

Belgium Family and Friend Visit Visa (Type C Schengen)

The Belgium family and friend visit visa is a short-stay (Type C) Schengen visa for Turkish citizens who wish to visit family members, relatives, or friends legally residing in Belgium. This visa grants the holder the right to stay in Belgium and other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. The cornerstone of the application is an official invitation from the host in Belgium. Properly managing the process, especially the thorough completion of the invitation procedure, is critical for a positive application outcome.

What is the Difference Between a Belgium Family Visit Visa and a Family Reunification Visa?

While these two visa types are often confused, their purposes and scopes are entirely different. The Belgium family visit visa is a Schengen visa (Type C) designed for short-term visits. Its purpose is to allow you to spend time with your family in Belgium for a maximum of 90 days, and it does not grant you the right to settle or work. In contrast, the Belgium family reunification visa (Type D National Visa) is for long-term stays, intended for those who wish to permanently join a family member living in Belgium. The requirements, process, and documents for this visa are much more extensive and different. This guide covers only the short-term family and friend visit visa.

Application Requirements for the Belgium Family and Friend Visit Visa

The applicant is expected to meet the general and specific requirements set by the Belgian Consulate. The main requirements are as follows:

• Valid Invitation: A mandatory official invitation (Annex 3bis / Annexe 3bis) issued and approved by the municipality of the host in Belgium must be submitted.
• Financial Sufficiency: The applicant must provide documents such as bank statements and pay slips to prove they can cover their travel expenses. If the host will cover the expenses, this must be indicated on the invitation, and the host must include their financial documents.
• Intention to Return: It is important for the applicant to provide strong evidence of their intention to return to Turkey before the visa expires (e.g., proof of employment, family ties, property ownership).
• Travel Health Insurance: A travel health insurance policy with a minimum coverage of €30,000, valid for the entire Schengen area, must be obtained.

The Invitation Letter for a Belgian Visa (Annex 3bis / Annexe 3bis)

The most crucial document for a Belgian visit visa application is the invitation. This is not a simple letter but an official form that the host obtains from their local municipality (gemeente/commune) in Belgium. This form is also known as "Pledge of Sponsorship / Verpflichtung zur Übernahme der Kosten / Engagement de Prise en Charge" and is referred to as "Annex 3bis" or "Annexe 3bis".

The process is as follows:

1. The inviting person obtains this form from their municipality.
2. They fill out the form completely. If they will sponsor the visitor's expenses (act as a guarantor), they check the relevant section on the form.
3. They get the completed form approved by the municipality. The municipality verifies the host's identity and signature. If a sponsorship is involved, they may also check the host's financial solvency.
4. The original, stamped, and approved document must be sent by post to the applicant in Turkey. The original document is required for the application.

Required Documents for the 2026 Belgium Visit Visa

The list of documents to be submitted to the Belgian Consulate may vary depending on the applicant's professional status. Below is a list of the core documents required from all applicants and additional documents based on professional status. It is critical that all documents are up-to-date and complete.

1. Standard Documents (For All Applicants)

These are the mandatory documents that every applicant must prepare. Attention should be paid to details such as the passport's validity period and the specifications for the biometric photo.

2. Additional Documents Based on Professional Status

In addition to the standard documents, you must include documents appropriate to your profession to prove your social and economic ties to Turkey.

• Employees: Letter of leave from employer, SGK service record, last 3 months' payslips.
• Company Owners/Partners: Company documents (tax plate, signature circular, trade registry gazette), Bağ-Kur service record.
• Students: Current student certificate, documents of the sponsor covering the expenses.
• Retirees: Retirement certificate, bank statement.
• Unemployed persons: Financial and professional documents of the sponsor who will cover travel expenses.

3. Documents Required from the Inviting Person in Belgium

These documents, which form the basis of the application file, prove the validity of the invitation and the host's status.

• Original municipality-approved invitation letter (Annex 3bis).
• Photocopy of the inviter's Belgian ID card or passport.
• If the inviter is not an EU citizen, a photocopy of their Belgian residence permit card.
• If the inviter is covering the expenses (guarantor), their last 3 months' pay slips and other documents showing their income.

When to Apply for a Belgium Family Visit Visa?

It is recommended to apply for a Belgian Schengen visa no earlier than 6 months and no later than 15 working days (about 3 weeks) before the planned travel date. Considering the consulate's busy periods (summer months, public holidays, New Year), applying at least 4-6 weeks in advance is important to avoid potential delays.

Processing Time for Belgium Visa Applications

The evaluation process begins after the application file reaches the Belgian Consulate. The legal processing time is 15 working days. However, this period may be extended depending on the consulate's workload, public holidays, or whether additional documents are requested for your file. It should be noted that this period can extend up to 30 days, especially during the summer.

Your Belgium Family Visit Visa Application with Hermes Vize

Managing the complex process of your Belgium family and friend visit visa application with professional support saves time by minimizing potential errors. At Hermes Vize, our expert team, knowledgeable about current regulations, guides you at every step, from checking the Annex 3bis invitation to booking your appointment. Contact us to start your application process confidently and completely.