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Meta description: Belgian D visa for studies: where to apply, documents, $1,210 (€1,062) monthly proof of funds, fees from 1 July 2026, registration and A card.
Last modified: 2026-09-30

# Belgium Student Visa: Documents, Fees and Application Steps

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To study in Belgium for more than 90 days, non-EU students need a national D visa for studies. It is applied for at the Belgian embassy or consulate responsible for your country of residence, usually through its visa centre. The file includes the university's admission certificate, proof of funds of at least $1,210 (€1,062) per month for 2026/27 — $14,470 (€12,744) for the year — a medical certificate and a police certificate. From 1 July 2026 the visa fee is $280 (€250), and the Immigration Office charges a separate $290 (€251) administrative fee for study at a publicly recognised institution. Processing takes from about 15 days to several months.

This guide covers which visa fits which situation, where applicants from Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan and elsewhere apply, the document checklist used by the Belgian Embassy in Moscow, ways to prove your funds and what to do after arrival to obtain your residence card. How to get the admission letter is covered in [applying to Belgian universities](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-applying-to-belgian-universities), and the overall budget in [cost of studying in Belgium](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-belgium).

Brussels Airport in Zaventem. Photo: Jean Housen / [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:20180406_zaventem081.jpg), [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).

## Which visa you need {#section-1}

| Situation | Visa | Note |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bachelor's, master's or a preparatory year at a higher education institution | D visa for studies | used to enter and register; you then receive a residence card from the municipality |
| Entrance exam, medicine competition, arts admission test | short-stay C visa | requires proof of registration for the exam; not valid for study |
| Summer school or course up to 90 days | short-stay study C visa | VFS in Russia lists it as a separate category |
| Student holding a residence permit from France, Germany, the Netherlands or Luxembourg | may skip the D visa | according to the University of Antwerp, such students can apply for a limited "bijlage 33" document instead of a full residence permit |

You cannot enter on a tourist or other short-stay visa and switch to student status in Belgium. Study in Flanders explicitly advises students staying longer than 90 days not to enter on a short-stay visa.

## Where to apply {#section-2}

Russian citizens living in Russia. Belgian visa applications are lodged at the VFS Global visa centre; the embassy in Moscow receives visa visitors in person only in special cases such as diplomatic passports. The VFS checklist for students adds one more step: after lodging at the visa centre, applicants visit the embassy in person to complete a student questionnaire. In Moscow this can be done on the day of submission before 16:00; in other cities VFS staff explain the next step. Exchange students and holders of Belgian scholarships are exempt from the questionnaire; if you are unsure whether the step applies to you, write to the embassy at moscow.visa@diplobel.fed.be.

Other nationals living in Russia. Same channel, plus a valid residence permit, long-stay visa or registration proving legal stay in Russia.

Residents of Armenia. Since 27 April 2026, all long-stay D visas for residents of Armenia are handled by the Belgian Embassy in Yerevan.

Kazakhstan and other countries. Apply at the Belgian embassy or consulate responsible for your country of residence, or its visa centre; contact details are on the Belgian Foreign Affairs website.

Recent EU measures for Russian nationals concern short-stay visas. On 9 September 2022 the Council fully suspended the EU–Russia visa facilitation agreement (applied from 12.09.2022), so Russians pay the standard C visa fee — $100 (€90) in the Moscow embassy tariff of 01.02.2026 — and submit fuller supporting documents. A Commission decision published on 7 November 2025 limits multiple-entry short-stay visas for Russians who live and apply in Russia to narrow groups, such as close relatives of EU residents and transport workers. Neither affects national D visas, but if you travel for an entrance exam, expect a single-entry C visa.

## D visa documents: the Moscow embassy checklist {#section-3}

The embassy asks for one set of originals and two sets of single-sided A4 copies in the same order. Originals are returned, except the passport and documents that need legalisation.

1. Application form completed on Visa on Web, printed twice, dated and signed.
2. Passport with at least two blank pages; the copy sets include every page with visas and stamps.
3. Copy of the Russian internal passport, or proof of legal residence in Russia for other nationals.
4. Two recent colour passport photos.
5. Proof of payment of the Immigration Office administrative fee, unless exempt.
6. Enrolment certificate on the standard form set by ministerial decree of 28 March 2022, issued by the Belgian institution.
7. The school certificate or degree giving access to higher education in Belgium, or a certificate from your current school if it is not yet issued. It does not need legalisation for the visa.
8. For a French-speaking institution: the equivalence decision, or proof of the equivalence application with the service's acknowledgement.
9. Proof of sufficient means, using one of the options below.
10. Medical certificate no older than six months; the list of medical centres accredited by the embassy is published on the VFS site.
11. Health insurance: proof of membership of a Belgian health insurance fund (mutuelle) or a travel policy covering at least $34,070 (€30,000) for at least three months.
12. Police certificate for applicants aged 18 or over, no older than six months, apostilled and translated.
13. For minors: notarised consent of both parents, translated and apostilled, with a copy of the birth certificate.

Documents not in Dutch, French, German or English need a certified translation into one of these languages. The embassy may request additional documents.

## How to prove your funds {#section-4}

The 2026/27 minimum is $1,210 (€1,062) net per month and is revised annually. Four options are accepted:

| Option | What to provide | Suits |
| --- | --- | --- |
| University blocked account | a university certificate that 12 × $1,210 (€1,062) = $14,470 (€12,744) has been deposited, released in instalments | self-funded students; ULiège, for example, offers such a deposit |
| Deposit with a specialised company | the same with Studely or Ready Study Go International | the only option for private institutions |
| Scholarship | a certificate of at least $1,210 (€1,062) a month from a government, region, institution or international body | scholarship holders; the WBI MASTER IN grant explicitly qualifies |
| Sponsor (Annex 32) | a sponsor's undertaking with a legalised signature | sponsors with net income of at least $3,670 (€3,235.88) a month |

The sponsor threshold is $2,470 (€2,173.88) for the sponsor plus $1,210 (€1,062) for the student. The Belgian government has announced stricter sponsor rules, including a sponsor database and a list of unreliable sponsors, so check this route carefully on your application date. If the deposit comes from Russia, choose a permitted transfer route; the options are in our guide on [paying for studies abroad from Russia](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-how-to-pay-for-studies-abroad-from-russia).

## How much the D visa application costs {#section-5}

The amounts below apply to applications for the 2026/27 academic year; both government fees are reviewed periodically.

| Fee | Amount | How it is paid |
| --- | --- | --- |
| D visa fee | $280 (€250) from 1 July 2026; the Moscow embassy tariff of 01.02.2026 still listed $200 (€180) | at the visa centre, in roubles at the embassy rate in Russia; check the current tariff on VFS |
| Immigration Office administrative fee | $290 (€251) for a state-recognised institution; $270 (€242) for private ones | bank transfer to Belgium before applying; not refunded if refused |
| Visa centre service fee | set by the visa centre | at submission |

Holders of scholarships from the Belgian government, Belgian institutions or international organisations in Belgium are exempt from the visa fee; minors and WBI grant holders are exempt from the administrative fee. The administrative fee is updated once a year.

## Steps and timing {#section-6}

1. Receive the admission letter and the standard-form certificate from your institution.
2. Secure your funds in a blocked account or arrange another accepted proof.
3. Get the medical certificate from an accredited centre and order the police certificate — both are valid for six months.
4. Pay the administrative fee to the Immigration Office and keep the proof.
5. Complete the form on Visa on Web and book a visa centre appointment.
6. Lodge the file and, if you apply in Russia, complete the student questionnaire at the embassy.
7. Wait for the decision: a complete long-stay file takes from 15 days to several months; complex cases are referred to the Immigration Office in Brussels.

Study in Flanders recommends starting as early as possible: appointment slots fill quickly in peak months, and a normal procedure can easily take six to eight weeks.

## After arrival: registration and residence card {#section-7}

The D visa lets you enter. To stay legally for your studies, you must register:

- within eight days of arrival, report to the municipality where you live (some cities, such as Antwerp, let you apply through the university);
- receive a temporary document, Annex 15;
- wait for the police residence check — put your name on both doorbell and mailbox;
- after a positive check, apply for the electronic foreigner's card, type A.

In Brussels, for example, registration costs $28 (€25) plus $11 (€10) for Annex 15, and the procedure can take up to three months. Join a Belgian health insurance fund soon after arrival.

Student A cards are usually valid for one year. Renewal must be requested no later than 15 days before expiry, and the University of Antwerp advises applying six to eight weeks ahead: late applications are declared inadmissible and you would have to return home for a new visa. Renewal again requires proof of funds and enrolment; in Antwerp, also enrolment for at least 54 ECTS.

## Work and staying after graduation {#section-8}

The A card allows part-time work: no more than 20 hours a week while classes run, unlimited hours in holidays, except the summer before your first year. For a general overview of life and study in the country, see [studying in Belgium](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-belgium). After graduating you can apply for an orientation year: a 12-month permit to look for work or start a business, requested from the municipality before your student permit expires.

## Common reasons for delays and refusals {#section-9}

- Certificates older than six months. Medical and police certificates must be current on the application date.
- No equivalence proof for a French-speaking institution.
- A sponsor with insufficient income or without a legalised signature.
- Uncertified translations. Documents in Russian are accepted only with certified translations.
- Unpaid administrative fee. Without proof of payment the file is inadmissible.
- Applying at the last minute. With less than a month before classes, the decision may not arrive in time.

## FAQ {#faq}

### Where do Russian citizens apply for a Belgian student visa?

In Russia, through the VFS Global visa centre. According to the VFS checklist, after lodging the file applicants visit the Belgian Embassy in Moscow in person to complete a student questionnaire: the same day before 16:00 if you file in Moscow, while VFS explains the procedure in other cities. Residents of Armenia have applied for D visas at the Belgian Embassy in Yerevan since 27 April 2026.

### How much does a Belgian student visa cost?

From 1 July 2026 the D visa fee is $280 (€250), plus the Immigration Office administrative fee of $290 (€251) for study at a recognised institution. Add the visa centre service fee, the medical examination, certificates, translations and apostilles.

### How much money do I need in my account?

For 2026/27, at least $1,210 (€1,062) a month, or $14,470 (€12,744) for the year in a blocked account. Alternatively, a scholarship of the same amount or a sponsor with net income of at least $3,670 (€3,235.88) a month.

### How long does processing take?

According to the visa centre, from 15 days to several months for a complete and correct file. Referral to the Immigration Office in Brussels adds time, so apply as soon as you receive your admission letter.

### Is there an interview at the embassy?

According to the VFS checklist, everyone applying in Russia for study or a preparatory course at a Belgian institution must visit the embassy in person to complete a student questionnaire. Exchange students and holders of Belgian scholarships are exempt.

### Can my family come with me?

Family members need their own family reunification visa with separate documents and fees. Check the Immigration Office conditions, including income and housing requirements, before applying.

## Sources {#section-11}

- [Belgian Embassy in Russia: visa information](https://russia.diplomatie.belgium.be/ru/poezdka-v-belgiyu/viza-v-belgiyu) and [transfer of consular competence to Yerevan](https://russia.diplomatie.belgium.be/ru/perekhod-konsulskikh-polnomochiy) — checked 29.09.2026
- [VFS Global, Belgium visa centre in Russia: visa types and processing times](https://www.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/belgium/russia/russian/index.html), ["public higher education" checklist (PDF)](https://www.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/belgium/russia/russian/pdf/study-in-public-higher-education.pdf), [fee tariff of 01.02.2026 (PDF)](https://www.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/belgium/russia/russian/pdf/Belgium-Visas-Fees-01-02-2026.pdf) — checked 29.09.2026
- [Embassy of Belgium in Japan: visa fees and exemptions](http://japan.diplomatie.belgium.be/en/travel-belgium/visa-belgium/steps-apply/visa-handling-fees), [2026 administrative fee (PDF)](https://japan.diplomatie.belgium.be/sites/default/files/2026-01/Administrative%20fee.pdf) — checked 29.09.2026
- [KPMG, 29.07.2026: D visa fee raised to $280 (€250)](https://kpmg.com/xx/en/our-insights/gms-flash-alert/2026/flash-alert-2026-198.html) — checked 29.09.2026
- [EMN Belgium: $1,210 (€1,062) monthly minimum and planned sponsor rules](https://emnbelgium.be/news/minister-raises-minimum-financial-requirements-non-eu-students-belgium) — checked 29.09.2026
- [Bruxelles-J: administrative fee, sponsors, private institutions](https://www.bruxelles-j.be/etudier-se-former/venir-etudier-en-belgique/acces-au-sejour-pour-venir-etudier-en-belgique-etrangers-hors-eee/), [Infor Jeunes: administrative fee](https://www.jeminforme.be/redevance-pour-sejour-en-belgique/) — checked 29.09.2026
- [Study in Flanders: visa requirements](https://www.studyinflanders.be/practical-information/visa-requirements), [work and study](https://www.studyinflanders.be/practical-information/work-and-study), [orientation year](https://www.studyinflanders.be/after-your-studies) — checked 29.09.2026
- [Study in Belgium: working while studying and after](https://www.studyinbelgium.be/en/working-while-studying-french-speaking-belgium), [WBI MASTER IN financial terms](https://www.studyinbelgium.be/en/financial-support-master-wbi-grants) — checked 29.09.2026
- [Council of the EU, 09.09.2022: full suspension of visa facilitation with Russia](https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2022/09/09/council-adopts-full-suspension-of-visa-facilitation-with-russia/) — checked 29.09.2026
- [European Commission: decision on multiple-entry visas for Russian nationals, published 07.11.2025](https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/commission-implementing-decision-establishing-rules-issuing-multiple-entry-visas-russian-nationals_en) — checked 29.09.2026
- [University of Antwerp: residence permit](https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/life-in-antwerp/visa-and-permits/students/non-eea-nationals/residencepermit/) and [extension](https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/life-in-antwerp/visa-and-permits/students/non-eea-nationals/residencepermit-extension/) — checked 29.09.2026
- [City of Brussels: student registration with a D visa](https://www.brussels.be/non-eu-citizen-student-registration-d-visa) — checked 29.09.2026
- [ULiège: blocked-account deposit for non-EU students](https://www.enseignement.uliege.be/cms/c_13939496/fr/etudiant-hors-ue) — checked 29.09.2026
- Dollar conversions follow the ECB rate of 29.09.2026, €1 = $1.1355; we round to the dollar below $100 and to $10 above.

Document checks, translations and visa application support are provided under an agreement with StudyU. Visa decisions are made by the Belgian embassy and the Immigration Office; residence permits by the municipality and the Immigration Office.

[During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply)

## Next steps

- [Applying to Belgian Universities: Steps, Documents and Deadlines for International Students](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-applying-to-belgian-universities)
- [Cost of Studying in Belgium in 2026/27: Tuition, Living Costs and a First-Year Budget](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-belgium)
- [How to Pay for Studies Abroad from Russia: What Works in 2026](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-how-to-pay-for-studies-abroad-from-russia)
- [Studying in Belgium for international applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-belgium)
- [Bachelor's Degree in Belgium for International Students: Admission After School, Language and Cost](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-bachelors-in-belgium)
- [Master's Degree in Belgium for International Students: English-Taught Programmes, Requirements and Cost](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-masters-in-belgium)

Updated: September 2026