Description
All applicants are required to personally submit their Schengen visa application on their scheduled appointment date.
Applicants who plan to visit the Schengen Area solely for tourism purposes, such as leisure, recreation, or sightseeing, and will arrange their own accommodation (hotel, hostel, B&B, camping, etc.), should apply as tourists.
Eligibility
To be eligible for submitting a Schengen visa application, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Possess a valid travel document and a valid UK residence permit.
- If the applicant holds a short-stay visa for the UK (C-type visa), they must apply for a Schengen visa from their country of residence.
- Apply for a short-term Schengen visa to France for purposes such as tourism (including minors), private visits, business, study/conference/seminar, EEA/EU and Swiss national family members, or other short-stay purposes.
Documents Required
All documents submitted must be in English, French, Dutch, or German. Foreign official documents must be legalized or carry an apostille unless an exemption is provided in a treaty. Detailed information about this requirement can be found on the SPF Foreign Affairs website.
Standard Documentation for Schengen Visa Application
Visa application form (original) – Please refer to the link provided.
Passport (Original):
To apply for a visa, you must possess a signed, full national private passport or an official travel document that was issued within the last 10 years. Additionally, your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the requested visa’s validity. It is important to have two blank pages side by side in your passport specifically designated for visa stickers. Lastly, your passport should be free from any damage and a copy of the bio page should also be provided.
Requirements for ID photos meeting ICAO standards include the following specifications:
• The photos should be attached using a paper clip.
• They must be in color and adhere to the UK passport size.
• The dimensions should be 3.5cm X 4.5cm.
• The background should be plain and white.
• Additionally, the photos should be no older than three months.
UK Residence Permit:
Submission of both the original and a copy of your valid UK residence permit is required. Please ensure the permit remains valid for at least one month beyond your intended departure date from the Schengen Zone.
To support your Schengen visa application, you need to provide the following documentation:
Proof of current occupation:
Employed: recent, official, and signed letter from employer (headed letter with name, position of signatory and date of issue, address, recent telephone number, and registration number in the United Kingdom) and/or pay slips for the last 3 months.
Self-Employed: A recent, official, and signed letter is required from an accountant, banker, or solicitor in the United Kingdom. The letter should include the name, date of issue, address, contact details, position of the signatory, and registration number. It should clearly state the nature of the self-employment or business ownership in the United Kingdom. Additionally, the letter must specify the annual salary received from the company.
Furthermore, it is necessary to provide a self-assessment form edited by revenue and customs authorities.
Students:
Recent, official, and signed letter from your school, college, or university in the United Kingdom. This letter should clearly state the date of issue, your full name as the applicant, the type of studies you are pursuing, the number of lessons (hours) per week, and your attendance record.
Minors: (children below 18 years)
- a) Birth certificate: Please provide a valid birth certificate for verification purposes.
For minors traveling alone or with only one parent, exceptions can be made if one parent possesses sole custody or a residence order for the child.
In such cases, the following additional documents are required:
- b) Original passports of both parents and a certified copy of the biodata page of their passports.
- c) Proof of consent of parental authority or legal guardian.
- d) British school certificate: Please provide a valid British school certificate to further establish the minor’s identity.
In the case of sole custody, the following documents must be submitted:
- a) Birth certificate mentioning one parent: This document should indicate the parent with sole custody.
- b) Certificate of absent parent: If one parent is absent, please provide a certificate or documentation to support this.
- c) Court ruling: If there is a court ruling granting sole custody, please provide the relevant legal documentation.
Proof of Accommodation / Private (family/friends) visit:
Provide either a hotel booking or rental agreement. If the sponsorship form has not been presented, the following documents are required:
- Copy of the biodata page of the host’s passport or residence permit in the Member State.
- Proof of (family) relationship.
Please note that all relevant information on the Belgian sponsorship form can be found HERE (in Dutch) and HERE (in French), which is available to your sponsor.
Proof of Funds:
UK current personal and business bank statements for the last three months with a healthy closing balance not older than 7 days
Proof of Travel
A confirmed return ticket to Belgium (by plane, ferry, bus, etc.).
Additionally, a reservation confirmation for an organized trip or any other document outlining the planned itinerary is required.
Travel Insurance (Comprehensive Medical Coverage)
A travel insurance that provides all-risk medical coverage. The insurance policy must clearly display the customer’s name and be valid throughout the entire Schengen Area. It must cover the entire duration of the customer’s intended stay in the Schengen Area. The minimum coverage for medical emergencies and repatriation, including the necessary clause, should amount to at least €30,000.
Photo Specification
Please submit one current color portrait of yourself that is no older than six months that satisfies the conditions listed below:
- Captured on a light background (white or off-white) to make features stand out and contrast with the background.
- Face-focused and of high clarity
- Full face: not grinning, no sunglasses, no hats or other head coverings, unless the applicant is wearing them due to his or her ethnicity or religion.
- Printed from a camera print on standard photographic paper.
- The photo that is adhered to the visa application form
The visa application will be deemed incomplete if the submitted photos don’t fulfill these specifications (see examples here), and the applicant will be asked to take fresh pictures in the photo booth at the visa application center.
Processing Time
You must submit your applications at least 15 calendar days before your planned departure date. However, applications can be introduced up to six months before your intended visit.
Once received at the Belgium Visa Application Centre in London, your applications will be promptly forwarded to the Embassy of Belgium for review and decision-making.
We strive to process applications within 10 working days from the date of receipt. In most cases, a decision can be expected even sooner, provided that all required documents are submitted in a complete file.
However, please be aware that in certain circumstances, the processing time may be extended. This can occur when additional documents are requested or if your application has been forwarded to the Immigration authorities in Belgium. In such cases, the processing time may take up to 85 calendar days.
Important Information – Please Read Carefully:
Authorization is required from the Immigration authorities in Belgium for individuals from the following nationalities: Afghanistan, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen, Palestine, and Refugees (UK Blue, Black, and Red travel documents).
Applicants who are not residents of the UK and hold a C Type visa should be aware that their application will take longer as it needs to be submitted to the Immigration authorities in Belgium. This process may take up to 85 calendar days.
Applications for marriage (to be conducted in Belgium) or cohabitation must be submitted as C-visa applications. However, please note that the processing time will be that of a long-stay visa (please refer to the information below).
During the visa application process, passports will be retained at the Embassy. If you have an urgent need for your passport, please contact the TLS center via email to request a temporary withdrawal.
Free Consultation
To proceed with your visa application, please fill out the attached sample form (PDF, Word) completely. If you are unsure about any information, leave it blank. Once you have completed the form, please return it to us along with your passport, BRP card/UK residency, and copies of any previous Schengen visas that you have held.
Please forward the documents through email: sales@globalvisaagent.co.uk
A consultation call will be scheduled after we have received this information to further discuss the application.
OR
After sending the documents you can call us at +442035001580.
We strictly follow the GDPR Policy, your documents will be handled/saved & deleted accordingly.