If you are a non-European foreign student and you come to study in Belgium, you will often hear about the D visa and the student residence permit (A card). These two documents are complementary, but they perform very distinct functions. Here's what you need to understand.
The D visa is a long-stay visa issued by the Belgian embassy or consulate in your country of origin. It allows you to legally enter Belgium for a period of more than 90 days, as part of higher studies.
To obtain it, you must first receive an admission from a Belgian university or university. Your registration card or admission certificate will be required when applying. Among the key criteria: a valid passport, proof of financial resources (about 835 €/month on a Account blocked), health insurance and, depending on the country, a medical certificate.
The procedure is carried out at the Belgian consulate or embassy in your country: after submitting the file, allow for a processing time of 4 to 6 weeks. Once the visa is granted, you will have to register with the Belgian municipality in The next eight days your arrival on site.
The Visa D Is it your official admission ticket In Belgium, but once there, it is no longer enough to remain in good standing. The residence permit is the card that proves that you can study, work part-time and access local services (banking, housing, insurance). Without it, you will no longer have legal status as soon as the expiry of Visa D, even if you have already packed your bags.
To get it, you must go to the municipality of residence within 8 days that follow your arrival. There, we will take your fingerprints, give you a form and announce the withdrawal date. Count around 4 to 6 weeks to receive this precious sesame, which is generally valid for one year and renewable until the end of your studies.
In practice, D visa and residence permit are complementary: the first opens the door to Belgium for you, the second allows you to live there and to invest fully in it. Remember to start the procedure from your first week on Belgian soil to avoid any administrative setbacks.
Get a Visa D and a residence permit in Belgium may seem long, but by following these clear steps, you gain peace of mind.
Before you leave (embassy/consulate)
Gather your file: valid passport, university acceptance letter, proof of resources (10,020€ for bank deposit (Account blocked), .
Submit your file and pay the fees: approximately 180€ to be expected, variable according to the local currency.
After your arrival (Belgian municipality)
Arriving in Belgium may seem like a challenge, but a few simple actions make all the difference. Start by booking your ticket and checking the validity of your passport and Visa D: arriving 1 to 2 weeks before school gives you time to settle in without stress. From your first week, make an appointment at the municipality to register (passport, visa, proof of housing, insurance certificate): this national number will be valuable for social security and for opening a bank account. On site, optimize your budget by cooking yourself, by opting for a STIB/TEC subscription card and taking advantage of student discounts.
Upstream, discover support programs and scholarships ( ARES,Studely ). Manage your budget at no cost with the Studely payment account.
.svg)
.png)
