How to Apply for Belgium Dependent Visa for Family Members
Do you wish to obtain a Belgium Dependent Visa for your family member? Are you moving permanently to Belgium and have the financial strength to take care of another person? If you have a dependent family in your home country, do you plan to move them to Belgium?
Again, if you are from the EU/EEA, you do not need to apply for a visa to bring your family to Belgium. If otherwise, you need a Belgium dependent visa to get your family member to the country. However, you will need to visit the town hall in your locality to register and receive your residence card.
This guide is comprehensively written to aid you as you plan to move your family to join you in Belgium. You will understand the meaning and types of Belgium dependent visas, the requirements, and the processing time. Keep reading!
What is a Belgium Dependent Visa?
This visa is designed to enable people in Belgium to reunite with their families in their home country or elsewhere. It would be best if you attained a residence or citizenship to invite your spouse and dependent children to Belgium through the Belgium dependent visa. You must prove to the Belgian immigration authority that you are eligible for family reunification. Besides, you must meet the requirements and have the relevant documents to attain this condition.
How do you apply for a Belgium Dependent Visa?
You should follow the simple steps below to apply for Belgium dependent visa for your family:
#1 Locate a visa application center
The embassy, consulate, or a visa application center is the most distinct place to apply for a Belgium dependent visa. You will do this in your home country. However, suppose a Belgium embassy or consulate is not there. In that case, you may locate any other Schengen country where Belgium outsources its visa submission.
#2 Book an appointment
If you did not schedule an appointment, you would not submit your visa application. Therefore, please search for the embassy or consulate’s contact online and book an appointment with them. Usually, you can only visit an embassy or consulate through an appointment. If not, they most likely not attend to you.
#3 Fill out your visa application form
You will need your personal information to fill out the application form. Such information includes name, gender, age, date, place of birth, civil status, etc. You will also give out information about your reason for traveling to Belgium, the length of time you intend to spend, whom to live with, etc. You must provide only accurate information to receive a positive response.
#4 Assemble the supporting documents
The Belgian embassy or consulate will give you a document checklist you must provide to enable you to apply for the Belgium dependent visa. Ensure to provide all of them if you want to scale through.
#5 Apply for your visa
You will apply for your visa on the day of your appointment by submitting the documents you gathered. They will let you know if there is any other thing to do.
#5 Enter the visa interview
If you satisfy the visa requirements through the documents you provided, you may be able to enter an interview. During the interview, you will supply answers to a few questions, like your relationship with your Belgian host and your intention for wanting to visit them. If you are successful with the interview, you will soon be on your way to Belgium.
What are the Requirements for a Belgium Dependent Visa?
You will supply the following documents to enable you to move to Belgium through a Belgium dependent visa:
- Valid passport: You must have a valid passport that will sustain your period of stay in Belgium.
- Medical certificate: This certificate is proof that you do not have any deadly chronic disease that may endanger others or make you a burden to them. Besides, you must obtain the certificate from a licensed hospital in your country of residence.
- Proof of family relationship: You will supply documents demonstrating your relationship with your Belgian host. Such documents include birth certificates, marriage or civil partnership certificates, DNA test results, court documents, etc.
- Health insurance: The health insurance is to cover the period of your stay in Belgium.
- Proof of accommodation: You must demonstrate that you have somewhere to stay in Belgium. You will give the address of your host, but if you are going to live elsewhere, you will also prove that.
- Proof of your financial means: This is proof that you can have enough money to sustain your stay in Belgium.
In addition, if your documents are not in English, you will need a licensed translator to translate them. However, there will be no need for translation if they are in French, Dutch, or German. If there is also a need for the documents to be legalized or notarized, they will notify you. Moreover, doing all this will require some money from you.
How much does it cost to obtain the Belgium Dependent Visa?
The official cost of getting a dependent visa for Belgium is €180. You will pay the fee when you submit your visa application. The payment method may be debit or credit card, or cash. Whichever medium, the officials at the embassy or visa application center will notify you. The fee applies to all long-stay visas to Belgium, including private, work, and student visas.
What is the Processing time for a Belgium Dependent Visa?
The applicable visa for family reunification is the Type D visa. It may require up to nine months to complete the processing. Sometimes, it takes less. However, the processing time is 15 days after the application is deemed admissible. In addition, the processing time may be affected by the busyness of the immigration office and how orderly your application is.
Who are eligible for a Dependent Visa to Belgium?
Not all family members are eligible to travel to Belgium through a reunification visa. Those who are included on the list are:
- Your spouse or civil partner
- Dependent children not up to 18 years and unmarried
- Children of adult age who are dependent on you for their physical and mental provision
Can the Spouse work on a Belgium Dependent Visa?
If your partner (primary visa holder) holds a work visa or EU Blue Card, you can work in Belgium. However, if they are student visa holders, you cannot work. Nevertheless, if you are to work perchance, you will acquire a Belgian work permit.
Can you join your Partner in Belgium with a Short-Stay Visa?
You cannot join your partner in Belgium with a short-stay visa. However, you can only visit them for a short while, using such a visa as a tourist visa. Hence, you must obtain a Type D or long-stay visa to join your partner in Belgium. After five years in Belgium, you can apply for your permanent residence permit for family reunification in Belgium.
Where can I submit my Application for Reunification in Belgium?
Technically, you must submit your visa application abroad (your country of residence). However, in some cases, you can submit it in Belgium under the following conditions:
- If you are an EU citizen and your sponsor is an adult Belgian
- If your sponsor is a minor Belgian
- You are a not citizen of the European Union, while your sponsor is
- You and your sponsor are nationals of countries outside the European Union.
What happens after you arrive in Belgium?
Once you enter Belgium, you are to visit the local administration or town hall closest to you. When you get there, you should request a foreigner’s identity card. Ensure to do this within eight days of your arrival. After that, you will receive a Belgian residence permit when they have registered you. Since your residence permit is connected to your family member’s status, its validity will be the same as theirs.
What happens if your Family Member leaves Belgium?
If your family member (Belgian host) leaves Belgium, you are to go with them, according to the law. Nevertheless, there are exceptions to the rule. If you already have your work permit or permanent residence when they leave, you may decide to remain in the country. However, you must contact the Belgian embassy or consulate for further guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I invite my family to Belgium?
If you have the authorization to live and work in Belgium permanently, you can bring your relative. However, your relative must be your spouse, civil partner, or unmarried children not up to 18.
Can I bring my parents to Belgium?
Your parents are not on the list of family members that can come to Belgium on a Belgium dependent visa. You can only bring your spouse, partner, or unmarried children less than 18. Also, you may bring any children that depend on you for their physical and emotional needs, especially those from a previous marriage or relationship.
How do I apply for family reunification in Belgium?
Suppose you are to join your family member in Belgium. In that case, you must apply for a Type D visa for family reunification in your country of residence. You will go to the embassy/consulate or visa application center.
How long does it take to get a family reunion visa for Belgium?
The applicable visa for family reunification is the Type D visa. It may require up to nine months to complete the processing. Sometimes, it takes less. However, the processing time is 15 days after the application is deemed admissible. In addition, the processing time may be affected by the busyness of the immigration office and how orderly your application is.
Can I bring my sister to Belgium?
Other family members, including your sister, cannot join you on a Belgium dependent visa.
Conclusion
The Belgium dependent visa can allow you to bring only certain family members for a reunion. If you start the visa application immediately, it is only a matter of time, and you will have your family with you.
