Belgium Work Visa Requirements for Indians: 2026 Checklist

So a Belgian work file is really two files, prepared by two different people. This checklist splits them clearly, using the requirements as published on the official sources, checked on 15 October 2026. Short business trips and tourist visas are covered in our Belgium visa guide for Indians.

Who files what: your employer or you?

• Stage 1, employer: an employer based in Belgium files one application for a work and residence permit (the single permit) with the competent Region, through its one-stop counter.
• Stage 2, you: once the Region and the Immigration Office grant the permit, you lodge a Visa D application at a VFS Global centre in India, with the e-mail granting the permit.

This route is for jobs of more than 90 days. Work of 90 days or less uses the Visa C Business. Au pairs, EU Blue Card holders and intra-corporate transferees follow other checklists.

Stage 1: what goes with the employer's single-permit application?

The Region publishes the work-related documents. The Immigration Office lists the stay documents that go with them:

• Proof of payment of the EUR 152 contribution (amount as of 1 January 2026, paid in EUR, not refunded if refused).
• A copy of your passport.
• Proof of sufficient means and of the employment duration, with the employer's VAT number where applicable.
• A criminal record extract if you are over 18.
• A medical certificate.
• Health insurance covering all risks in Belgium.

Your employer will ask you for the personal items on this list, so collect them early. The rest comes from the employer's side.

Stage 2: what do you carry to VFS for the Visa D?

Three practical points from the VFS and Embassy instructions:

• Photos: VFS asks for 3 photos for a long-stay visa, 35-45 mm wide, on a plain white background and no more than 6 months old. Embassy checklists describe a 5x3 cm colour photo glued on the form, so ask the centre which format it applies.
• Sets of documents: long-stay files need three sets: one original and two copies.
• Form: the application is filled online on VisaOnWeb, printed and signed before your appointment.

How much does the Belgian work route cost in 2026?

The published amounts do not match across pages, so confirm the figure payable at your centre before the appointment.

How long do the permit and the visa take, and what happens on arrival?

1. Completeness check: if the employer's file is incomplete, the Region gives 15 days to complete it.
2. Transfer: from admissibility, the Region has 15 days to send the file to the Immigration Office.
3. Decision: the Region and the Immigration Office must decide within 4 months, extendable in exceptional cases. If no unfavourable decision arrives in time, the permit is deemed granted.
4. Visa D: VFS states long-term visa decisions generally come within 15 days, up to 30 days, and exceptionally 60 days.
5. After arrival: register with your municipality within 8 working days. An Annex 49 then covers your stay for 45 days, extendable twice, until the A card (single permit) is issued. For renewal, your employer applies to the Region at the latest 2 months before the A card expires.

Which VFS centre and which Belgian post handle your file?

Belgium has 14 VFS centres in India: Delhi, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Lucknow, Jalandhar, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Cochin, Chennai, Hyderabad, Goa, Pune and Puducherry. Decisions are taken by two posts:

• Embassy of Belgium, New Delhi: states and territories including Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and the north-eastern states. Visa questions are answered only by e-mail at newdelhi.visa@diplobel.fed.be.
• Consulate General of Belgium, Mumbai: states and territories including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh (mumbai.visa@diplobel.fed.be).

VFS releases new appointment slots on the 1st Monday of each month for the following month in the East and North Zone. D applicants under 6, and those with Belgian biometrics from the last 10 years, do not need to appear in person.

What if your job is not covered by the single permit?

Employees whose work permit or exemption comes from the Regional Ministry of Employment, and self-employed people with a professional card, use the Visa D Work Other Than Unique Permit. Its checklist adds:

• The original work permit, exemption or professional card, plus a copy.
• Proof of the EUR 242 contribution, paid before applying.
• A medical certificate from the Embassy panel doctor, plus a copy.
• A police clearance certificate from the passport office with an MEA apostille, plus a copy.
• Timing: apply at least 30 days and at the earliest three months before travel.

Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares flight reservations, hotel bookings, travel itineraries and cover letters for Schengen and long-stay files. Packages range from INR 1,000 (flight reservation) to INR 3,000 (reservation, hotel, itinerary and cover letter). WhatsApp +91 95230 91018 or send us a message.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use the Belgian single permit for a three-month project?

No. The single permit and Visa D Work Unique Permit are for employment of more than 90 days. Work of 90 days or less uses the Visa C Business, which follows a different checklist.

What happens if the Region does not decide my Belgian work permit in time?

The Region and the Immigration Office must decide within 4 months, extendable in exceptional cases. If no unfavourable decision is taken in time, the permit is deemed granted.

How do I track a Belgian work visa sent to Belgium for a decision?

Track it on the VFS Belgium website with your passport number and last name. If the file goes to the Immigration Office, ask the Embassy at newdelhi.visa@diplobel.fed.be for the file number and follow it on dofi.ibz.be, which then becomes the only authority to contact.

Is the Belgian work contribution refunded if my permit is refused?

No. The Immigration Office states that the contribution, EUR 152 for a single permit as of 1 January 2026, is paid in EUR and not refunded if the application is refused.