Visa and entry

For students, researchers and lecturers who are staying for more than three months:

  • citizens of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway or Switzerland do not need a visa.
  • citizens of any other country have to apply for a visa at the home country’s Belgian embassy or consulate as soon as possible.

Regardless of nationality, individuals who are staying for more than three months are required to register with the municipality (‘Administration communale’, often spoken of simply as the ‘commune’) of residence within eight days of arrival in Belgium. This registration is valid for one year (five years for EU nationals) and must be resubmitted for renewal one month prior to its expiration (details below under ‘When you arrive’).

Researchers and lecturers employed by UCLouvain may also require a Belgian work permit (see ‘Work permit’ below).

More information is available at the home country’s Belgian embassy or consulate, the Belgian Immigration Office and the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.