Q. What is a Visa?
Ans. A Visa is an authorisation issued by the representative of the Government of a country permitting a person, not resident in that country, to enter its boundaries.

Q. Who issues Visas for Belgium in UK?
Ans. In the United Kingdom, The Embassy of Belgium is the sole representative of Belgium, who issues visas for their country.

Q. How do I know if I need a visa?
Ans. Depending on your purpose of travel, you should log on to the website of the Embassy of Belgium to check whether you are eligible or require a visa. Visit http://www.diplomatie.be/en/travel/visa/visum.Nodig.aspx

Q. Can I apply at the Belgium Visa Application Centre if I want to go to Spain or Paris? I can arrange for bookings accordingly?
If you plan to apply for your Schengen visa at the Embassy of Belgium, your main destination and the maximum period of stay in the Schengen States must be in Belgium only. Please provide proof to support this information.

Q. Is the visa valid for Belgium only?
Ans. The Embassy of Belgium issues visas for Belgium and for the other Schengen states. The Schengen visa issued by the Embassy gives access to 24 Schengen countries in total. However, the Schengen Visa applications will only be accepted by Belgium Visa Application Centre if Belgium is the country of maximum stay. Should the duration of the stay be the same in several Schengen States, Belgium must be the first point of entry if making an application at the Belgium Visa Application Centre.

Q. Who is VF Services (UK) Limited?
Ans. VF Services (UK) Limited is the preferred outsourced partner to the Embassy of Belgium in the UK. The Belgium Visa Application Centre of VF Services (UK) Limited functions as a collection and processing centre to guarantee a better service in response to the growing demand for Belgian Visas from applicants residing in the United Kingdom.

Q. How can I contact the Belgium Visa Application Centre?
Ans. You can contact the Belgium Visa Application Centre via the Helpline, by email or in person. Please see our contact information section for details.

Q. How early can I apply?
Ans. Applicants are free to apply up to 90 days prior to their date of travel. The Embassy recommends that you apply at least 3 weeks prior to your date of travel to accommodate any unforeseen processing delays.

Q. Can the Belgium Visa Application Centre prepare my application for me?
Ans. The Belgium Visa Application Centre does not prepare visa applications, but accepts and processes applications in accordance with the Embassy’s instructions.

Q. I don't live in the UK, can I apply for my Schengen visa from the Belgium Visa Application Centre in London?
Ans. The Belgium Visa Application Centre in London is available to all UK Residents. If you are a visitor in the UK, you are free to make your application too; however, you need to ensure that your UK Visa or UK Resident Permit (if resident in the UK) needs to be valid for 03 months longer than your intended Schengen visa. Applications from visitors may take upto 15 working to be processed.

Q. What are the hours of opening for Submission at the Application Centre?
Ans. Applicants can come to submit their applications between 0830-1100hrs Monday to Friday except on weekends and Embassy declared holidays

Q. Do I have to come personally or can I send the application to the Belgium Visa Application Centre?
Ans. You can send an immediate family member to submit and collect your visa application if you are unable to make it in person. A letter of authorisation by you and proof of relationship will be required to allow your relative to submit/collect on your behalf.

Applicants residing outside the M25 can send the application by post to the Belgium Visa Application Centre. However, priority in processing will be given to applicants visiting the centre in person. We are also unable to make any allowances/exceptions for the increase in processing time due to any delays.

Q. What is the application procedure at the Belgium Visa Application Centre?
Ans. Applicants will be asked to take a token at the entrance and be seated in the waiting area. (You can approach our Submission Counters when your token number is displayed). Our officers at the counter will collect your visa application form to check for completion and your photograph to see if it meets the required specifications. Your passport will be checked for validity, empty pages and previous travel information. Your fees will be collected in accordance with the visa category you have chosen and the documents you submit will be readied in the manner in which they are required by the Embassy. You will be issued a receipt for the fees paid and given an acknowledgement for the submission of your passport.

Q. Which visa [category] should I apply for?
Ans. The Belgium Visa Application Centre is an acceptance centre and, as such, is not authorised to advise/recommend any visa type to a prospective applicant. The Applicant will have to find out the visa category he/she is eligible for based on the purpose of travel. He/she can do so by visiting the websites of the Embassy of Belgium which is http://www.diplomatie.be/en/travel/visa/visum.Nodig.aspx

Q. What are the documents required for a Belgium Visa?
Ans. After deciding the eligible visa category, applicants can log on to http://www.diplomatie.be/london or on to the Belgium Visa Application Centre’s website http://www.vfs-be-uk.com/visacategories.aspx to check the recommended documents for the Visa category they have chosen. Photocopies are recommended as documents will not be returned. Submit originals only where specified.

Q. What if I do not have all the documents?
Ans. If your application is not accompanied by the documents that are recommended by the Embassy, you will be asked if you wish to proceed with the application as it is, i.e. without all the recommended documents. Should you consent to this, your application will be registered in our system and accepted for visa application submission. Incomplete applications will lead to processing delays.

Q. What proof will I have that Belgium Visa Application Centre has my visa application?
Ans. When your application is registered in our system, you will be issued a receipt for the fees you have paid. You will be given a receipt along with an acknowledgement of the acceptance of your passport in the form of a stamped copy of your passport Bio/Data page.

Q. Will the application centre give me acknowledgement of the documents that I have submitted?
Ans. The Belgium Visa Application Centre will not issue any documents other the receipts for fees collected and the stamped passport copy to an applicant.

Q. What are the applicable fees?
Ans. Every Visa application needs to be accompanied by a visa fee for the amount applicable to your chosen visa category. This can be paid by Debit or Credit card, Postal Order or cash. Besides this, there is a service charge of £24 (inclusive of VAT) applicable per application. Please see http://www.vfs-be-uk.com/visafee.aspx for the existing fees. You also have the option of requesting for the return of your documents by Special Delivery for an additional fee of £7.40 per application.

Q. Can I make a collective payment for the visa fees and logistic fees?
Ans. Yes, the Belgium Visa Application Centre will accept collective fees made by post or in person at the centre at the time of submission.

Q. In what name should the payment in a postal order be made?
Ans. The payment should be in the name of 'The Belgium Visa Application Centre, London.

Q. What is procedure to get my passport back?
Ans. You will need to bring your receipt and submission proof (the Belgium Visa Application Centre stamped passport Bio/Data page) with you on the second day after submission anytime between 1300-1400hrs, Monday to Friday except declared holidays, to check for the status of your application.

Q. What if I cannot return to collect my passport in person?
Ans. In your absence, along with your receipt and stamped passport copy, an authority letter from you in the name of your relative will be required. We can post the application to you by Special Delivery at an additional nominal cost. However, this request needs to be made at the time of submitting your application and cannot be requested at a later date. This service is restricted to Royal Mail coverage in the UK and Northern Ireland only.

Q. What should I provide as proof of relationship or my spouse's nationality?
Ans. Photocopies of your Marriage Certificate or Birth Certificate are the only documents that will be accepted as proof of relationship. Photocopies of your spouse's national passport can be accepted as proof of nationality.

Q. Can the Belgium Visa Application Centre post my passport back?
Ans. The Belgium Visa Application Centre can post your application as long as the address is provided at the time your application is being registered. Applications will be returned via Special Delivery mode only. You must make your preferred delivery mode known at the time of submission, as once your receipt is issued; we cannot change the mode of return of your application. This service is restricted to Royal Mail coverage in the UK and Northern Ireland only.

Q. Is there a charge for the postal service?
Ans. The postal facility is an optional service at an additional fee of £7.40 per visa application. This fee has to be paid at the time your application and cannot be opted for later. This service is restricted to Royal Mail coverage in the UK and Northern Ireland only.

Q. Is there a possibility that I won’t have my passport back on the second day?
Ans. Under normal circumstances, an applicant will have a status for his/her application on the second working day after the submission of his/her visa application at the Belgium Visa Application Centre. However, if the Embassy would like to see additional documents, see you for a personal interview or require additional time to correspond with Home Office in Brussels, the process can take longer. The approximate time required is normally stated in the Information Letters.

Q. What are Information Letters?
Ans. If the Embassy is unable to return the application to you because they would like to see additional documents, see you for a personal interview or require additional time to correspond with Home Office in Brussels. This update is normally sent in a letter individually addressed to the applicant, and remains at the Belgium Visa Application Centre until collected by the applicant or an authorised representative.

Q. Will the Belgium Visa Application Centre post the Information Letters too?
Ans. The postal fee that you pay is a one time fee for the return of your visa application. The information letters from the Embassy/Consulate will not be posted; only your visa application will be posted to you when it is returned by the Embassy at the end of your application processing. However, if you give us with your email address, we will be happy to email you a scanned copy of the aforementioned document.

Q. Will I get my visa at the end of the process?
Ans. As an application centre, the Belgium Visa Application Centre will not be able to guarantee you a visa. The issuance or refusal of a visa is the sole prerogative of The Embassy of Belgium. The Belgium Visa Application Centre cannot influence this decision in any way.

Q. If I have to travel elsewhere and my passport is still with the Embassy of Belgium, is it possible for me to have only my passport back for travel? What if I decide to withdraw my application?
Ans. If your passport is with the Embassy of Belgium and you have interim travel plans, please prepare a covering letter which has your contact and passport information. Mention the reason why you would like your passport in the interim in this covering letter and bring this to the Belgium Visa Application Centre. Along with this letter, a form needs to be completed and submitted at the Application Centre. Once your travel is complete, please return your passport to permit you application processing.

Should you wish to withdraw your application completely, please follow the same process but mention that you would like to withdraw your application completely. We would like to inform you that your fees will not be refunded at any stage.

Q. Will my fees be refunded if my visa is refused?
Ans. All fees are non-refundable and will not be refunded if your visa application is not successful.

Q. Who should I contact to find out why I was refused?
Ans. You will receive a letter from the Embassy of Belgium in your return application which will mention the reasons for refusal.

Q. When can I reapply; is there a timeframe after the refusal that I must wait before reapply?
Ans. You are free to re-apply at anytime if your application has been refused earlier. There is no time gap to be observed after a Refusal to make a fresh application. However, it is recommended that you note the reasons for the earlier Refusal before submitting a new application and make amendments where applicable.

Q. What if I want to appeal against the refusal?
Ans. You will need to contact the Home Office in Brussels direct for more information on appeals.

Q. Does the Belgium Visa Application Centre accept documents for Legalisation?
Ans. No, the Embassy of Belgium London does not legalise any documents.

Q. Can my application be processed on the same day that I submit it at the Belgium Visa Application Centre?
Ans. Applications cannot be processed on the same day unless authorised by the Embassy. Requests for Emergency visa processing cannot be accommodated except in extreme medical circumstance and the Embassy's decision on this is the final authority.

Q. Are there any Embassy authorized Translators?
Ans. You are free to approach any bonafide Translator for the translation of your letter/documents. The Belgium Visa Application Centre does not have any information of Translators recommended by the Embassy of Belgium.

Q. What if I am not happy with the response I receive from the person on the helpline?
Ans. You can ask for the Manager on shift at any time during your enquiry if you unhappy with the response you have received from the helpline..