How much is Belgium Schengen visa? This is one vital piece of information to note when applying for a visa because it is an important requirement. Applicants who must pay the fee but fail to do so will not be allowed to submit their documents for processing. Please keep reading to know more about the Belgium visa application process.
Schengen Visa Fees
The visa fees for all Schengen visas issued by all the countries in the Schengen zone are the same regardless of the visa form. While the standard fee is €80, this amount is not required for all applicants. In fact, some applicants will not even have to pay a fee, as you will see below.
How Much Is Belgium Schengen Visa?
Visa applicants are categorized based on age, so everyone pays differently. Children above 12 years and adults pay €80, while children between 6-12 pay €40 as visa fees. Minors under six do not pay fees for this Belgian Schengen visa as stipulated by Schengen requirements. Apart from these rates, citizens of some countries are charged lower fees of €35. These countries include Armenia, Azerbaijan, Albania, Serbia, Ukraine, Russia, Moldova, Georgia, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
When Should The Fee Be Paid?
Many first time visa applicants often wonder when the visa fee should be paid, before or after the application is submitted. Contrary to the opinion held by many, visa fees must be paid before the application can be submitted. Some embassies or visa application centers will demand the receipt of payment before collecting your documents.
How the fee is paid is not down to you but the process outlined by the embassy. Credit or debit cards, cash, or cheques are common payment methods.
Service Fees
When applying for a Schengen visa, you may have to include a service fee if you are using the services of a visa application center. While using such centers is optional in some countries, some embassies in other countries only accept applications through such centers. If that is the case in your country, the visa center will charge a separate fee for their services which is different from the visa fee to the embassy. The fee may range from €20-€35, as the case may be.
Who Is Exempted From Paying A Visa Fee?
Apart from children under six years who are exempted from visa fees, some do not pay these fees either. Here are the categories of travelers who enjoy payment exemptions.
Family Members: Family members of EU and EEA nationals don’t need to pay the fees as long as they can prove their relationship. Parents and children qualify for payment exemptions.
Pupils/Students/Postgraduate Students/Teachers: Students, teachers, postgraduate students, and teachers accompanying them to Belgium for educational training are exempted from fees.
Researchers: Scientific researchers conducting studies in Belgium or any Schengen country.
Representatives of No-Profit Organizations Aged 25 or Less: If you are a representative of a not for profit organization and you are 25 years or younger, and you have been invited to participate in conferences, and cultural and sporting events, you don’t have to pay the visa fee.
Schengen Visa Extension Fee
The extension fees for a Schengen visa vary depending on your situation. The fee you pay for the visa differs from the fee you pay should you wish to extend it. For minors, their parents or guardians will have to pay up to €30, while adults will pay €60 if they seek a second extension. Extensions due to force majeure or humanitarian reasons are free. Most countries only issue extensions under strict conditions, so you must visit the Ministry of Internal Affairs to explain why you need to stay for a little while longer.
Visa Fee Refund
Once you pay your visa fee, the money will not be refunded if the visa is not issued to you. The success or failure of your application is separate from whether you pay the visa fee. It is also important to note that applicants must attach the visa fee receipt to their application as proof of payment.
How Long Can You Stay In Belgium On a Schengen Visa?
This visa allows you to stay in the Kingdom of Belgium for up to 90 days within 180 day periods. However, the visa validity is 180 days; you cannot stay that long.
The time starts counting from the very first day you set foot in Belgium, and you are expected to leave on or before the 90th day.
How much is Belgium Schengen visa? The visa fee is €80 for persons 12 years and older and €40 for persons below 12 years. However, as explained in the post, some persons are not mandated to pay the fee under certain conditions.