How long does a Belgium work visa take to process?

A decision on a Belgium work visa typically takes around 90 days from the appointment date, though peak season, additional document requests and consulate workload can extend this. Apply as early as the rules allow.

What documents are required for a Belgium work visa?

The Belgium consular network lists: Single Permit approval notice from the Belgian Region; Completed national D visa application form; Passport issued within 10 years with 15 months validity remaining; Employment contract or assignment letter; Proof of qualifications; Medical certificate showing no public health risk; Legalised criminal record certificate for adults; Proof of accommodation in Belgium; Two recent passport photos; Proof of health insurance. Some items are mandatory and others only advisable — the EU Visa Compass checklist tool flags which is which.

Can I apply for a Belgium work visa from the United Kingdom?

Yes. We list 2 submission points in the UK for Belgium, with addresses and notes, on this page. If you live elsewhere, use the consulate covering your country of residence — the requirements themselves stay the same.

Belgium work visa: requirements, fee and processing time

This page covers the Belgium work visa — used for taking up employment with a local employer. Every field below is taken from our editor-verified country record and reflects what the Belgium consular network publishes for applicants of any nationality. You apply in the country where you legally reside, so exact centres and service fees can differ locally.

Consular fee

€225

Typical decision

90 days

Appointments

Mixed

Where to apply for a Belgium work visa

The employer first applies for the Single Permit (work and residence combined) through the relevant Belgian Region - Flanders, Wallonia or Brussels. Once approved, you lodge the D visa at TLScontact London.

Required documents

Single Permit approval notice from the Belgian Region
Completed national D visa application form
Passport issued within 10 years with 15 months validity remaining
Employment contract or assignment letter
Proof of qualifications
Medical certificate showing no public health risk
Legalised criminal record certificate for adults
Proof of accommodation in Belgium
Two recent passport photos
Proof of health insurance

Turn this list into a tick-off checklist on the checklist page, which also flags which items are mandatory and which are only advisable.

Fees, reductions and exemptions

National D work visa€225— Rises to EUR 250 from 1 July 2026
Single Permit regional feeFree— Paid by the employer; amount set by the Region
TLScontact service fee€39— GBP 34.70 per applicant

National D visa fee of EUR 225, rising to EUR 250 from 1 July 2026. Regional Single Permit fees are paid separately by the employer and vary by region.

Booking an appointment

No visa appointment is possible until the Region has approved the Single Permit. You then book at TLScontact London and submit the D visa application with the approval notice (annexe 46).

Practical tips

The Single Permit takes roughly four to sixteen weeks depending on the Region, and the visa clock only starts after it. Budget the permit, not the visa, as the critical path.

What is unusual about the Belgium process

British citizens with Withdrawal Agreement M or N cards for Brussels-based roles are exempt from the work permit requirement; everyone else needs the full Single Permit procedure.

Official sources

If you are applying from the United Kingdom

London — TLScontact — Belgium Visa Application Centre
Vantage London, Great West Road, Brentford TW8 9AG
All Belgian visa categories for applicants resident in the UK.
London — Embassy of Belgium in London
17 Grosvenor Crescent, London SW1X 7EE
Consular oversight and legalisation of documents.

Applying from somewhere else? Use the consulate that covers your country of legal residence — the requirements above still apply.

Updated today against official Belgium consular sources. Requirements can change without notice — always confirm before you travel.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Belgium work visa cost?: For a Belgium work visa, the consular fee is €225. Reduced or waived amounts apply to: National D work visa — €225; Single Permit regional fee — free; TLScontact service fee — €39. National D visa fee of EUR 225, rising to EUR 250 from 1 July 2026. Regional Single Permit fees are paid separately by the employer and vary by region. Visa application centres such as VFS Global, BLS, TLScontact or Capago charge their own service fee on top.
How long does a Belgium work visa take to process?: A decision on a Belgium work visa typically takes around 90 days from the appointment date, though peak season, additional document requests and consulate workload can extend this. Apply as early as the rules allow.
Where do I apply for a Belgium work visa?: The employer first applies for the Single Permit (work and residence combined) through the relevant Belgian Region - Flanders, Wallonia or Brussels. Once approved, you lodge the D visa at TLScontact London. You always apply through the mission or application centre that covers your country of legal residence.
What documents are required for a Belgium work visa?: The Belgium consular network lists: Single Permit approval notice from the Belgian Region; Completed national D visa application form; Passport issued within 10 years with 15 months validity remaining; Employment contract or assignment letter; Proof of qualifications; Medical certificate showing no public health risk; Legalised criminal record certificate for adults; Proof of accommodation in Belgium; Two recent passport photos; Proof of health insurance. Some items are mandatory and others only advisable — the EU Visa Compass checklist tool flags which is which.
How do appointments work for a Belgium work visa?: Appointment model: Mixed. No visa appointment is possible until the Region has approved the Single Permit. You then book at TLScontact London and submit the D visa application with the approval notice (annexe 46).
Can I apply for a Belgium work visa from the United Kingdom?: Yes. We list 2 submission points in the UK for Belgium, with addresses and notes, on this page. If you live elsewhere, use the consulate covering your country of residence — the requirements themselves stay the same.

🇧🇪 Belgium work visa: requirements, fee and processing time