Belgium Transit Visa
The Belgium Transit Visa covers travellers who need to wait for a connecting flight in the international transit area of a Belgian airport, most commonly Brussels Airport (Zaventem), without entering Schengen territory. This is the Airport Transit Visa (Type A), and it does not grant entry into Belgium or the wider Schengen Area — holders must remain within the airport’s international zone. Whether an Airport Transit Visa is required depends on the applicant’s nationality: Belgium applies the general Schengen-wide list, plus 13 additional nationalities designated by Belgium specifically. If you need to leave the transit area, change terminals, collect and recheck baggage, or transit through more than one Schengen airport before reaching your final destination, a standard Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) is required instead. As with every Belgium Visa category, the final decision on approval rests solely with the relevant Belgian embassy or consulate.
Eligibility
You may need a Belgium Airport Transit Visa (Type A) if:
- Your nationality is on the common Schengen-wide list of countries requiring an Airport Transit Visa, or you hold a passport from one of the 13 additional nationalities Belgium has designated: Dominican Republic, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti (ordinary passports only), Nepal, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, Yemen (ordinary passports only), Palestinian nationals, Uzbekistan, or Tajikistan.
- You intend to remain within the international transit zone of a Belgian airport and do not plan to leave it, pass through passport control, or transit through more than one Schengen airport.
You do not need an Airport Transit Visa if you:
- Hold a valid Schengen visa, residence permit issued by an EU/EEA country, or a visa/residence permit from the US, Canada, Japan, Andorra, or San Marino guaranteeing an unrestricted right of return.
- Are a family member of an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen.
- Hold a diplomatic passport (in most cases), or, for the 13 Belgium-specific nationalities listed above, hold a service or special passport.
- Are a flight crew member who is a national of a country party to the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation.
- Hold a valid British residence permit (BRP) — since 28 June 2024, UK residents are generally exempt, though holders of UK visas issued overseas are not covered by this exemption.
Government Visa Fees
| Category | Fee |
| Airport Transit Visa (Type A) | €80 |
| Reduced fee (nationals of Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Ukraine, where applicable) | €35 |
| Children aged 6–12 | €40 |
| Children under 6 | Free |
An additional service fee applies when the application is submitted through an external visa application centre such as VFS Global. Visa and service fees are non-refundable, whether the visa is approved, refused, or the application withdrawn.
Processing Time
Standard processing for Airport Transit Visa applications generally falls within the same timelines as other Schengen visa categories — commonly 2 to 15 working days for a complete file, extendable to the standard Schengen maximum of 15, 30, or in exceptional cases 60 calendar days. Since transit visas are tied to specific flight connections, applicants are advised to apply well ahead of their travel date, and note that appointment waiting times at some consular posts can themselves run to around a month.
Required Documents Checklist
Step-by-Step Application Process
Important Notes
Why Choose Shivansh Consultants
Applying for a Belgium Transit Visa requires careful preparation and accurate documentation to ensure a smooth transit through Belgium. At Shivansh Consultants, we provide professional guidance throughout the entire visa application process, helping you prepare the required documents, verify your travel itinerary, review passport validity, and ensure compliance with Belgian transit visa requirements. Our experienced consultants carefully examine every application to reduce the chances of delays or documentation errors. With transparent guidance, personalized assistance, and dedicated support at every stage, we strive to make your Belgium Transit Visa application simple, efficient, and hassle-free. While visa approval remains solely at the discretion of the Belgian immigration authorities, we are committed to helping you submit a complete, accurate, and well-prepared application.