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Long-stay visa D for Luxembourg – procedure update

Long-stay visa D for Luxembourg – procedure update

10/1/2026

From 1 October 2026, third-country nationals who wish to reside in Luxembourg and fall under the jurisdiction of a Belgian embassy or consulate representing Luxembourg must follow the procedure applicable at the competent Belgian post or, where applicable, its external service provider (ESP).

Applications for a long-stay visa D must be completed through Visa On Web, in line with the instructions of the competent Belgian post.

The previous procedure based on a separate temporary residence authorisation (AST) no longer applies to new applications. Temporary residence authorisations already issued remain valid under the conditions stated in the relevant decision.

A visa D is required for third-country nationals who intend to stay in Luxembourg for more than 90 days.

Your main purpose of stay determines the category you must select and the documents you need to provide.

Work and professional activity

  • Salaried worker
  • EU Blue Card holder
  • Self-employed worker
  • Posted salaried worker
  • Intra-Corporate transferee
  • Seasonal worker
  • Scientific researcher
  • Athlete or coach

Studies, training and mobility

  • Student in post-secondary education
  • Au pair
  • Student in primary or secondary education
  • Intern/Trainee
  • Volunteer

Family and personal reasons

  • Family member
  • Private reasons
  • Visa D without intention to apply for a residence permit

For information on residence conditions and supporting documents, please consult the information for third-country nationals.

Where and how to apply

Applications must be completed through Visa On Web and submitted to the Belgian embassy or consulate responsible for your place of residence.

Where the diplomatic post works with an external service provider (ESP), applications must be submitted through that provider according to the arrangements stated on the diplomatic post’s website.

Before submitting your application, make sure you:

  • select the category matching your main purpose of stay;
  • check and print or download the relevant checklist;
  • complete the Visa On Web D visa application form accurately, then date and sign it;
  • make an appointment according to the instructions of the competent Belgian post or ESP;
  • attend in person with your Visa On Web form and all required documents;
  • provide the required originals and legible copies, together with any required translations, legalisations or apostilles.

The documents required depend on the category selected. The relevant checklist explains the requirements for originals, copies, translations, legalisations and apostilles.

The Belgian post or ESP will carry out the required checks when you submit your application. You may be asked to provide missing documents or additional information. The Luxembourg authorities may also request additional documents during the processing of your application.

The file is then transmitted to the competent Luxembourg authorities.

The decision on the long-stay visa is taken by Luxembourg’s Ministry of Home Affairs, Directorate General for Immigration, except for certain categories, such as Working Holiday Visas, which fall under the responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

For practical information, please check our FAQ.

Upcoming changes to consular fees

Upcoming changes to consular fees

8/1/2026

Please note the following upcoming changes to consular fees:

  • From 1 August 2026, the consular fee for document legalisation will increase to €25.

  • From 1 September 2026, the visa fee for long-stay return visas (visa D) will increase to €335.

Applicants are encouraged to take these changes into account when planning their application.

Online prepayment of the TLScontact service fee from 20 July 2026

Online prepayment of the TLScontact service fee from 20 July 2026

7/16/2026

From 20 July 2026, applicants booking a visa appointment will be required to pay the TLScontact service fee online to confirm their appointment.

After selecting an appointment on the TLScontact website, you will receive a booking email at the email address associated with your TLScontact account.

Important: Your appointment will only be confirmed once the service fee has been paid online. Payment must be completed immediately after booking your appointment.

Once payment has been successfully completed, you will be able to download or print your payment receipt. Your appointment confirmation will then be sent automatically by email.

If payment is not completed within the required timeframe, your appointment will be cancelled automatically.

Long-stay visa fee update

Long-stay visa fee update

6/26/2026

From 1 July 2026, the fee for long-stay visa (D visa) applications will increase to €250.

If you already have an appointment scheduled on or after 1 July 2026, the new fee will apply when you submit your visa application.

Please ensure that you pay the updated fee on the day of your appointment.

Apostille replaces legalisation for Algerian public documents

Apostille replaces legalisation for Algerian public documents

6/22/2026

From 9 July 2026, Algeria will join the Hague Apostille Convention. As a result, public documents issued by Algerian authorities and intended for use in Belgium will generally require an apostille instead of the traditional legalisation process.

Public documents

If your document is considered a public document by the Algerian authorities, you must obtain an apostille from the competent Algerian authority. This apostille replaces the previous legalisation chain.

The embassy of Belgium is not involved in this procedure.

Other documents

Documents that are not considered public documents by the Algerian authorities will continue to require legalisation before they can be used in Belgium.

Applications for document legalisation must be submitted through TLScontact legalisation services.

Individual signatures

Requests for the legalisation of individual signatures (Annex 32, powers of attorney, etc.) must continue to be submitted directly to the embassy by appointment.

To request an appointment, please contact: algiers.visa@diplobel.fed.be.

For more information, please consult the HCCH website.

Entry/Exit System (EES) & arrival declaration in Belgium: important updates

Entry/Exit System (EES) & arrival declaration in Belgium: important updates

6/2/2026

As of 10 April 2026, the European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES) is fully operational across Schengen countries, including Belgium. At the same time, Belgium has introduced a simplified online arrival declaration process for short-stay travellers.

What is the Entry/Exit System (EES)?

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is an automated IT system that registers non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay each time they cross the external borders of participating European countries.

Instead of stamping passports, the system records:

  • Entry and exit dates
  • Biometric data (fingerprints and facial image)
  • Information from travel documents
  • Refusals of entry

This applies to travellers staying up to 90 days within any 180-day period, whether they require a visa or not. No prior action is required from travellers.

For more information, check the EU website.

Arrival Declaration in Belgium: New Online Process

Any person entering Belgium for a short stay (up to 90 days within a 180-day period) must declare their presence within three days of arrival, unless they are staying in a hotel, hospital, or prison.

Since 10 April 2026, travellers can complete their arrival declaration online via the electronic form: My Address in Belgium (MAB).

This means you no longer need to register your arrival at the local municipal administration.

Entrance and admission examination for medicine and dentistry: eligibility criteria and visa application process

Entrance and admission examination for medicine and dentistry: eligibility criteria and visa application process

5/19/2026

Non-EU foreign nationals registered for the entrance examination in medicine and dentistry in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation on 27 August 2026 must apply for a C visa, and no longer a D visa as was the case in the previous three years.

Eligibility criteria for the examination

Candidates must meet two conditions:

  • Meet the general conditions for access to higher education studies referred to in Article 107 of the Decree of 7 November 2013 defining the landscape of higher education and the academic organisation of studies in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation;
  • Be admitted to the entrance and admission examination in medicine and dentistry organised by the Academy of Research and Higher Education (ARES).

Examination date and registration procedure

Registration for the examination is open from 18 May 2026 to 5 July 2026 included. Candidates must register on an online platform: www.concoursmd.be.

The examination will take place on Thursday 27 August 2026 at Brussels Expo. Candidates must be physically present (written selection test).

Visa application process for students wishing to sit the examination

Non-resident candidates must apply for a C visa, and no longer a D visa as was the case in the three previous years.

The documents to be submitted with the C visa application are as follows:

  • A certificate of registration for the medicine and dentistry entrance examination issued by ARES;
  • A diploma or certificate of studies that grants access to Belgian higher education (secondary school leaving certificate or baccalaureate);
  • Equivalence of the diploma or baccalaureate, or proof that an equivalence application has been submitted;
  • Academic report cards;
  • Any information establishing that registration for the entrance examination is a plausible continuation of the applicant's academic or professional path;
  • Proof of accommodation valid for the entire duration of the stay (sponsorship declaration, hotel reservation, etc.);
  • Proof that the applicant has sufficient personal financial means for the duration of their stay, or a financial guarantee undertaking signed by a person who meets the conditions to act as a sponsor (Annex 3bis);
  • Travel medical insurance valid for the entire duration of the stay;
  • Guarantees of return to the country of origin or residence before the visa expires.

If the visa is granted, its period of validity must take into account the date of the examination: 27 August 2026. The length of stay is set at 8 days.

Non-EU foreign nationals who have received a visa to sit the entrance examination must return to their country when the visa expires and await the results there. If admitted to study medicine or dentistry, they must apply for a D visa / Article 60.

For further information, please consult the official notice .

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