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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.

New rules for cross-border workers residing in the United Kingdom

New rules for cross-border workers residing in the United Kingdom

9/2/2026

Belgium introduced a new, simplified legal framework for cross-border workers on 15 August 2026, under the Royal Decree of 19 July 2026. The previous regulations no longer reflected current cross-border employment practices.

The new rules apply if you:

  • have your main residence in the United Kingdom;
  • work in Belgium as an employee, self-employed worker or posted worker;
  • regularly enter and leave Belgium for a period of more than 90 days without residing in Belgium.

If you meet these conditions, we strongly recommend that you apply for a long-stay visa (Visa D) as soon as possible.

Travelling with Annex 15

Annex 15 is not a travel document. To cross the external borders of the European Union, you must have the appropriate visa or travel authorisation required to enter Belgium.

New visa rules for Somali and Guinean nationals

New visa rules for Somali and Guinean nationals

8/19/2026

From 10 July 2026, temporary restrictions will apply to Schengen visa applications submitted by Somali and Guinean nationals.

The Council of the European Union introduced these measures following an assessment by the European Commission regarding cooperation on the readmission of nationals staying irregularly in the EU.

What is changing?

For applicants from Somalia and Guinea:

  • Only single-entry Schengen visas will be issued. Multiple-entry visas will no longer be issued.
  • All required supporting documents must be provided. Applicants will no longer be exempt from documentary requirements.
  • The visa fee exemption for diplomatic and service passport holders no longer applies. Holders of diplomatic or service passports must pay the EUR 90 visa fee.
  • The standard processing time is 45 calendar days instead of 15.

Important

Please take the 45-day processing time into account when planning your travel. If your planned departure is less than 45 days after you submit your application, your visa may be refused on this basis.

These measures apply only to Schengen short-stay visas.

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.

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 / £225.

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.

Gambian nationals

Gambian nationals

7/19/2024

Gambian nationals are subject to the EUR 90 visa fee as of 1st June 2024. All other sanctions nevertheless continue to apply to all Gambian nationals.

With regard to Article 16(5)(b), Gambian nationals holding a diplomatic or service passport must now pay a visa fee of EUR 90 / GBP 81.

The Decision suspends the possibility of waiving, in individual cases, certain documentary requirements for visa applicants. This means that, irrespective of an applicant’s visa history and correct use of previously issued visas, a complete set of supporting documents demonstrating compliance with the entry conditions set out in the Schengen Borders Code must be submitted with every visa application.

The Decision also suspends the standard 15-calendar-day processing period referred to in Article 23(1) of the Visa Code. Consequently, the standard processing time is 45 days for all applications falling within the scope of these measures.

AIRPORT TRANSIT VISA UPDATE

AIRPORT TRANSIT VISA UPDATE

6/24/2024

The Schengen airside (A) transit visa requirement will be abolished for holders of valid British residence permits as of 28 June 2024.

This means that any UK resident who would normally be subject to airside (A) transit visa requirements on account of their nationality will be able to transit through any Schengen airport visa-free, unless (for any of those on a type-C visa (visitors) would be required):

  • Your final destination is within the Schengen member states;
  • You have to pick up your luggage and/or have to check in again (please verify with your airline);
  • You have to pass passport control (please verify with your airline)
  • You are transiting through two or more airports in Belgium or Schengen countries (example: London-Antwerp-Brussels-Accra or London-Brussels-Paris-Lagos).
  • You do not hold a confirmed airline ticket for the journey to your destination.

Important: this exemption only applies to holders of British BRPs. Holders of UK visas issued overseas are not being exempt.

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