Schengen visa (Short stay)

For citizens of some countries, a Schengen visa (Type C) issued by one of the member countries is required when staying in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days. Please follow the link for more information.

With a Schengen visa, you may enter one country and travel freely throughout the Schengen Area. Short stay visa allows the traveller, assuming all other conditions are met, to enter the territories of any Schengen country to pay a single continuous visit or multiple visits, the duration of which does not exceed 90 days in any 180 days period.

A short stay (Schengen) visa can be issued for either single entry or multiple entries into the Schengen zone.

Single entry visas allow the visa holder to enter and stay in the Schengen area continuously for the length of the visa duration, to a maximum of 90 days (e.g.: from July 1st to September 28th);
Multiple entry visas allow several entries and stays in the Schengen Area, of which the total duration cannot exceed 90 days in any 180 days period. The stay can be continuous or divided into several periods within the length of your visa’s validity. A Schengen circulation visa is a special type of multi-entry visa that is generally valid from 1 to 5 years, decided by the Embassy or Consulate General.

National visa (long stay)

If you wish to stay longer than 90 days you will need a national long stay visa or a residence permit. A national long stay visa (Type D) is only valid for an establishment or a stay of more than 90 days in the country which issued the visa. The national visa allows, however, transit through other Schengen countries and for some long stay visitor, students, workers etc., it also allows traveling freely through throughout the Schengen area.

Airport transit visa

An airport transit visa is required depending upon the country of your citizenship and whether you have residence permits or visas of certain countries. The visa allows the travellers transiting the Schengen territory and who will not leave the transit area of the airport.

Airport transit visa does not apply to Kenyan citizens. However, if the transit involves a change of airport, a regular transit visa is required.

If you are of other nationalities and you are going to transit through a Belgian airport, please check the following website if you need an airport transit visa.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please read the information below carefully to find answers to your questions.

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