A passport that meets Schengen rules
Your travel document should satisfy the issue-date, blank-page and post-trip validity requirements for the intended visit.
Belgium Visa from UK
A practical route for UK residents who need a Belgium Schengen visa — from VisaOnWeb and the correct Belgian travel purpose to TLScontact appointments, documents, fees and the current planning window.
Independent support, not an official visa application. Or use the quick form on this page.
- London · Manchester · Edinburgh
- VisaOnWeb + TLScontact
- Reviewed September 2026
BelgiumShort-stay Schengen visa · UK residents
- 3
UK TLScontact centresLondon, Manchester and Edinburgh are listed for Belgium applications.
- 6 mo
Earliest normal applicationSchengen applications can normally be lodged up to six months before travel.
- 45
Days to plan for currentlyBelgium TLScontact UK is presently telling short-stay applicants to allow a 45-day processing window.
Do you need a Belgium Schengen visa?
Your passport nationality decides whether a short-stay visa is required. Your UK status determines whether you can submit the application here, and your itinerary decides whether Belgium is the correct Schengen country to examine it.
- 1
British passport holder
British citizens can normally visit Belgium visa-free for tourism and other permitted short stays within the 90-days-in-180 rule.
- 2
Visa-required nationality
If the passport you travel on requires a Schengen visa, living legally in the UK does not by itself remove that requirement.
- 3
Belgium is the main destination
Your route should make Belgium the correct state to handle the application — not simply the country where an appointment appeared first.
For other destinations on your itinerary, see these country guides:
Belgium Schengen visa requirementsfor UK residents
Six checks before the TLScontact submission.
Proof you can apply in the UK
Bring the residence or immigration-status evidence required for your profile so the application can be lodged from the United Kingdom.
A Belgium-led itinerary
Travel dates, accommodation and purpose should make Belgium the genuine main destination of the Schengen trip.
Money that fits the trip
Banking and income evidence should explain who is paying and support the length and cost of the stay without contradictions.
Schengen-wide medical insurance
The policy should cover the intended stay throughout the Schengen area with at least €30,000 in qualifying medical and repatriation cover.
Purpose-specific evidence
Tourism, family visits, business and other short stays have different supporting-document needs, so use the checklist for your actual reason to travel.
Documents for a Belgium tourist visa
A useful Belgium file is not just a stack of paperwork. The VisaOnWeb form, legal UK residence, travel plan, money and supporting evidence should all describe the same visit.
- Printed and signed VisaOnWeb application
- Passport meeting Schengen validity rules
- Proof of legal UK residence or immigration status
- Employment, study, business or other UK ties
- Accommodation covering the planned stay
- Travel reservation and coherent itinerary
- Bank statements, income or sponsor evidence
- Travel medical insurance with €30,000 cover
- Invitation / host documentation
- Family, minor or special-category documents
Belgium uses purpose-specific checklists. Always compare this overview with the official list for the visa category you select.
Build the file first, then book TLScontact
Belgium starts with VisaOnWeb and uses TLScontact for in-person submission in the UK. The Embassy says official appointment availability is shown in the TLS booking system and does not offer privileged slots through private agents.
- 1Complete VisaOnWeb
Create the Belgian online application, check the personal and passport details carefully, then keep the generated form for submission.
- 2Use the official TLS booking route
Choose London, Manchester or Edinburgh and book the appointment shown in the live TLS system.
- 3Submit documents and biometrics
Attend with the correct purpose-specific checklist, passport and supporting evidence, and provide biometrics where required.
- 4Track the passport return
Keep your TLS reference and follow the official status notifications rather than relying on unofficial promises about a decision date.
Want the Belgium file checked?
Share the trip basics and we can help organise the application before your official TLScontact submission.
What you get from this enquiry
- We confirm which Schengen country you should apply to for your trip.
- We check your document list against the official requirements for your profile.
- We help you organise the application before your official appointment.
No payment is taken with this enquiry. If you want our help, we confirm the fee with you before any work starts.
Belgium visa processing time
Separate the wait for an appointment from the time after submission. Belgium\'s live UK notice is currently more cautious than the generic Schengen baseline.
Before submissionAppointment availability is separate
The Belgian Embassy says the TLS calendar displays live availability and that slots can book quickly, so start the process well before the trip.
45days to allow currently
TLScontact Belgium UK currently tells short-stay applicants to take a 45-day processing window into account when planning travel.
General Schengen rule15 days is the normal baseline
EU guidance gives 15 calendar days as the normal decision period, with examination extending to 45 days where additional consideration is needed.
For Belgium from the UK, plan around the live Belgian/TLS guidance rather than assuming the generic 15-day baseline will apply to your trip.
Belgium visa fees
The government visa fee and TLScontact service fee are separate. The visa fee is set in euros but the amount collected in pounds can move with the exchange rate used by the Belgian authorities.
AdultsStandard short-stay Schengen visa
€90Children aged 6–11Reduced Schengen visa fee
€45Children under 6Standard short-stay visa fee exemption
FreeTLScontact service feeCurrent Belgium UK listing; verify before payment
£34.70Optional TLScontact services cost extra and do not improve the chance of approval or change the Belgian authority responsible for the decision.
Where to submit your Belgium application
Belgium currently lists TLScontact visa application centres in London, Manchester and Edinburgh for applicants submitting from the United Kingdom. The centres receive the file; they do not decide the visa.
The Belgian Embassy says appointments are booked through TLScontact and official appointments themselves are free. Check the live centre address and booking instructions before travelling.
UK → BelgiumYour journey
London → BrusselsIllustrative route · not a travel itinerary
Five Belgium visa mistakes worth avoiding
Belgium has a clear online-to-TLS route. Most preventable problems come from choosing the wrong country, leaving too little time or presenting a file whose documents do not tell the same story.
- 01Applying to Belgium for appointment convenience
Belgium should be the genuine main destination under the Schengen rules, not simply the country with a visible slot.
- 02Skipping or rushing VisaOnWeb
The official Belgian process begins online. Personal details, passport information and travel purpose should match the evidence you later submit.
- 03Planning travel inside the current 45-day warning
Belgium TLScontact UK presently tells short-stay applicants to allow 45 days, so a last-minute file can create a timing problem even before any document issue is considered.
- 04Paying someone for a “guaranteed” official slot
The Belgian Embassy says it does not work with external agencies for appointment access and cannot provide a private shortcut to an earlier decision.
- 05Letting the itinerary and finances contradict each other
Accommodation, travel dates, purpose, bank activity and employment or sponsor evidence should support one believable trip.
Belgium visa FAQs
Answers to common searches about VisaOnWeb, TLScontact, UK centres, fees, processing time, travel documents and multi-country Schengen trips.
Do UK residents need a visa for Belgium?
UK residence alone does not decide this. British passport holders can normally visit Belgium visa-free for permitted short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. A UK resident travelling on a passport from a visa-required nationality will normally need a short-stay Schengen visa before travelling.
Where can I apply for a Belgium visa in the UK?
Belgium currently directs UK visa applicants to TLScontact visa application centres in London, Manchester and Edinburgh. The application starts online through Belgium's VisaOnWeb system before the in-person submission.
How long does a Belgium visa take from the UK?
The general Schengen framework uses 15 calendar days as the normal decision period and allows longer examination in some cases. However, the Belgium TLScontact UK site currently tells short-stay applicants to take a 45-day processing window into account when planning travel. Follow the live Belgium and TLS notice when you apply.
How much is a Belgium Schengen visa from the UK?
The standard Schengen visa fee is €90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6 to 11, with children under 6 normally exempt. TLScontact currently lists a separate UK service fee of £34.70 per application. Optional services cost extra.
How early can I apply for a Belgium visa?
Under the Schengen rules, an application can normally be lodged up to six months before travel and should be submitted at least 15 days before departure. Belgium's current UK TLS notice is more cautious and tells applicants to allow 45 days, so starting earlier is sensible.
Do I need to use VisaOnWeb before the TLScontact appointment?
Yes. Belgium's official UK guidance tells applicants to create an account and complete the online visa application through VisaOnWeb before following the TLScontact appointment and submission process.
Can an agent guarantee an earlier Belgium visa appointment?
No private service can guarantee an official appointment or influence a visa decision. The Belgian Embassy in the UK says it does not work with external agencies for appointment access and that official appointments themselves are free to book through the TLS system.
What if I hold a UK refugee or other travel document?
Belgium publishes separate rules for UK-issued travel documents. Holders of blue 1951 Convention and red 1954 Convention travel documents need a Schengen visa for Belgium. Belgium says the black UK Certificate of Identity is not recognised by the Benelux authorities and may require a special authorisation process, so use the dedicated official guidance for your document type.
Which country should I apply to for a multi-country Schengen trip?
Apply to the country that is the main destination of your trip. If you are visiting several countries for the same purpose, this is normally where you will spend the longest time. If the stays are equal, the first-entry rule can decide the correct consulate. Do not choose Belgium only because an appointment looks easier to obtain.
EXPLORE · Belgium
Belgium, beyond the application.
A visual pause from the paperwork — Brussels architecture, Bruges canals, historic Ghent and the greener side of a Belgian itinerary.
Make the Belgium file consistent before TLScontact
Check the correct Belgian route, VisaOnWeb details, UK residence evidence, itinerary, finances and purpose-specific documents before submission.
Official sources and checks
Last reviewed . Check current instructions before booking or paying.
Reviewed by Abraham and Tina Zad, 8 years of visa support experience.
How we research, review and correct our guides · Corrections log
UK to Schengen is an independent support service. We are not part of the Belgian government, the Embassy of Belgium in London, VisaOnWeb, the Belgian Immigration Office or TLScontact. We do not issue visas, sell official appointments or influence decisions. Always confirm current requirements, fees, processing notices, appointment instructions and purpose-specific checklists through the official Belgian and TLScontact channels before submitting or paying.
