Standing surety for family, friends or tourists (annex 3bis)

A person who is not an EU, EEA or Swiss national and is coming to Belgium for maximum 3 months, must prove that they have sufficient income to pay for their stay and return or transit. 

Does this person lack sufficient financial resources? Then you can sign a ‘formal obligation’ (annex 3bis). By means of this document you confirm that you will pay for these costs if they are unable to do so themselves. 

For whom can you stand surety?

For a person who is not an EU, EEA or Swiss national and who intends to come to Belgium for maximum 3 months.

Can you stand surety?

Check the conditions with the Immigration Office of the federal authorities.

Attention

  • Holders of an A or H card are usually not eligible.
  • The minimum amount required to stand surety has been increased significantly.

What do you need to do so as to stand surety?

Step 1: Complete a ‘formal obligation’ (annex 3bis)

Complete the document, but do not yet sign it. You only do so at the counter.

Step 2: Make an appointment with the city office

We authenticate your signature on the document.

How to make an appointment?

If you are not in Belgium, you can only make an appointment by phone.

Make an appointment

What do you need to bring?

This depends on the situation.

What is the situation of the person you want to stand surety for? *

What do you need to bring?

  • Proof of identity
    • You are a Belgian: Belgian identity card
    • You are not a Belgian: national passport or identity card and Belgian residence permit
  • ‘Formal obligation’ (annex 3bis)
    • Preferably complete the form digitally (not by hand). Processing will then be faster.
    • Do not yet sign it. You do so at the counter.
    • Print the form on both sides.
    • You may submit up to 3 annexes during a single appointment.
    • Follow these instructions, otherwise we will have to reject your application. 

What happens afterwards?

You provide the original authenticated ‘formal obligation’ and additional required documents to the person you are standing surety for. They can then apply for a visa.

What do you need to bring?

  • Proof of identity
    • You are a Belgian: Belgian identity card
    • You are not a Belgian: national passport or identity card and Belgian residence permit
  • Proof of your income
    • Employee: your 3 most recent payslips
    • Self-employed: at least your most recent assessment notice
  • ‘Formal obligation’ (annex 3bis)
    • Preferably complete the form digitally (not by hand). Processing will then be faster. 
    • Do not yet sign it. You do so at the counter.
    • Print the form on both sides.
    • You may submit up to 3 annexes during a single appointment.
    • Follow these instructions, otherwise we will have to reject your application. 

What happens afterwards?

  1. We forward your authenticated ‘formal obligation’ and additional required documents to the Immigration Office of the federal authorities.
  2. The Immigration Office assesses your application. This may take several months.
  3. We contact you as soon as the Immigration Office returns the ‘formal obligation’ to us.
  4. You can collect this document.
  5. You provide it to the person you are standing surety for.
  6. This person provides the documents to the embassy.

What do you need to bring?

  • Proof of identity
    • You are a Belgian: Belgian identity card
    • You are not a Belgian: national passport or identity card and Belgian residence permit
  • Proof of your income
    • Employee: your 3 most recent payslips
    • Self-employed: at least your most recent assessment notice
  • ‘Formal obligation’ (annex 3bis)
    • Preferably complete the form digitally (not by hand). Processing will then be faster. 
    • Do not yet sign it. You do so at the counter.
    • Print the form on both sides.
    • You may submit up to 3 annexes during a single appointment.
    • Follow these instructions, otherwise we will have to reject your application. 

What happens afterwards?

  1. We forward your authenticated ‘formal obligation’ and additional required documents to the Immigration Office of the federal authorities.
  2. The Immigration Office assesses your application. This may take several months.
  3. We contact you as soon as the Immigration Office returns the ‘formal obligation’ to us.
  4. You can collect this document.
  5. You provide it to the person you are standing surety for.
  6. This person must be able to provide the documents at border control.

More information

Do you have a question?

Contact us. We are happy to help you.

Call us

016 27 21 94

Mail us

nietbelgen@leuven.be
We will get back to you as soon as possible.
Something wrong or unclear on this page? Let us know.