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

A person who does not have the nationality of an EU or EEA country or Switzerland and is coming to Belgium for no more than 90 days, must prove that they have sufficient funds. These must suffice to cover the stay in Belgium and the return or onward journey.

Does this person lack sufficient financial resources? If so, 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 does not have the nationality of an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland and who intends to come to Belgium for no more than 90 days.

Can you stand surety?

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

Please note

  • Holders of an A or H card are usually not eligible.
  • Is your residence status ‘student’? If so, you cannot stand surety.

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 during your appointment at the counter.

Step 2: Make an appointment at the city office to authenticate your signature on the document

How to make an appointment?

You can do so online or by phone. If you are not in Belgium, you can only make an appointment by phone.

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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 be faster this way.
      • Use the pdf version of the document.
      • Are you completing the form on paper by hand? Only in this case may you use the docx version.
    • Fill in the document completely, but do not yet sign it. You do so at the counter.
    • Print the completed 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 next?

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 be faster this way.
      • Use the pdf version of the document.
      • Are you completing the form on paper by hand? Only in this case may you use the docx version.
    • Fill in the document completely, but do not yet sign it. You do so at the counter.
    • Print the completed 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 next?

  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 weeks.
  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 be faster this way.
      • Use the pdf version of the document.
      • Are you completing the form on paper by hand? Only in this case may you use the docx version.
    • Fill in the document completely, but do not yet sign it. You do so at the counter.
    • Print the completed 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 next?

  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 weeks.
  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 present the documents during a border check.

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.
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