Stay of less than 3 months: notification and renewal
Are you coming to Belgium for a stay of less than 3 months? Then you must notify the city office of your short stay. You will receive a declaration of arrival.
You may require a short-stay visa type C.
Short-Stay Visa
If you want to come to Belgium for less than 3 months and you are a a non-EU/EEA national, you may require a ‘short-stay visa type C'. A visa is a sticker which is placed in your passport by the consulate of a Schengen country, granting permission to stay in the Schengen area for a specific period.
Check the list of nationalities which do not require a short stay visa
How to apply?
Personally at the competent Belgian embassy or consulate, or at the embassy of the Schengen country which represents Belgium in the country where you live. They will provide you with more information about the visa and the conditions.
Further information
You can find all the information on the visa type C for the Schengen area on the FPS Foreign Affairs website.
Notification of your short stay
Notify the city of your short stay as soon as possible after you arrive in Belgium. You will receive a declaration of arrival.
For whom?
- You are an EU/EEA or non-EU/EEA national, and are coming to Belgium for a stay of no more than 90 days. You are staying at a private address.
Pay attention: You cannot register your short stay with the city if you are staying in a hotel or similar accommodation, nor if you are staying in a hospital. - You are a non-EU/EEA national. After your long stay in Belgium has come to an end, you have deregistered yourself and subsequently want to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days.
This is only possible if you comply with both conditions mentioned herebelow:- You are exempt from visa for a short stay in the Schengen area, or still have a valid residence card of another Schengen member state.
- You will reside at a private address in Leuven during (part of) your short stay. If this is not the case, the 'model 8' (confirmation of deregistration) is sufficient proof of your right to the short stay.
How to apply?
1. Gather the documents
You must add them to your application.
2. Apply for your declaration of arrival
Are you coming with your family? Request a declaration of arrival for each family member separately.
Apply for declaration of arrival
3. We process you application
We process your application.
4. Collect your declaration of arrival
You will receive an invitation by email to collect your declaration of arrival, by appointment.
How to make an appointment?
If you are not in Belgium, you can only make an appointment by phone.
Make an appointment for collection
What do you need to bring?
- National passport or identity card
- Invitation from the city
- The documents mentioned in your invitation
Renewal of short stay
Are you a non-EU/EEA national and are you unable to leave Belgium at the end of your short stay due to exceptional circumstances (e.g. for medical reasons)? In that case, you can submit an application to extend your short stay.
How to apply?
1. Gather the documents
You attach these documents to your application:
- National passport
Biodata page
Pay attention to the requirements - Declaration of arrival
'Annex 3' - Proof of a valid travel insurance
The travel insurance:- Is valid for the duration of the desired extension
- Is valid for the entire Schengen area
- Offers a minimum coverage of € 30,000
- Motivation letter
You explain why you cannot leave Belgium due to exceptional circumstances - Other proof in support of your application for extension
If applicable. - Medical certificate
If you are applying for extension for medical reasons.
Print this document, and have it completed and duly signed by your attending specialist.
2. Apply for your extension
Apply for extension of your short stay
3. We forward your application to the FPS Home Affairs, Immigration Office
As soon as we receive their decision, we shall invite you to come to the city office, by appointment.
How to make an appointment?
What do you need to bring?
- National passport
- Declaration of arrival (‘annex 3’)
More information
Do you have a question?
Contact us, we are happy to help you.