Visa for Belgium

Where, when and how can you submit your visa application?
How much isthe handling fee(cost for processing your visa application)?
Required documents
Checking the status of your visa application
Schengen representation for visa
Medical certificate –Certified doctors
Contact

1. Where, when and how can you submit a visa application?

To apply for a visa you first need to request an appointment at the KCC Kenza Call Center and not at the Embassy. The KCC service can be contacted at 3636 from Sunday to Thursday between 8 am and 5 pm. You may want to specify your preferences for a particular day or time for the introduction of your visa application at the Consulate. - Appointments are given for the following working days: Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8:10 am to 11 am.

The KCC can be reached from all fixed and mobile networks. You must dial 3636 directly, without any prefix (only from Algeria). Some companies block the access to extra charged numbers. In that case you must call from a taxi phone.

2. How much isthe handling fee (cost for processing your visa application)?

The handling fee is paid cash in Algerian Dinar at the Embassy.

The handling fee for a short term stay visa (C) is the equivalent of 60 euro, or 7.620 DZA.

For a long term stay visa (D) the handling fee is the equivalent of 180 euro, or 22.860 DZA. An additional contribution is required for the processing of certain visa D applications, in which case you will be requested to submit a proof of payment of this additional contribution as a part of your visa application. If you are unable to do so at the time of the submission of your application, the application will be considered inadmissible.

Please note that the handling fee, is to be paid at the time of the application. In case the applicant is exempt from paying the handling fee, he or she is not automatically exempted from paying the additional contribution. For more information about this, we refer you to theImmigration Officewebsite.

There are certain exceptions to the standard fee of 60 euros for a C visa and 180 euro for a D visa. You can find all relevant information with this regard on the website of the foreigner’s office.

3. Required documents

You can downloadthe visa application form and you will find all conditions on the FPS Home Affairs Immigration Officewebsite, the only competent authority for the admittance, stay, residence and removal of foreigners.

Short stay visa (= max. 90 days)

In September 2014 a harmonized list of supporting documents to present by visa applicants in Algeria, was agreed upon between the Delegation of the European Union and the Schengen Member States in the framework of the local Schengen cooperation in Alger.

A list of insurance companies (cfr Annex I – page 5) offering a 'Schengen Travel Health Insurance' was also established by the local Schengen cooperation (cfr Annex II – page 7).

Biometry – Visa Information System

Since28/02/2013, the application procedure for ashort stay visa (max. 90 days) has changed due to the implementation of the “Visa Information System” (VIS) involving the integration of biometric data in visas.

The most important objectives of the VIS are: simplifying the issuance of visas, facilitating checks at the external border and improving security ofall involved, including the visa applicants.

Consequently, this means that since 28/02/2013, all Schengen visa applicants must appear in person to have their 10 fingerprints and their photograph registered. These data are stored for 5 years.For more extensive information, we refer you to the European Union website.

Long stay visa (= more than 90 days)

All general information regarding visa applications for long stays and the supporting documents can be found on the website of the Immigration Office

The registration of biometric data (fingerprints and photo) is compulsory for all student visa applications.

Two categories of students are exempt from the registration of biometric data:

-Scholarship students

-Students that participate in an exchange programme or that avail of inter-university mobility

4. Information about specific (local) documents

Medical certificate – Certified doctors

If you needa medical certificate we invite you to contact one of the doctors certified by the Embassy:

Dr. Dan BERREZAG, general practitioner
5, rue Larbi Zenine
23000 ANNABA
Téléphone: + 213 (0) 38 867492

Dr. BACON Madkour Mohamed, specialist
Internal Medicine
2 Bd Bouzered Hocine
23000 ANNABA
Téléphone: + 213 (0) 38 863806

Dr. NEKKACHE Amine, general practitioner
1, Rue St. Michel Dupere-Plateau
31000 ORAN
Téléphone: + 213 (0) 771 387120

Dr. CHAOUCHE Zahia, general practitioner
Cité des Asphodèles, Bt D n ° 15
16000 Ben-Aknoun, ALGER
Téléphone: + 213 (0) 21 9138015

Legalisation

Since 1 January 2012 the documents for legalization can be submitted without - appointment on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11:30 to 12:00 am. The legalized documents can be collected on the same days from 03:30 to 04:00 pm.

The documents presented to be legalized:

-if they are -written in Arabic: must be accompanied by a translation -made by a sworn translator, and both the original and its translation must be legalized by the Algerian authorities;
if they are -written in French: must be legalized by the Algerian authorities.

The procedure to be followed for some documents:

-Civil status document/document of the ' PCA ': must first be legalized - by the daïra of issue -, then legalized by the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The last step is the legalization at the Embassy.
Criminal record/copy of a judgment: legalization by the Algerian Ministry of Justice first, then legalized by the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The last step is the legalization at the Embassy.
Diploma: legalization by the Algerian Ministry of National Education or Higher Education first, then legalized by the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The last step is the legalization at the Embassy.

The address for the legalization by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the following: -Plateau des Annassers - Kouba - Algiers.

The private individuals who wish to legalize their signature can accomplish this by signing the documents concerned at the Embassy counter.

5. Checking the status of your visa application

Belgian embassies and consulates general must submit certain visa applications to the Immigration Office of the Federal Public Service Home Affairs for a final decision. It is the only competent authority with regards to the admittance, stay, residence and removal of foreigners from Belgian territory.

In such a case, your file number will be communicated to you by the embassy or consulate generalupon the submission of your file to the Immigration Office. From this stage onwards, the Immigration Office is the only authority to contact, if you wish to know the status of your application.

With the filenumber you can inquire about the status of your application(Antwerpsesteenweg 59B, 1000 Brussels, T: +32.2.793.80.00, ).Using this number, you can also check the status of your visa application on theImmigration Officewebsite.

Once a decision has been taken, The Belgian Embassy or Consulate general will inform you in writing, by telephone or orally.

6. Schengen representation

In Alger, Belgium represents Luxembourg for handling short stay visa applications (max. 90 days) and long stay visa applications (more than 90 days).

7. Contact

Should you still have questions, please contact us via by phone on 021 92 53 80 - 021 92 24 46.

Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday: between 8 and 12 am and between 1 and 4 pm. On Tuesdays the visa counters are closed.

ANNEX I

List of supporting documents to be presented by visa applicants in Algeria

1)Evidence of the purpose of travel:

(a)Business

-Invitation letter from a firm in the primary destination Schengen country, specifying the reason for the visit and the date(s), along with documentary evidence of the business relationship (contracts, invoices, correspondence, proof of import, etc.)

(b)Official mission

-Verbal note or mission order: given name(s) and last name(s) of the missionary; official job title; purpose of the trip; date of employment; commitment of the sending entity to cover trip costs for the missionary.

(c)Family/private visit

-Invitation from the host family, where applicable (some Member States may require a specific form used for the invitation letter.

-For a family visit: proof of family ties (e.g. a fiche familiale d’état civil (family record from the register office)).

(d)Tourism

-Hotel reservation.

2)Evidence of accommodation during the visit(s):

-confirmation of accommodation provided by the host firm, or

-a hotel reservation, or

-confirmation of private accommodation, stating coverage of costs by the host, or

-proof of rental or ownership of property, or

-proof of sufficient means to cover accommodation costs.

3)Evidence of means of subsistence during the visit(s) to the Schengen area:

-coverage of costs by the inviting/ sending entity (certain Member States require use of a specific national form), or

-coverage of costs by a private individual (and proof of means from the host or guarantor) (certain Member States require use of a specific national form), or

-account statement from a bank in Algeria for the last three months, or

-other proof of financial means available during the visit (international credit card, traveller’s cheques, etc.).

4)Evidence of socio-economic stability (enabling assessment of the applicant's intention to leave the Schengen area before expiry of the requested visa):

-Officials: act of appointment or certificate of tenure and last payslip;

-Employees: certificate of employment or recent employment contract + payslips for the last three months, certificate of affiliation to the CNAS (national social security scheme) or explanatory letter of the employer if this certificate is missing;

-Traders: proof of entry in the trade register + proof of CASNOS (national social security scheme for self-employed persons) membership + C20 form showing the turnover and balance sheet + bank statements for the last three months;

-Farmers: proof of farmer status + farmer’s card + most recent declaration of annual income;

-Pensioners: proof of receipt of a retirement pension;

-Students or minors: evidence of the parents’ social or employment status and, where applicable, school attendance certificate or student card;

-Un-employed persons: proof of adequate socio-economic status (e.g.: marriage certificate, family record book, documents confirming ownership of a propriety).

5)Non-Algerian nationals:

Algerian residence card, valid for at least three months after expiry of the requested visa or, in case of expiry, accompanied by a letter of the applicant confirming that he/she re-applied for a new residence card which has not been issued yet.

6)Minors:

The consent of the parental authority or legal guardian should be required only if the minor travels alone or only with one parent. Obviously exceptions should be made to this if the single parent with whom the minor is to travel holds the parental authority alone

7)Documents to be submitted by persons of specific profession/occupation:

Member of the Government, Parliament or Constitutional Council: Verbal note, certificate of tenure or some other official document;

Staff from the European delegation or from an embassy, consulate or official body of a Schengen country or other EU Member State: Certificate of tenure from the European delegation, or embassy or consulate;

Notary: Appointing decree;

Other professions, organised by a professional body (doctors, surgeons, dentists, pharmacists, lawyers, architects, and members of their families): Certificate from the professional body;

Judges: Certificate of tenure from the Ministry of Justice;

High-level officials (Algerian civil servants in a group A body (within the meaning of Article 8 of the Algerian civil service regulations) and staff appointed to a high-level role within the meaning of Article15 of the same regulations): Certificate of tenure from the relevant body;

Academic (assistant, lecturer, senior lecturer, director, dean of faculty, rector): Certificate of tenure from the higher education establishment;

Officers of the Algerian army: Certificate of tenure from the Ministry of National Defence (DREC);

Journalist: Certificate of employment from the publication or broadcaster;

Spouse and dependent children (minor or not) of the persons mentioned above: Fiche familiale d’état civil (family record from the register office) proving the family tie

Annex II: Insurance companies offering a 'Schengen Travel Health Insurance'

-'TAAMINE LIFE ALGERIE (TALA)':the travel health insurance provided by this -company can be obtained at the agencies of the * CAAT (Compagnie Algérienne des Assurances de Dommages et de Personnes) (decision published in the ‘Journal Officiel’ n ° 23 of 17 April 2011)

-'CAARAMA assurance': the travel health insurance provided by this -company can be obtained at the agencies of the * C (Compagnie Algérienne d'Assurance et de Réassurance) (decision published in the JO n ° 23 of 17 April 2011) and in the agencies of the * CASH (distribution agreement with CAARAMA Assurance);

-'AMANA': the travel health insurance provided by this company can be obtained at the agencies of the SAA (Société Algérienne d'Assurance) (decision published in the JO n ° 23 of 17 April 2011);

-'MACIR VIE' (affiliate of the CIAR) (decision No 67 of 11 August 2011, published in the JO n ° 56 of 16 October 2011);

-'AXA Assurances Vie' Algérie (decision n ° 79 of 2 November 2011)