The student visa: who is concerned?

Any foreign national wishing to:

• Study at a recognised higher education institution
• Complete a preparatory year for higher education

May obtain a provisional residence permit, subject to meeting certain conditions.

Reduce your costs with our « Do It Yourself » guide

Halabi & Associates has designed a specific tool to help you:

• Reduce the costs associated with the procedure
• Access reliable legal content, drafted by lawyers
• Follow templates and practical examples
• Benefit from practical advice for your application

What are the conditions for obtaining a student visa?

Enrolment or pre-enrolment

You must provide a certificate of enrolment or pre-enrolment at an institution that is:

• Organised
• Recognised
• Or subsidised by public authorities

A diploma equivalence is generally required.

Sufficient means of subsistence

The student must prove that they have monthly resources equivalent to:

• EUR 2,131.28 net/month for the guarantor (amount indexed as of 01/01/2025)
• + EUR 803 net/month per student supported

Examples:

• Minimum amount required for 1 student: EUR 2,131.28 + EUR 803 = EUR 2,934.28
• Minimum amount required for 2 students: EUR 2,131.28 + 2 x EUR 803 = EUR 3,737.28

How to prove these resources?

• Scholarship or loan certificate
• Sponsorship commitment (Annex 32)
• Certificate of a blocked amount of EUR 9,636 (EUR 803 x 12 months)
• Income generated by gainful activity (from the 2nd year onwards)

Other mandatory conditions

• Medical certificate proving the absence of certain diseases
• Criminal record extract (if over 21 years old), proving the absence of convictions
• Partial work authorisation: possibility to work max. 20 hours/week, via a C work permit

Diploma equivalence: a mandatory step

To study in Belgium, you must have your foreign diplomas recognised. Two types of equivalence are possible:

• Secondary education
• Higher education

Good to know Equivalence is not required for doctorates, but you must have the prior agreement of a thesis supervisor.

Higher education options

Find the complete list of institutions and programmes via:

• GO4SUP: search engine by province
• Official directory of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation