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The pledge of financial support, also known as “annex 32” can only be signed by one person (the sponsor), who will be guaranteeing payment of travel, living, educational, medical, and repatriation expenses. The sponsor must come to the Embassy in person to sign the document in front of the Visa Desk staff. Since Annex 32 can only be signed by the sponsor, it is not possible to send a representative.
Who can become a sponsor?
- (Non-EU) family members of the applicant up to and including the third degree (i.e., parent, grandparent, sibling, aunt/uncle) - The family member acting as a sponsor must submit official proof of family relationship (for example, a kosekitohon), which should be translated* and legalized as a mean of Apostille (see directions > translation and legalization) *Translation is not required if the original document is in Dutch, French, German, English, or Japanese.
- Belgian nationals - The sponsor should bring his/her Belgian ID card as proof
- EU citizens with more than 3 months right of residence in Belgium or another EU country - The sponsor should bring his/her Belgian or European resident card as proof
- Non-EU citizens admitted or authorized to reside in Belgium or in another EU country for an unlimited period of time - The sponsor should bring his/her Belgian or European resident card as proof
In addition to the above, the sponsor should also be able to prove sufficient income (see below). If the Visa Desk cannot confirm that the sponsor has sufficient income, the pledge of financial support will be DENIED.
How much income should the sponsor have?
The sponsor who signs this pledge of financial support regular and sufficient income to sponsor in the student’s health treatment, housing, and repatriation, for at least one academic year.
The guarantor must have a regular income. Minimum 2892.55 euro NET income per month = minimum 491,734 JPY NET income per month (tedori). Please see the consular rates for the current conversion rate as used by the Embassy.
If the person earns less than 491,734 JPY (tedori) per month, he/she cannot become a sponsor -> the student must find a different sponsor or choose a different method of proving sufficient means (see "proof of sufficient means" on the list).
When and where to sign and receive annex 32?
If the sponsor resides in Japan
In Japan, the sponsor is requested to present him/herself to the Embassy of Belgium in Tokyo at the same time as the student's visa application.
If the sponsor resides in Belgium
This document (Dutch or French) may be obtained by the sponsor from their municipal office in Belgium.
If the sponsor does not reside in Belgium or Japan: If the sponsor does not reside in Belgium, he/she may request the document from the embassy or consulate responsible for his/her country of residence.
Which documents should the sponsor bring?
1. The French or Dutch Annex 32, completely filled in but left unsigned.
- The form must be completed in the language of the school the student will be attending (Dutch or French), but should only be signed in front of the Visa Desk staff.
- Sponsors who cannot read Dutch or French may use the English translations as a guide to filling in the Dutch or French annex 32: French-English or Dutch-English (only to be used as a reference, do not fill this form in).
2. Proof that he/she is eligible to become a sponsor (see above "Who can become a sponsor?" ) + 2 copies
3. Exact cash amount to pay for the legalization of the signature fee: 3,400 JPY
4. To prove sufficient income, the sponsor must also bring:
If the sponsor works for an organization or company and receives a salary:
- Original photo ID: Passport, driver’s license, national ID, MyNumber Card, or other
- Original salary slips for at least the last 3 months + 2 copies each
- Original employment contract or certificate of employment, clearly mentioning the type and duration of employment, and valid for min. the length of sponsorship + 2 copies
If the sponsor is independent or a freelancer:
- Original photo ID: Passport, driver’s license, national ID, MyNumber Card, or other
- Official proof of yearly NET and GROSS income
- Official proof of payment of social security + 2 copies
- Copy of the tax declaration of the previous year (called KAKUTEI-SHINKOKUSHO in Japanese) + 2 copies
- Bank statments covering the last 3 months proving monthly regular income as explained above + 2 copies
5. An unused and self-addressed Letter Pack Plus (red envelope, 520 JPY) to return the original documents submitted by the sponsor. Alternatively, the documents can be returned together with the student's documents.
Language and currency of the financial proof
In principle, the documents do not need to be translated if they are in Japanese, English, Dutch, French, or German.
The documents proving income do not need to be converted to EURO. The Visa Desk will use the consular rate to convert the amounts from YEN to EURO.
Legalization through the e-legalization system
The signature on Annex 32 will be legalized through our e-legalization system. When the legalization is ready, the confirmation of the legalization will be sent directly to the e-mail of the student or sponsor.
Therefore, it is very important that the student or the sponsor informs the visa desk to which e-mail address the confirmation of the e-legalization should be sent.
The confirmation e-mail will be sent by the e-mail address noreply@diplobel.fed.be, with the subject “Dossier treated: Closed”
Attention: Depending on your e-mail settings, the confirmation e-mail could be categorized as spam/junk mail. If more than a week has passed and you have not received the confirmation of the e-legalization, please check your spam folder before contacting the Visa Desk.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Can I combine the income of 2 sponsors?
A: No. Only one person can sign the pledge for sponsorship. Therefore, we can only consider the income of the person who will sign the pledge.
Q: My father cannot take time off from work. Can my mother sign the pledge as his representative?
A: No. To be able to legalize the signature, the sponsor must sign the pledge in the presence of the visa desk staff. If it is impossible for your intended sponsor to come to the Embassy, please choose a different sponsor who CAN come to Embassy. Or choose a different method of proving sufficient means.
Q: My sponsor’s monthly salary is less than the minimum amount, but he/she does receive a very large bonus. Can that be counted as part of his/her regular income?
A: Yes, but only if the bonus is guaranteed (e.g. a fixed summer/winter bonus). If the bonus is not guaranteed (e.g. a bonus based on performance, where the amount is not fixed or guaranteed), it cannot be counted as part of their regular income.
Q: My sponsor’s monthly salary is less than the minimum amount, but he /she has other streams of income. Can they be counted as part of his/her regular income.
A: Maybe. The Visa Desk can only judge after seeing the documents. Please bring all documents that clearly prove additional regular income on the day of your appointment.
Q: How long is the Annex 32 valid for?
A: The legalization of the signature is valid for 1 year after the date on which the document was signed. If more time has passed, and the student needs an Annex 32 to renew his/her resident card in Belgium, the sponsor will need to sign a new Annex 32 at the Embassy (and prove that he/she still fulfills the conditions to become a sponsor).
