Schengen visa to get married to an EU citizen (non-Belgian) in Belgium

Only applicable for nationals who are not exempted from obtaining a Schengen visa (in other words, Japanese citizens cannot apply for this visa).
If you are Japanese, or of another nationality that is exempted from obtaining a Schengen visa, please refer to the comment below*2
If your fiancé/e in Belgium is not a Belgian, nor an EU citizen, please contact tokyo.visa@diplobel.fed.be with the relevant information.

Note for Schengen visa (Short Stay Visa C) applicants

Non-Japanese citizens should consult the webpage of the European Commission to see whether they need a Short Stay Schengen visa for their intended trip.
Please note that you may submit your visa application 6 months prior to the intended date of departure.
We strongly recommend that you apply at least 3 weeks before the intended date of departure.
If you hold a special passport or travel document such as a Diplomatic/Official/Service Passport, etc., please contact us by e-mail.
Use the Schengen calculator to calculate your allowed period of stay.

List of supporting documents

Please prepare 1 set of original documents and 2 sets of copies in the order mentioned below.

List of supporting documetns
	DOCUMENT	TYPE	COMMENT
For the non-Belgian visa applicant
1	Visa Application Form	2 originals	Printed from VOW Signed and dated. Do not use a hyphen (-) to input your telephone number in VOW; this could result in an error in the system.
2	Passport	1 original + 2 copies of the data page	Issued less than 10 years ago. Valid for at least more than 3 months beyond the validity of the requested visa. With a minimum of 3 consecutive blank pages with the mention ‘visa’ available (for affixing the visa sticker) Undamaged.
3	Recent photographs (for passports, IDs etc.)	3 originals	Conform to ICAO standards 1 photo to be attached to each application form 1 photo to be submitted separately Full name to be written on the back of each photo.
4	National identity card	1 original + 2 copies	If you are in possession of one
5	Valid Japanese residence card	1 original + 2 copies of the front and back	Should be valid for at least 6 more months on the date of submission of your visa application file to this embassy
6	Travel insurance	1 original + 2 copies	Valid at least up until the date when you will start being covered by the Belgian mutual insurance; Covering any costs of repatriation for medical reasons, emergency medical care, and/or emergency hospital care during your stay/s on the Schengen territory; Must be covered by an EU or Japanese insurance company; The minimum cover should be 30,000 EUR.
7	Proof of sufficient personal means of subsistence to cover the costs of your stay in Belgium	1 original + 2 copies	If the visa applicant does not have sufficient means, a Formal Obligation (annex 3bis) can be substituted. See number 12 below. For more information in detail, please refer to the comment below*1
8	A chronological history/account of your relationship	1 original + 2 copies	Any proof of a lasting and stable relationship between you and your fiancé/e.
For the EU (non-Belgian) citizen fiancé/e
9	National ID card	3 copies	Copy of the front and back
10	Belgian resident card	3 copies	Copy of the front and back
11	A Formal Obligation	1 original + 2 copies	Only necessary if the visa applicant does not have sufficient means of subsistence of his/her own. A Formal Obligation (Annex 3bis): a guaranty/sponsorship form, signed and legalized by a Belgian public authority. Please read the link above very carefully. The signed and legalized Annex 3bis should be added to your application file, together with the following documents from the guarantor: Copy of the Belgian ID card or resident card of the guarantor Proof of sufficient income (for the last 3 months) Certificate of family composition Any other documents that might help outline the guarantor’s financial situation
12	Act of declaration of marriage	1 original + 2 copies	To be drawn up by the municipal office at fiancé/e’s place of residence in Belgium, no earlier than 6 months before the visa application
13	Proof that the fiancé/e residing in Belgium is affiliated with a mutual insurance/has medical insurance	1 original + 2 copies	Certificate of registration from a Belgian mutual insurance
14	Proof that the fiancé/e residing in Belgium has stable, regular and sufficient means of subsistence	1 original + 2 copies	For more information in detail, please refer to the comment below*1
15	Proof that the fiancé/e residing in Belgium has sufficient housing	1 original + 2 copies	Rental contract with a MyRent registration. OR Proof of ownership of a residence For more information in detail, please refer to the comment below*1
Visa fee NEW : From 1 March 2025, only electronic payment methods will be received at the Belgian Embassy in Toyo. Cash will no longer be accepted. For accepted types of payments, please see below: Image Click here for detailed information on prices and exemptions

*1

The following webpage of the Belgian Immigration Office provides more information in detail regarding the above list, please be sure to check it very carefully to complete your visa application file:

NL: Visum met het oog op huwelijk of samenwoning in België

FR: Visa en vue de se marier ou de cohabiter en Belgique

*2

Japanese citizens are not eligible to receive a Short Stay Schengen visa when they travel to Belgium for a short visit (no more than 90 days per period of 180 days), regardless of the travel goal. However, they are required to satisfy the Schengen entry conditions (read more).

If you are Japanese, or of another nationality that is exempted from obtaining a Schengen visa, you cannot receive a C visa to enter Belgium with the view to get married to your fiancé/e in Belgium.

When traveling to Belgium, you will be required to prove to the Border Authorities that you fulfil the Schengen entry conditions, including the intention to stay less than 90 days. During your short stay in Belgium, you will be able to initiate the marriage procedure directly at the municipal office. It is strongly recommended to contact the municipal office of your fiancé/e’s place of residence in Belgium to receive information about the marriage process and the necessary documents before your departure.

If the municipal office in Belgium requires the following documents, please refer to the directions for information in detail.

Certificate of criminal record
Medical certificate
A document (e.g. birth certificate, family register, etc.) issued by a Japanese public authority, duly translated and legalized

Important notes

No application will be accepted without VOW (visa on web) and an e-appointment. Please refer to the “VOW Guidance”.
The final outcome of your visa application will be a direct result of the information that can be found in the supporting documents you have presented. If you wish for a specific outcome, please provide sufficient documents to prove the necessity of that outcome.
The final decision for this type of visa is made by the Belgian Immigration Office, and in such a case, it can take several months for the result to be communicated to the visa desk. Only when the visa desk receives permission from the Immigration Office, the visa can be delivered.
Please apply as early as you can.

(In)complete documents

The visa desk reserves the right to request additional documents (even if not featured in the list above) or to invite the applicant to an interview if deemed necessary.
An incomplete application file can result in a visa refusal. However, a complete file does not guarantee the issuance of a visa. Be informed that the visa section has no obligation to ask for missing documents. If a document is missing, it will be assumed that you are unable to provide it, or that you do not wish to provide it.

Language

All official documents issued by a (foreign) public authority (e.g. birth certificate, proof of celibacy, etc.) should be accompanied by an official translation (by a sworn/professional translator) into one of Belgium’s official languages: French, Dutch, or German. Please also make sure that all official documents comply with the legalization/translation requirements.
All non-official documents (e.g. proof of relationship, bank statements, flight tickets, etc.), should be accompanied by a translation (free translation by yourself, or by a sworn/professional translator) into one of Belgium’s official languages (French, Dutch, or German) or English.

Financial proof

Financial proof (salary slip, certificate of scholarship, bank statement, etc.) should always be presented in EURO. If the original currency is not EURO, please convert the sums using a reliable currency converter such as xe.com or oanda.com, and mention the conversion rate and date of conversion.

Preparation of the application file

Unless otherwise indicated, documents sent by fax or email are not accepted.
All copies must be A4 size.
Setting - in the order listed above:

1 original application form +1 set of copies of other documents listed above

and