Pre-departure information

All students (unless an EU citizen) will need to apply for a student visa to Belgium. 

Currently visa applications are being accepted by mail and through in-person appointments at the consulate. Please send your application to the consular mission with jurisdiction over the state where you reside. The Belgian visa application requires many documents that take time to get. Start your visa application as soon as you are accepted to KU Leuven.

https://www.kuleuven.be/english/life-at-ku-leuven/immigration-residence/long-stay-visa-type-d-visa-for-stays-longer-than-90-days

To learn more about the application process and required documents click on the following links: 

https://unitedstates.diplomatie.belgium.be/en/travel-belgium/visa-belgium/national-visa-d-visa

https://unitedstates.diplomatie.belgium.be/sites/default/files/2024-03/1.1%20Checklist%20Residency%20Visa_Students%20Higher%20Education.pdf

https://www.kuleuven.be/english/life-at-ku-leuven/immigration-residence/long-stay-visa-type-d-visa-for-stays-longer-than-90-days/students-including-doctoral-scholarship-holders/index.html. 

For questions, email studentimmigration@kuleuven.be 

Feedback from students who were denied and had to appeal:

• Bank accounts need to be in the student's name only. The Swedish Migration Agency wants proof of sufficient funds for their time abroad and proof that the funds are solely available to the student.

• Students need to scan their passport through the Freja app, a Swedish electronic identification app, before mailing in their application. Even though students submit a copy of their passport when they apply, they also have to scan it digitally.  

• The Freja app can be finicky- there are tips online to help like taking the cover off your phone and moving your phone very slowly as you scan. 

• If your application is denied and you must appeal, the letter that comes from the Swedish Migration Agency provides an address to a Box at the Migrations Department in the city of Umea. The postal code they provide is 901 08. Courier services here may not recognize that postal code in their systems and suggest another postal code that will work. DHL used 903 30 and it was delivered, so don't be concerned if the courier tells you they need to update it.

NOTE: Visa application rules change frequently and the university cannot control visa acceptance. You are responsible for applying for and providing the proper documentation to the consulate or embassy.