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 

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.