Family or friendly visa
A family or friendly visa to visit relatives in Belgium
Family visas and friendly visas are short-stay visas that enable a person to visit family members or friends living in a foreign country, particularly within the Schengen area. A temporary stay to reunite with loved ones.
Travelling to meet up with family or friends is an essential experience for many people living abroad. However, to enter Europe or the Schengen area, a visa is often required. Among the various types of short-stay visa, the family/friend visa is a popular option for those wishing to visit loved ones for a limited time.
The family/friendly visa is a short-stay visa enabling a person to visit family members or friends residing in a foreign country, particularly within the Schengen area. It is issued for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period, and is often subject to strict conditions, such as proof of an invitation from a resident of the country visited, financial guarantees and travel insurance.
Unlike a simple tourist visa, this type of visa is based on a personal link with a local resident, which often requires supporting documents to establish this personal link.
What are the most common reasons for applying for a family or friendship visa?
There are various reasons for applying for a short-stay visa for family or friends. Here are the most common reasons:
- Reuniting with family after a long separation: Many people live far from their loved ones because of expatriation, studies or work. This visa helps bridge the distance and re-establish a direct link.
- Taking part in a family event: Weddings, birthdays, anniversaries or even funerals are all important moments that call for temporary relocation.
- Supporting a loved one in difficulty: Illness, hospitalization, or serious personal problems, certain circumstances require a physical presence and moral support.
- Holidaying with friends or family: A family or friendly visa lets you visit loved ones while enjoying a relaxing break.
- Make an exploratory visit before deciding to settle: Some people want to visit a country and see family and friends before deciding to study, work or settle there.
- Introduce your partner to your family: A long-distance relationship may involve formal introductions before considering long-term plans such as marriage or applying for a more permanent visa.
- Attend a cultural or religious event in the company of loved ones: Some travelers come for religious ceremonies, festivals or other occasions with community significance.
- Accompanying a child or elderly relative on a trip: Sometimes a parent needs to accompany a minor child on a trip, or an adult needs to visit an elderly relative in need of assistance.
- Discovering a new country with a loved one: Some visitors prefer to travel with a local resident who will introduce them to the culture. There's no better way to discover Belgium than with a Belgian!
- Enjoy a moment of respite: A short trip to visit a loved one can also be an opportunity to recharge one's batteries and escape stressful everyday life.
Whatever the reason for your stay, your visa application must be well prepared. Indeed, one of the major concerns of the Foreign Office is to ensure that you are telling the truth about your travel intentions.
Striking a balance between transparency and guarantees of return to the country of origin
Obtaining a family or friendly visa is a subtle balancing act between two contradictory requirements:
- Be transparent about your intentions and justify your ties to Belgium: You need to reinforce the legitimacy of your trip by clearly explaining why you wish to visit a loved one. The letter of invitation, family ties and other proof of connection with Belgium can be decisive factors in the acceptance of your application.
Provide solid guarantees of return to the country of origin: The Office des Étrangers must be convinced that, despite these ties in Belgium, the applicant has stronger reasons to return to his or her country of origin. This may include a stable job, a dependent family, a property, or any other proof of solid roots.
This dual imperative can make the application complex: too much emphasis on ties in Belgium can give the impression that the applicant will not return, while too little emphasis on ties in Belgium risks rejection for lack of justification for the trip. The aim, therefore, is to present a balanced and coherent dossier that reassures the authorities on both sides.
Factors to consider when applying for a family or friendship visa
- Proof of financial resources: As with all short-stay visas, you must prove that you have sufficient financial resources to cover your entire stay in Belgium. This includes living and travel expenses, with a minimum requirement that is regularly indexed according to your type of accommodation.
- Accommodation with family or friends: Unlike a traditional tourist visa, you'll probably be staying with family or friends. You'll need to provide proof of accommodation, confirming that you'll be staying with them.
- The role of the guarantor: If you're staying with a relative, he or she may have to act as your guarantor. By signing an attestation d'accueil, the guarantor undertakes to accommodate you and cover your expenses for the duration of your stay. The guarantor will also have to comply with certain formalities, such as presenting documents proving his or her financial capacity and submitting the attestation to the Foreigners' Office.
- Documents to be provided in your home country and in Belgium: To apply for a visa, you'll need to gather and complete a number of documents, both in your home country and in Belgium. In particular, you'll need to prove your relationship with the person you're visiting, as well as your intention to leave at the end of your stay.
- Return ticket: As with any short-stay visa, you'll need to provide proof of return, often in the form of a plane ticket or travel reservation, to prove that you don't intend to stay beyond the authorized duration.
