Belgium raises long-stay (Visa D) application fee to €250 from 1 July 2026

The Belgian Visa Application Centre (CEV) in Kinshasa published a notice on 23 June 2026 confirming that the statutory fee for all national long-stay visas (Visa D) will rise to €250 as of 1 July 2026. The increase – up from the current €180 – applies to study, work, family reunion and investor categories worldwide because the amount is set in federal regulation. According to the Immigration Office (DVZ/OE), the hike reflects higher administrative costs linked to biometric enrolment, cross-checking against EU information systems and the move to a fully digital application portal expected later this year. The adjustment aligns Belgium with neighbouring Netherlands (€285) and Germany (€250) and is part of a broader migration-financing package passed by Parliament in March. Corporate mobility teams will need to adjust relocation budgets immediately. For example, a family of four moving on an intra-corporate transfer will now pay €1,000 in visa fees, an increase of €280 compared with applications lodged in June. Employers that reimburse immigration costs should update cost-projection tools and assignment letters to avoid disputes. The fee jump also affects students planning to begin courses in September 2026. Several Belgian universities have issued guidance urging prospective students to submit dossiers before 30 June where possible. Consulates, however, caution that any appointment scheduled after 30 June – even if booked earlier – will be subject to the new tariff. Immigration advisers expect a short-term surge in filing volumes before the cutoff date, likely extending processing times. They recommend that HR departments prioritise time-sensitive transfers and that individuals check consular websites for local payment methods, as some posts may still require bank transfers rather than online card payments until the global “Working in Belgium” portal is rolled out.