The Belgian Embassy in London has issued a fresh notice reminding applicants that, as of 1 July 2026, the handling fee for national (D-category) visas has risen to €250 (or £225). The advisory, updated on 7 July, also warns of prolonged waiting times for appointment slots, with the TLScontact system now releasing dates on a rolling seven-day basis that fill up within hours. Long-stay visas cover work permits, family reunification, study programmes and intracompany transfers exceeding 90 days.
![Belgium increases long-stay (visa D) application fee to €250; embassy urges early booking]()
Organisations that prefer not to tackle the administrative maze alone can turn to VisaHQ’s Belgium portal, where real-time fee updates, document pre-screening and concierge options help applicants compile compliant files and avoid costly re-submissions.
The higher fee reflects an across-government cost-recovery policy and aligns Belgium with neighbouring countries such as the Netherlands (€285) and France (€260). The embassy notes a “significant decline in the quality of submitted files,” leading to additional scrutiny and potential refusals. It explicitly states that third-party agencies cannot secure priority appointments and that only extreme medical or humanitarian emergencies qualify for expedited handling. Global-mobility managers should update cost estimates for inbound assignments and start the visa process at least three months in advance. Sponsoring employers remain liable for incomplete documentation and may see processing paused until deficiencies are rectified, lengthening lead times.
Organisations that prefer not to tackle the administrative maze alone can turn to VisaHQ’s Belgium portal, where real-time fee updates, document pre-screening and concierge options help applicants compile compliant files and avoid costly re-submissions.
The higher fee reflects an across-government cost-recovery policy and aligns Belgium with neighbouring countries such as the Netherlands (€285) and France (€260). The embassy notes a “significant decline in the quality of submitted files,” leading to additional scrutiny and potential refusals. It explicitly states that third-party agencies cannot secure priority appointments and that only extreme medical or humanitarian emergencies qualify for expedited handling. Global-mobility managers should update cost estimates for inbound assignments and start the visa process at least three months in advance. Sponsoring employers remain liable for incomplete documentation and may see processing paused until deficiencies are rectified, lengthening lead times.
More From Belgium
View all
EU lets Member States keep partial suspension of EES biometrics through summer, easing pressure at Brussels Airport
EU allows partial suspension of biometric capture under Entry/Exit System until end of summer
