The Federal Public Service (FPS) Foreign Affairs has confirmed that all Belgian embassies and consulates are observing the national public holiday on 21 July. Closing calendars published by missions from Tel Aviv to Washington list the day as a non-working day, meaning no visa, passport or legalisation appointments will be processed. Applicants with biometrics or interview slots that fell on 21 July were automatically rescheduled, but the knock-on effect is a one-to-two-day slip in visa-issuance timelines—critical for assignees targeting 1 August start dates. Some outsourced visa centres (VFS Global, BLS) remain open but cannot forward files to the Immigration Office until government counters reopen on 22 July. Corporate mobility teams should flag the holiday to relocating staff in high-volume markets such as India, China and Nigeria, where D-visa demand for local hires has spiked since the fee increase to €250 took effect on 1 July. Time-sensitive applications (e.g., Blue Card holders) risk breaching 90-day Schengen thresholds if passports remain at consulates longer than expected. Travellers already holding Belgian residence cards are unaffected, but those relying on return visas or emergency travel documents should verify airline policy for boarding without physical labels. The Foreign Affairs helpdesk advises using digital copies of residence permits alongside proof of appointment rescheduling when flying on 21 July.
