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Studying in Belgium

Studying in Belgium when you come from abroad.

For a non-EU student, studying in Belgium is prepared through three interlocking procedures on a tight schedule: admission, diploma equivalence and the visa. Here is how they follow one another, and where a mistake costs a year.

Updated on June 19, 2026

In short

A non-EU student aiming for French-speaking Belgium must run three procedures in parallel: obtain an admission in a recognised institution (deadline often set at 31 March for universities), have their diploma recognised through an equivalence with the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles (before mid-July), then apply for a type D long-stay visa once the admission is obtained. The visa requires proving means of subsistence of an official amount indexed each year (EUR 1,062 net per month for the 2026-2027 academic year).

Where to start?

By your home country

Admission, equivalence, visa and legalisation: the full pathway for your nationality.

See the countries

By your university

Real cost, deadline and enrolment steps at Belgium's French-speaking universities.

See the universities

Practical guides

Appeal after a refusal, equivalence timelines: our step-by-step guides.

See the guides

The three procedures, in order

These procedures are partly prepared at the same time, but they follow one another according to a precise logic: admission and equivalence are built in spring, the visa is applied for once the admission certificate is obtained.

  1. 1Admission: lodge your admission or enrolment authorisation application in a recognised institution (university, haute école, higher arts school).
  2. 2Equivalence: have your secondary school leaving diploma recognised by the Equivalence Service of the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, a condition for university access.
  3. 3Long-stay visa (type D): once the admission is obtained, build the study visa file at the competent Belgian consular post.

A tight schedule: the deadlines not to miss

Most avoidable refusals come down to a missed deadline. Here are the key windows for a given start of year (2026-2027 academic year dates for illustration; they are set each year, to be checked with each institution and service).

ProcedureTypical windowTo check
University admission (non-EU)Form open from mid-February, lodge by 31 March at the latestCalendar specific to each institution
Quota-limited programmes (medicine, dentistry, physiotherapy, veterinary, psychological sciences)Online registration, typical window from mid-May to early JulySpecific non-resident procedure and quotas
Secondary diploma equivalenceFrom mid-November to 15 July (deadline)Extension possible to 14 September if late proclamation
Long-stay visa (type D)As soon as admission is obtained; legal decision within 90 daysLodge as early as possible, ideally 6 months before departure

What budget to plan for the visa?

The student visa requires proving sufficient means of subsistence. The reference amount is set by Royal Decree and indexed each year: for the 2026-2027 academic year, it is EUR 1,062 net per month. Proof can be provided by a blocked account funded with twelve times this amount (that is EUR 12,744) or by a commitment to take charge (Annex 32) signed by a solvent guarantor.

On top of this comes an administrative fee due to the Immigration Office before filing (EUR 251 for public higher education, EUR 242 in other cases, amounts as of 1 January 2026, indexed; minors are exempt), as well as consular fees collected by the post where the application is lodged.

Can you work during your studies?

Yes. A foreign student in regular residence can work up to 20 hours per week outside school holidays (and without limit during the holidays), provided the job remains compatible with their studies. Since 2019, no specific work permit needs to be requested: the right to work flows automatically from the student residence permit.

The journey depending on your country

The main steps are common, but document legalisation and the visa filing centre change depending on the country of origin. Our country guides detail these specifics.

From a non-EU country

From the European Union

Official sources

Information verified against official Belgian sources. Procedures, amounts and dates change every year, so always check the date before acting.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Do you need the equivalence before the admission or the other way around?
Both are prepared in parallel. The secondary diploma equivalence is in principle required for the final enrolment in first year, but many institutions accept a provisional enrolment while awaiting the decision. We coordinate both procedures so they move together.
What amount must be justified for the student visa?
For the 2026-2027 academic year, the reference amount for means of subsistence is EUR 1,062 net per month, that is EUR 12,744 on a blocked account for twelve months. This amount is indexed each year: you must always check the amount in force for the year concerned.
How long does a student visa application take?
The law requires the Immigration Office to rule within 90 days of acknowledging receipt of a complete file. In practice, this time is often exceeded: it is therefore strongly advised to lodge as early as possible, ideally six months before the planned departure date.
From which countries do you support students?
We support students from many countries outside the European Union, notably from the Maghreb, West and Central Africa and the Middle East (Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Senegal, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, among others). The administrative journey is similar from one country to another, with specifics around legalisation and consular post.

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