Studying in Belgium · Senegal
Studying in Belgium from Senegal.
From the admission application to lodging the visa in Dakar, the journey of a Senegalese student to French-speaking Belgium follows precise steps and a tight schedule. Here is how to approach it without losing a year.
In short
To study in French-speaking Belgium from Senegal, you must obtain an admission in a recognised institution (deadline often set at 31 March for universities), have the Senegalese baccalaureate recognised through an equivalence with the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles (fees reduced to EUR 150 for Senegal), then lodge the type D long-stay visa at TLScontact Dakar. As Senegal has been party to the Apostille Convention since 2023, Senegalese documents are apostilled.
The steps to study in Belgium from Senegal
- 1Obtain an admission in a recognised institution (university, haute école or higher arts school) in French-speaking Belgium.
- 2Have the Senegalese baccalaureate recognised through an equivalence with the Equivalence Service of the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles.
- 3Fill in the visa form on VisaOnWeb, then lodge the long-stay visa file (type D, study purpose) at TLScontact Dakar.
- 4Have the Senegalese documents apostilled and prepare the proof of means of subsistence.
Admission and equivalence: the calendar
For a first university enrolment, the Senegalese student (non-resident, non-EU) lodges their admission application via the universities' common portal, with a deadline set at 31 March 2026 for the 2026-2027 year (form open in mid-February). Quota-limited programmes (medicine, dentistry, physiotherapy, veterinary medicine, psychological sciences) follow a separate procedure, from mid-May to early July.
In parallel, the Senegalese baccalaureate is recognised through an equivalence with the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, to be lodged before mid-July. Senegal is named among the countries eligible for development aid: the equivalence fees are EUR 150 (instead of EUR 400) and are non-refundable.
The student visa from Senegal
In Senegal, the visa application for Belgium is prepared on VisaOnWeb, then lodged at the TLScontact centre in Dakar, the only centre in the country, on behalf of the Belgian Embassy in Dakar. The study file rests on the admission certificate, proof of means of subsistence, a recent medical certificate and police clearance, insurance and payment of the fee.
| Visa file item | 2026-2027 reference |
|---|---|
| Means of subsistence (amount indexed each year) | EUR 1,062 net / month, that is EUR 12,744 on a blocked account for 12 months |
| Administrative fee (Immigration Office, as of 1 January 2026) | EUR 251 (public higher education) or EUR 242 (other cases) |
| Legal decision deadline | 90 days after acknowledgement of receipt of a complete file |
Legalising your Senegalese documents: the apostille
Senegal has been party to the Hague Convention (apostille) since 23 March 2023. Senegalese public documents intended for Belgium (diplomas, transcripts, civil status certificates) receive an apostille affixed by the competent Senegalese authority (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), instead of a consular legalisation, then are produced in Belgium.
The commitment to take charge (Annex 32) and private deeds do not fall under the apostille: they still have to be legalised according to the post's procedure. We confirm the exact chain applicable to each item of your file.
Why get support
As for the many international students we support, our role is to secure the sequence from end to end: an admission calendar met, an equivalence lodged on time, documents apostilled in the right place, a visa file accepted the first time in Dakar.
- Institution choice and building of the admission file on time
- Equivalence of the Senegalese baccalaureate steered through to the decision
- Preparation of the visa file and the appointment at TLScontact Dakar
- Apostille and legalisation of items directed to the right contacts
- A single point of contact, in French, until your arrival
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
What is the deadline to enrol at a Belgian university from Senegal?
How much does the equivalence of the Senegalese baccalaureate cost in Belgium?
Where to lodge your student visa application in Senegal?
Do you need to legalise or apostille your Senegalese documents?
What means-of-subsistence budget must be proven?
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