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U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE — BUREAU of CONSULAR AFFAIRS

U.S. Visas

English

U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country

Belgium

Belgium
Kingdom of Belgium

Reciprocity Schedule

Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.

Explanation of Terms

Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.

Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).

Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.

Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.

Visa Classifications

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V
Visa
Classification
Fee Number
of Entries
Validity
Period
A-1 None Multiple 60 Months
A-2 None Multiple 60 Months
A-3 1 None Multiple 24 Months
B-1 None Multiple 120 Months
B-2 None Multiple 120 Months
B-1/B-2 None Multiple 120 Months
C-1 None Multiple 60 Months
C-1/D None Multiple 60 Months
C-2 None Multiple 12 Months
C-3 None Multiple 60 Months
C-W-1 11 None Multiple 12 Months
C-W-2 11 None Multiple 12 Months
D None Multiple 60 Months
E-1 2 $310.00 Multiple 60 Months
E-2 2 $310.00 Multiple 60 Months
E-2C 12 None Multiple 24 Months
F-1 None Multiple 21 Months
F-1 $270.00 Multiple 60 Months
F-2 None Multiple 21 Months
F-2 $270.00 Multiple 60 Months
G-1 None Multiple 60 Months
G-2 None Multiple 60 Months
G-3 None Multiple 60 Months
G-4 None Multiple 60 Months
G-5 1 None Multiple 24 Months
H-1B $170.00 Multiple 60 Months 3
H-1C None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-2A None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-2B None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-2R None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-3 None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-4 $68.00 Multiple 60 Months 3
I None Multiple 60 Months
J-1 4 None Multiple 60 Months
J-2 4 None Multiple 60 Months
K-1 None One 6 Months
K-2 None One 6 Months
K-3 None Multiple 24 Months
K-4 None Multiple 24 Months
L-1 $420.00 Multiple 60 Months
L-2 $250.00 Multiple 60 Months
M-1 None Multiple 60 Months
M-2 None Multiple 60 Months
N-8 None Multiple 60 Months
N-9 None Multiple 60 Months
NATO 1-6 10 None Multiple 60 Months
NATO-7 1 None Multiple 24 Months
O-1 None Multiple 60 Months 3
O-2 None Multiple 60 Months 3
O-3 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-1 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-2 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-3 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-4 None Multiple 60 Months 3
Q-1 6 None Multiple 15 Months 3
R-1 $108.00 Multiple 60 Months
R-2 $23.00 Multiple 60 Months
S-5 7 None One 1 Month
S-6 7 None One 1 Month
S-7 7 None One 1 Month
T-1 9 N/A N/A N/A
T-2 None One 6 Months
T-3 None One 6 Months
T-4 None One 6 Months
T-5 None One 6 Months
T-6 None One 6 Months
T-D 5 N/A N/A N/A
U-1 None Multiple 48 Months
U-2 None Multiple 48 Months
U-3 None Multiple 48 Months
U-4 None Multiple 48 Months
U-5 None Multiple 48 Months
V-1 None Multiple 120 Months
V-2 None Multiple 120 Months 8
V-3 None Multiple 120 Months 8

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.

ALL /
  1. The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:

    • A-1
    • A-2
    • G-1 through G-4
    • NATO 1 through NATO 6

  2. An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty.  *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used.  **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.  

    *Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder.

    **Example 2:  Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.

  3. The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.

    Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.  

    Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.

  4. There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.

    Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.

    In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).

    However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.

  5. Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.

    Canadian Nationals

    Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.

    Mexican Nationals

    Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.

    Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.

  6. Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.

  7. No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.

  8. V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.

  9. Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:

    • T-2 (spouse)
    • T-3 (child)
    • T-4 (parent)
  10. The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.

  11. The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

  12. The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

 

 

ALL / ALL /

There are no general documents.

 

Birth Certificates

Available

Fees: Depends on Town Hall; Usually around 20-30 Euro

Document Name: Extrait d’Acte de Naissance/Uittreksel van de Geboorteakte

Issuing Authority: local town hall - Office of Vital Statistics (Officier de l'Etat Civil/Burgerlijke Stand)

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Seal of the city/town/A4 Format

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Officier de l’Etat Civil/Ambtenaar van de Burgerlijke Stand

Registration Criteria: Doctor’s certificate; ID of requesting parent; marriage certificate for child born in wedlock, acknowledgement decree for child born out of wedlock

Procedure for Obtaining: Can be obtained by applying in person at local city or town hall; copies can be obtained online

Certified Copies Available:  An extract or a copy of the (birth/death/burial/marriage/divorce/adoption decree) can be obtained from the city or town hall where the records is stored.  The application can be done in person or in writing.  Belgian identity card or residence card holders can also apply online through the city or town hall’s website using e-Guichet/e-Loket.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

 

Death Certificates

Available

Fees: Depending on the City/Town Hall. Usually free.

Document Name: Extrait d’Acte de Décès/Uittreksel van de Overlijdensakte

Issuing Authority: Officer of Vital Statistics (Officier de l'Etat Civil/Burgerlijke Stand)

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Seal of the city/town/A4 Format

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Officier de l’Etat Civil/Ambtenaar van de Burgerlijke Stand

Registration Criteria: Must present Doctor’s certificate or declaration of death

Procedure for Obtaining: Issued by the Officer of Vital Statistics (Officier de l'Etat Civil/Burgerlijke Stand) of the commune in which the death occurred.

Certified Copies Available:  An extract or a copy of the (birth/death/burial/marriage/divorce/adoption decree) can be obtained from the city or town hall where the records is stored.  The application can be done in person or in writing.  Belgian identity card or residence card holders can also apply online through the city or town hall’s website using e-Guichet/e-Loket.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: None

Comments:  Belgian death certificates very rarely indicate the cause of death.

Marriage Certificates

Available

Fees: Depending on the City/Town Hall. Usually 20-30 Euro.

Document Name: Extrait d’Acte de Mariage/Uittreksel uit de Huwelijksakte

Issuing Authority: Officer of Vital Statistics (Officier de l'Etat Civil/Dienst Bevolking)

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Seal of the city/town/A4 Format

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Officier de l’Etat Civil/Ambtenaar van de Burgerlijke Stand

Registration Criteria: Civil registry officer attestation

Procedure for Obtaining: Issued upon a written request by the Officer of Vital Statistics (Officier de l'Etat Civil/Dienst Bevolking) of the commune where the marriage took place.

Certified Copies Available:   An extract or a copy of the (birth/death/burial/marriage/divorce/adoption decree) can be obtained from the city or town hall where the records is stored.  The application can be done in person or in writing.  Belgian identity card or residence card holders can also apply online through the city or town hall’s website using e-Guichet/e-Loket.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

 

Divorce Certificates

Available

Fees: Depending on the City/Town Hall. Usually free.

Document Name: Extrait d’Acte de Divorce/Uittreksel van de Scheidingsakte

Issuing Authority: Clerk of the Lower Court (Greffe du Tribunal de lere Instance/Griffie van de Rechtbank van Eerste Aanleg)

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Seal of the city/town/A4 Format

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Officier de l’Etat Civil/Ambtenaar van de Burgerlijke Stand

Registration Criteria: Court Decree

Procedure for Obtaining: May be obtained by written request, addressed to the Clerk of the Lower Court (Greffe du Tribunal de lere Instance/Griffie van de Rechtbank van Eerste Aanleg) in the commune in which the judgment was rendered.

Certified Copies Available:  An extract or a copy of the (birth/death/burial/marriage/divorce/adoption decree) can be obtained from the city or town hall where the records is stored.  The application can be done in person or in writing.  Belgian identity card or residence card holders can also apply online through the city or town hall’s website using e-Guichet/e-Loket.

Alternate Documents: Not Available

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

Available

Fees: Depending on the City/Town Hall. Usually free.

Document Name: Extrait d’Acte d’Adoption/Uittreksel uit de Adoptieakte

Issuing Authority: local town hall, Guichet Population Etat-Civil/Loket Bevolking Burgerlijke Stand

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Seal of the city/town/A4 Format

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Not Available

Registration Criteria: Court Order

Procedure for Obtaining: One can request a copy or an extract of adoption in the City/Town Hall where the recognition of the adoption was transcribed into the civil status registry.   If you are in possession of a Belgian eID (electronic identity card) you can also apply online through the website of your local City/Town hall.

Certified Copies Available: An extract or a copy of the (birth/death/burial/marriage/divorce/adoption decree) can be obtained from the city or town hall where the records is stored.  The application can be done in person or in writing.  Belgian identity card or residence card holders can also apply online through the city or town hall’s website using e-Guichet/e-Loket.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

Available

Fees: Depends on City/Town Hall, on average: 20 Euro (normal), expedite options available

Document Name: Carte d’Identité/Identiteitskaart/Personalausweis/Identity Card 

Issuing Authority: Both documents are issued by the Census Office (Bureau de la Population/Dienst Bevolking) of the commune of the applicant's last residence.

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: See link Immigration Office | IBZ

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Belgian Federal Public Service Interior

Registration Criteria: Registration form, proof of payment, photo

Procedure for Obtaining:  See link Immigration Office | IBZ

Certified Copies Available:  Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents: See link belgium.be

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

Police Certificates

Available

Fees: Depends on City/Town Hall

Document Name: Extrait de casier judiciaire/Uittreksel Strafregister

Issuing Authority: City or Town Hall/Federal Public Service Justice

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Seal/A4 paper

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: officier de l’Etat Civil/Ambtenaar van de Burgerlijke Stand

Registration Criteria: There is no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: Persons 16 years of age and older should request a  police certificate (French, Dutch) from their local City/Town Hall, or directly from the  Federal Ministry of Justice,  Boulevard de Waterloo, 80 at 1000 Brussels, for immigration visa purposes, if you no longer reside in Belgium and diplomats. As of the 1st of January 2018 police certificates can be requested from the local city/Town Hall for all purposes. Application may be made in person or by mail. A written request (also by fax), indicating the reason for the request, should contain the following:

  • Full name (including middle and maiden names)
  • Current address
  • Date and place of birth
  • The number and place of issuance (if known) of the Belgian Identity Card used while the person resided in Belgium and/or the number of the passport used while living in Belgium
  • Reason why the police certificate is needed

Certified Copies Available:  Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents: None

Exceptions: None

Comments: Police, Prison, and Court Records all come from the same source

 

Court Records

Available – See Police Records

Fees: Depends on City/Town Hall

Document Name: Proces Verbal and Jugement or Pro Justitia

Issuing Authority: Clerk of the Court (Greffe du Tribunal/Griffie van het Gerecht)

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Not available

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Not available

Registration Criteria: Not available

Procedure for Obtaining: Issued upon written request where the conviction occurred.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: Not available

Comments: None

 

Prison Records

Unavailable - See Police Records

Available online through: http://www.mycareer.be/

Comments: Military service was abolished in Belgium in 1992 and as a result many town halls may refuse to provide a military record making it unobtainable in individual cases. The Ministry of Justice has confirmed that any offense which occurred during military service will be reflected in police records.

Types Available: Regular, Diplomatic and Service, Travel Document for stateless and refugees

Fees: On average €35.00 for a minor (regular procedure); €240.00 for minor expeditious processing (next working day); €270.00 for minor super urgent processing (within 4.5 hours) or €85.00 for an adult (regular procedure); €260.00 (expeditious processing), or €300.00 for adult super urgent processing (within 4.5 hours).  Diplomatic and Official passports are free.

Document Name: Passeport/Paspoort; Passeport Diplomatique/Diplomatiek paspoort; Passeport de Service/Dienstpaspoort; Titre de Voyage/Reisdocument

Issuing Government Authority: Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs (for passports) and Federal Public Service Interior (for Convention travel documents).  

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: The Regular, Diplomatic and Official passports have burgundy covers conforming to the EU standard.

Regular Passports: Serial numbers are preceded by the letters ED through EP.

Diplomatic Passports: Serial numbers are preceded by the letters LA.

Official Passports: Serial numbers are preceded by the letters LD.

Travel Documents: Blue covers, Serial numbers preceded by T – convention documents

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Not shown

Registration Criteria: Must be applied for through the City/Town hall

Procedure for Obtaining: Must be applied for through the City/Town hall

Alternate Documents: None

Exceptions: None

Comments: The full validity of Belgian passports is seven years.  Current average prices are as prices can vary depending on the city or commune.

Other Documents Available:

         Those passports are still available.

Not applicable.

Post Title: U.S. Embassy in Brussels, Belgium

Address:

Mailing Address:
APO AE 09724-7600

Street Address:
27 Boulevard du Regent
1000 Brussels

Consular Section:
25 Boulevard du Regent

Phone Number:

Tel: (24 hours) (32) 2-508-2111

Fax: (Embassy) 02-511-2725
(Consular Section) (32) 2-513-0409

Comments / Additional Information: None

All visa categories for all of Belgium. Immigrant visas for Luxembourg.

Additional Information for Reciprocity

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.