D visa application

Are you a non-EU national planning to pursue full-time studies at UCLouvain?

If so, you must apply for a residence permit for a stay of more than 90 days in Belgium.

As a general rule, this application must be submitted to the Belgian diplomatic or consular post competent for your place of residence and takes the form of a D visa application (national long-stay visa).

You will find all the required information on the website of the Immigration Office (Office des étrangers). 

Required documents :

• A copy of your valid passport; 
• Proof of payment of the fee, if you are subject to this obligation; 
• A certificate from UCLouvain proving that you are enrolled to pursue higher education, have been admitted to studies, or are registered for an admission test or exam; 
• Proof that you will have sufficient means of subsistence (see below); 
• A medical certificate; 
• If you are over 18 years old, an extract from your criminal record or an equivalent document; 
• If you are under 18 years old, proof of parental authorization or, if applicable, from the person exercising guardianship;
• Proof that you have or will have health insurance covering all risks in Belgium.

Please note that having valid health insurance before arriving in Belgium is mandatory.
Without this, you will not be able to obtain your residence permit, which is essential to access Belgian health insurance (mutuelle). We strongly advise you to make all the necessary arrangements before your departure to avoid any complications.

Adequate means of subsistance

Proof of sufficient means of subsistence may be provided by producing one or more of the following documents: 

• A scholarship or loan certificate; 
• A commitment to financial support in accordance with Annex 32; 
• A bank deposit guarantee with a financial services company specialised in opening blocked bank accounts; 
• A certificate issued by UCLouvain specifying that the student has deposited an amount covering the necessary expenses for their stay in Belgium into a blocked account. 

Many students are tempted to use fictitious guarantors to meet visa application requirements. These guarantors offer their services in exchange for payment. This illegal practice can result in severe penalties: several students have been forced to leave Belgium during the year because the guarantor's conditions were not met.

We recommend consulting the Immigration Office's website to learn about the official requirements for guarantor support.

We strongly advise you to use alternatives such as a blocked account at UCLouvain to prove that you have sufficient means of subsistence.