Study in Belgium from Nepal and India

Belgium student visa at a glance

Visa fee

NPR 42,475

EUR 250

Source: india.diplomatie.belgium.be (opens the official website in a new tab)

Money to show a year

NPR 21.7 lakh

EUR 12,744

Source: studyinflanders.be (opens the official website in a new tab)

Work in term

20 hrs/wk

Term-time work

Source: studyinflanders.be (opens the official website in a new tab)

Stay after study

1 yr

Orientation (search) year

Source: studyinflanders.be (opens the official website in a new tab)

Short answer: To study in Belgium you apply for the Long-stay (type D) visa for studies – authorisation of provisional stay. The main visa fee is EUR 250 (about NPR 42,475). You must also show EUR 1,062 per month: money that stays yours. You can work up to 20 hours a week during term. Eligible bachelor's and master's graduates can get a post-study work stay of up to 12 months (rules and longer stays for some degrees below).

How much does it cost to study in Belgium?

Two different kinds of money: fees you pay (gone once paid) and funds you show as evidence (they stay in your account). Never add them together.

What do I need for the Belgium student visa?

How to apply

Apply for a type D visa at the Belgian mission for your place of residence, in person, giving fingerprints and answering a questionnaire on your study plans. Source: studyinbelgium.be (opens the official website in a new tab)

Proof of solvency

Accepted: a blocked university account or bank guarantee of 12 months' minimum, a Belgian sponsor's Annex 32 undertaking, or a scholarship. Source: studyinflanders.be (opens the official website in a new tab)

Key documents

Admission or registration certificate, passport valid for the visa period (12 months), police clearance certificate, proof of funds, medical certificate and health insurance covering all risks in Belgium. Source: india.diplomatie.belgium.be (opens the official website in a new tab)

Medical certificate

Must come from one of the doctors certified by the Belgian Embassy. Source: india.diplomatie.belgium.be (opens the official website in a new tab)

Private (non-recognised) schools

Need a definitive enrolment certificate with proof of full tuition payment, past results, a study-project explanation and proof of language skills. Source: india.diplomatie.belgium.be (opens the official website in a new tab)

Processing

Study in Flanders says the normal procedure can take six to eight weeks, so apply early; appointments fill up quickly. Source: studyinflanders.be (opens the official website in a new tab)

After arrival

Register at the town or city hall of your place of residence as soon as possible. Source: studyinflanders.be (opens the official website in a new tab)

Case status

The Immigration Office takes the final decision on many D visas; once the embassy gives you the file number, contact the Immigration Office about status. Source: india.diplomatie.belgium.be (opens the official website in a new tab)

Can I work while studying in Belgium?

Term-time work

Up to 20 hours a week during the academic year; more during official holidays (winter, spring, summer). Source: studyinflanders.be (opens the official website in a new tab)

No separate work permit

Your student residence permit shows your work rights and lets you work for any employer while it is valid. Source: studyinflanders.be (opens the official website in a new tab)

Limits

You cannot work during class hours or the summer before your first academic year; working over 20 hours in term may cause problems renewing your permit. Source: studyinbelgium.be (opens the official website in a new tab)

Can I stay and work after graduating?

Orientation (search) year

Graduates can get a 12-month orientation-year residence permit (A card, not extendable) to look for work or start a business. Source: studyinflanders.be (opens the official website in a new tab)

Who qualifies

Non-EU graduates of a Belgian associate, bachelor's, master's, postgraduate or doctoral programme, or of a foreign degree with a mobility period in Belgium. Source: studyinflanders.be (opens the official website in a new tab)

When to apply

With a Belgian degree, apply at your municipality at the latest 15 days before your student permit expires; you need proof of solvency and health insurance. Source: studyinflanders.be (opens the official website in a new tab)

Work during the year

From the Annex 15 receipt you have unlimited access to the labour market, but no right to unemployment benefits. Source: studyinflanders.be (opens the official website in a new tab)

What is different for Nepali and Indian students?

What are the top universities in Belgium?

Compare universities across countries

What has changed recently?

1. 18 Feb 2025

   ARES circular 2025-001: from 2025–26 most non-EU students in French-speaking Belgium pay the registration fee plus a €4,175 additional contribution each year. Source: studyinbelgium.be (opens the official website in a new tab)

2. 16 Feb 2026

   Minimum means of subsistence for 2026–27 set at €1,062 a month (Official Gazette publication cited by UMONS). Source: web.umons.ac.be (opens the official website in a new tab)

3. 1 Jul 2026

   Handling fee for long-stay (D) visas rose to €250. Source: india.diplomatie.belgium.be (opens the official website in a new tab)

Check these yourself

We could not confirm these on an official page when we last checked, so we do not state them as facts.

• The Immigration Office contribution (redevance) amount and search-year details — check dofi.ibz.be.
• Registration fee in French-speaking Belgium: €835 or €1,194 (pages disagree); ask your institution.
• Whether Indian nationals are on ARES's annex lists that waive the additional contribution at universities.
• VFS Global service charges in India and Nepal.

Official sources for Belgium

Government and official pages we use for this guide, checked 22 Oct 2026.

1. 1Embassy of Belgium India – visa if you live in Indiaembassy_india · VisaOnWeb + VFS; D fee €250; VFS fee INR 2,750
2. 2Embassy of Belgium India – visa if you live in Nepalembassy_nepal · No visa section in Nepal; D visas at VFS New Delhi
3. 3Embassy of Belgium India – visa for Belgiumfee · D visa fee €250 from 1 Jul 2026
4. 4Embassy of Belgium India – Visa D for Students (PDF)student_visa · Student checklist
5. 5Embassy of Belgium India – legalisation of documentslegalisation · Apostille India; Nepal MoFA + honorary consulate
6. 6Study in Flanders – visa requirementsstudy_portal · €1,062/month 2026–27; solvency options
7. 7Study in Flanders – work & studywork · 20 h/week in term
8. 8Study in Flanders – orientation year rightspost_study · 12-month A card, Annex 15
9. 9Study in Flanders – orientation year requirementspost_study · Eligibility, when to apply
10. 10Study in Flanders – tuition feestuition · €5,300–€12,000 non-EEA 2026–27
11. 11Study in Flanders – cost of livingliving · €800–€1,000/month
12. 12Study in Belgium (Wallonie-Bruxelles Campus) – registration feesstudy_portal · €4,175 additional contribution; LDC exemption
13. 13Study in Belgium – working while studyingwork · 20 h/week; 12-month post-study
14. 14Study in Belgium – cost of livingliving · €1,000–€1,300/month
15. 15UMONS – annual budget 2026–27 (PDF)funds · €1,062/month; Official Gazette 16 Feb 2026
16. 16UN LDC Portal – Nepalldc · Nepal scheduled LDC graduation 24 Nov 2026
17. 17Study in Belgium – international student visa procedurestudent_visa · D visa in person, fingerprints, questionnaire