Last reviewed: May 2026
TL;DR- TLScontact handles Belgian Schengen and long-stay visa applications for UK residents on behalf of the Belgian Embassy in London.
- Belgium Schengen visa is required for stays over 90 days or for work and study, regardless of nationality.
- UK passport holders do not need a visa for short tourism visits up to 90 days.
- UK centre is in London, with biometric capture and document submission only.
- TLScontact does not decide visas. The Belgian Embassy decides.
Address and Contact Details
TLScontact runs the Belgian visa application centre in the UK on behalf of the Belgian Embassy in London. The London centre is the primary application point and may be shared with other TLScontact country desks.
To find the current address, open uk.tlscontact.com and select Belgium. The portal lists the exact address, postcode, opening hours and contact details.
Verify the current TLScontact Belgium centre address before travelling. The Belgian Embassy in London also publishes guidance at countries.diplomatie.belgium.be/en/united-kingdom.
Countries and Visa Types Handled
TLScontact Belgium processes the full range of Belgian visas for UK residents, including:
- Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) for tourism, business or visits up to 90 days, for nationalities not visa-exempt.
- National long-stay visa (Type D) for stays over 90 days.
- Employment visa (Single Permit) for sponsored workers.
- EU Blue Card.
- Student visa for full-time study.
- Family reunion visa for spouses, registered partners and minor children.
- Researcher visa.
- Professional card visa for self-employed activity.
UK passport holders do not need a visa for visits to Belgium of up to 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism, business meetings or family visits. Working, studying or living long-term in Belgium requires a long-stay visa via TLScontact.
How to Book an Appointment
- Open the Belgian Embassy's London visa page at countries.diplomatie.belgium.be and select your visa category.
- Complete the application form and gather all required documents.
- For long-stay visas, your sponsor in Belgium (employer, university, family member) often initiates a regional approval process with the relevant regional authority (Flanders, Wallonia or Brussels-Capital) before submission.
- Open uk.tlscontact.com and create an account.
- Pay the TLScontact service fee online.
- Book a date and time at the London centre.
- Print the appointment letter with barcode and bring the consular visa fee payment proof.
What to Bring to Your Appointment
- Printed TLScontact appointment letter with barcode.
- Signed visa application form.
- Current passport with at least three months validity beyond intended departure from Schengen and at least two blank pages.
- Old passports if requested.
- Passport-style photographs to Schengen specification (35mm x 45mm, biometric).
- Proof of UK residency (BRP, vignette, settled status, or utility bill).
- Schengen travel insurance with at least 30,000 euros medical cover for short-stay visas.
- Supporting documents: hotel and flight bookings, sponsor letter, university acceptance, regional employment authorisation, legalised marriage and birth certificates for family applications.
Processing Times and Fees
Schengen visa fee is 90 euros for adults and 45 euros for children 6 to 11 (under 6 free). National D visa fee is set per category and may include an additional regional handling fee paid before file submission. TLScontact service fee in the UK is in addition to consular fees.
Processing time for a Schengen visa is normally 15 calendar days. National long-stay visas can take 2 to 4 months due to involvement of the relevant Belgian regional authority and the Immigration Office (Office des Etrangers / Dienst Vreemdelingenzaken).
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This placement is reserved for a regulated immigration adviser specialising in TLScontact Belgium visa applications. OISC-registered firms only. Enquire about this slot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do UK passport holders need a visa for a short trip to Brussels?
No. UK passport holders can visit Belgium visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
What is the Single Permit?
The Single Permit is a combined work and residence authorisation for non-EU nationals working in Belgium. It is requested by the employer with the relevant regional authority before the visa application begins.
Why does the region matter for a Belgian work visa?
Employment authorisation in Belgium is handled by the regional government (Flanders, Wallonia or Brussels-Capital) where the job is based, each with its own salary thresholds and rules.
Can my family come with me on a Belgian work visa?
Yes. Spouses, registered partners and minor children can apply for family reunion visas linked to the main applicant.
Do I need to register after arrival in Belgium?
Yes. Long-stay visa holders must register at the local commune within a set period and obtain a residence card.
How We Verified This
We cross-referenced uk.tlscontact.com, the Belgian Embassy in London website, and gov.uk foreign travel advice for Belgium. Long-stay visa rules and regional authorisations evolve, so we have linked to the official portals for live information.
