Tourist visa application process

Belgium does not issue tourist visas to Russian citizens; only highly bureaucratic non-tourist C and D visas are available. To visit Belgium, Russian tourists obtain Schengen visas from other countries (e.g., Spain, France). To avoid issues with the 'first country of entry' rule, travelers often fly through the issuing country (e.g., Moscow - Istanbul - Madrid - Brussels), although direct entry on another country's Schengen visa is occasionally successful. Visa processing for Spain takes at least 21 days, and slots are highly competitive before summer.

Schengen visa application guidelines for applicants born in the USSR: 1. Country of birth: Use 'USSR' if born before 1991, regardless of specific republic. 2. Place of birth: Copy exact text before the slash from the passport. 3. Address: Use registered (propiska) address instead of factual address to match official documents.

For Russian citizens, direct visa issuance for Belgium is currently restricted. Recommended approach: apply for a Schengen visa via France, Italy, or Spain (France is currently preferred). Key rules: 1. The visa-issuing country should ideally cover 50%+ of the trip duration (in the itinerary). 2. Valid hotel bookings and return tickets are required for border entry. 3. Avoid long-duration requests (30+ days) for tourist visas; 14-20 days is safer. 4. Border officers may request proof of funds (cash in EUR is preferred as Russian-issued cards are not accepted). 5. Official '3bis' invitation to Belgium is only available for specific categories (e.g., non-annual residence permit holders inviting close relatives). 6. Moldova passport holders enjoy 90/180 visa-free access to Belgium.

Belgian citizens can currently obtain both traditional and electronic visas for travel to Russia. Electronic visa processing typically takes 3-4 business days. It is mandatory for travelers to check the official Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs travel advisory, as there are existing travel warnings regarding Russia.

Applying for a Belgian visa currently involves obtaining an invitation. Visas are issued strictly for the travel dates specified, with a single entry. This contrasts with some other Schengen countries (e.g., the Netherlands) which may issue longer-term, multi-entry visas. Obtaining a visa is generally possible about a week before the planned departure, provided all documentation, including the invitation, is correctly submitted.