Travel to Belgium

You can apply for your Schengen visa from 6 months to 15 calendar days before your planned travel date. For seafarers this is from 9 months before the planned travel date. The processing time for Schengen visa applications is usually 15 calendar days, but can be up to 45 calendar days in individual cases. Travelers are requested to take this processing time into account when submitting their visa application, as well as the waiting time for an appointment at TLS. Travelers who submit their visa application later than 15 calendar days before the planned departure date should take into account a possible postponement of their trip. The Embassy does not provide fast track visa services. The more complete your visa application is submitted, the greater the chance of a smooth processing of your file.

Multiple entry Schengen visas for regular travelers

Do you regularly travel to Belgium / Schengen area? Then you may qualify for a multiple-entry visa with a longer period of validity. You must however, meet a number of conditions:

• multiple-entry visa for 1 year: if you have received a Schengen visa* 3 times in the past 2 years and used it correctly;
• multiple-entry visa for 2 years: if you have received a multiple-entry visa for 1 year in the past 2 years and used it correctly;
• multiple-entry visa for 5 years: if you have received a multiple-entry visa for 2 years in the past 3 years and used it correctly.

You cannot derive any rights from the above. It is always up to the issuing authority whether or not to issue a multiple-entry visa with a longer period of validity.

Biometrics / applying in person for Schengen visa applications

Did you provide biometric data (fingerprints and photo) within the last 59 months prior to your current application? Then you can choose to have someone else submit your application for you. You do not have to appear in person.

Attention, if, during the assessment of your application, it appears that your fingerprints are not in the system, you will have to come and submit them. Also, you can always be invited for an interview if your application gives reason to do so.

According to Article 12 (a) of the Regulation (EC) No. 810/2009, commonly known as "Visa Code", the validity of a travel document shall extend at least three months after the intended date of departure from the territory of the Schengen Member States.

The Schengen Member States wish to inform the Kenyan public that only the new east African Community biometric e-Passport can be accepted for Schengen visa applications.