PHOTO GUIDE
Applying for a Belgium short-stay visa from Japan
Short-stay Schengen visa (Type C) applications for Belgium from Japan are received directly by the visa desk of the Belgian Embassy in Tokyo — no external provider is involved. You complete the application in Belgium's Visa on Web (VOW) portal, print, date and sign two copies, and bring them with two ICAO-standard photographs to your e-Appointment. The fee is EUR 90 (17,100 JPY), and since March 2025 the embassy accepts electronic payment only. For photo dimensions and background, see the global Belgium visa photo requirements page.
Last Updated: 2026-08-15
Quick requirements
- Who applies: applicants with their main residence in Japan who need a Schengen visa (Type C) for a short stay in Belgium (up to 90 days in 180). Japanese nationals are visa-exempt for short stays. National (Type D) visas are out of scope.
- Receiving office: the visa desk of the Belgian Embassy in Tokyo (5-4 Nibancho, Chiyoda-ku) receives applications directly. There is no jurisdictional split, and applications by mail, fax or e-mail are not accepted (embassy FAQ).
- Application form: complete the application online in Visa on Web (VOW, visaonweb.diplomatie.be), then print the form from the confirmation e-mail, date and sign it, and bring 2 paper copies.
- Appointment: after submitting in VOW, use the e-Appointment button that appears on the VOW page (one appointment per application; an application without VOW plus an online appointment cannot be accepted).
- Photographs: 2 photographs conforming to ICAO standards (one attached to each of the 2 application forms plus 1 submitted separately, full name on the back of each). The Japan pages do not state numeric dimensions, so the global Belgium requirements apply (35×45 mm, plain light background, recent).
- Biometrics: biometric data are collected at the appointment. Applicants younger than 12 do not need to appear in person for a Schengen visa (embassy FAQ).
- Fee: EUR 90 / 17,100 JPY for applicants 12 and older, EUR 45 / 8,550 JPY for children 6-12, free under 6. Since 1 March 2025 the Tokyo embassy accepts electronic payment only (no cash).
Who applies and where
This page is for applicants whose main residence is Japan and who need a Schengen visa (Type C) for a short stay in Belgium (up to 90 days in any 180-day period). If Belgium is the sole destination, the main destination (longest stay), or the first point of entry for equal stays, you apply to Belgium. Long-stay and residence visas (Type D) follow a different procedure.
Only the visa desk of the Belgian Embassy in Tokyo processes visas for applicants who reside in Japan (embassy FAQ). Applicants temporarily visiting Japan as tourists and residents of other countries are not covered; check with the Belgian mission competent for your place of residence.
Receiving office: the Belgian Embassy visa desk in Tokyo
Applications are received at the Belgian Embassy visa desk (5-4 Nibancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) without an external provider such as VFS Global. Applications by mail, fax or e-mail are not accepted. Book the appointment via the e-Appointment button that appears after you submit the VOW application (one appointment per application — each family member needs their own application and appointment; waits can exceed three weeks in busy periods).
Biometric data are collected when you appear. Children younger than 12 do not need to appear in person for a Schengen visa (embassy FAQ). The embassy's Japanese-language site has no detailed visa pages; the English pages are the effective reference.
The VOW application form and required documents
Complete the application in Belgium's Visa on Web portal (VOW, visaonweb.diplomatie.be): create an account, fill in the form and submit. Print the form from the confirmation e-mail, date and sign it (signature matching your passport), and bring 2 paper copies. VIDEX is not used.
The embassy's purpose-based C visa pages (tourism; business, research or conference; visiting friends or family; etc.) hold the authoritative document lists. Besides 2 ICAO photographs (one attached to each application form plus one submitted separately, full name on the back of each), prepare your passport, proof of residence in Japan and purpose-specific documents such as travel bookings, invitations or employment letters.
Photograph requirements: 2 copies, ICAO standard
The embassy's C visa document lists state: "Photographs — 2 originals, Conform to ICAO standards. 1 photo to be attached on each application form, 1 photo to be submitted separately. Full name to be written on the back of each photo." The Japan pages do not state numeric dimensions, background colour or recency, so the global Belgium requirements apply (35×45 mm, plain light background, recent photograph).
For the general composition rules (frontal, neutral expression, no reflections in glasses, etc.), see the global Belgium visa photo requirements page. The photo tool's Belgium mode produces a 35×45 mm print; you can prepare both copies from one image.
Fees and payment
The C visa fee is EUR 90 / 17,100 JPY for adults and children over 12, EUR 45 / 8,550 JPY for children 6-12, and free for children under 6 (embassy fee page; JPY amounts as posted by the embassy). From 1 March 2025 the embassy in Tokyo accepts electronic payment methods only — cash is no longer accepted.
Fees and exchange rates can change; confirm the current amounts on the embassy's fee page before your appointment. No fixed processing time is published, so complete the VOW application and book the appointment well before your trip.
How to use the official sources
Short-stay (Type C) Schengen visa applications for Belgium from Japan are received directly by the Belgian Embassy visa desk in Tokyo via Visa on Web (visaonweb.diplomatie.be) plus an e-Appointment (bring 2 printed, signed application forms and 2 ICAO photographs; biometrics collected on site; applicants under 12 need not appear; fee EUR 90 = 17,100 JPY, electronic payment only since March 2025). Document lists, fees and appointment operations can change, so always confirm with the embassy's current official pages (Visa for Belgium, FAQ, fee page and the purpose-based C visa pages) before applying.
shoumei.org helps users prepare photo files based on publicly available requirements. It does not submit visa applications, and it is not an official government service, Schengen authority, embassy, consulate, VFS Global, TLScontact, or BLS International service. Please verify the latest requirements with the official embassy, consulate, or visa application center before submitting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where in Japan do I submit a Belgium visa application?
The visa desk of the Belgian Embassy in Tokyo (Nibancho, Chiyoda-ku) receives applications directly. No external provider is involved and there is no jurisdictional split (embassy FAQ).
How do I fill in the application form?
Use Belgium's Visa on Web portal (visaonweb.diplomatie.be). After submitting, print the form from the confirmation e-mail, date and sign it, and bring 2 paper copies. VIDEX is not used.
How do I book an appointment?
After you submit the application correctly in VOW, a "Make an appointment" button appears at the bottom of the VOW page. One appointment covers one application; the embassy cannot accept an application without VOW plus an online appointment.
How many photos do I need, and in what size?
Two photographs conforming to ICAO standards: one attached to each of the two application forms plus one submitted separately, with your full name on the back of each. The Japan pages do not state dimensions, so use the global Belgium standard (35×45 mm, plain light background, recent).
What is the fee and how do I pay?
EUR 90 / 17,100 JPY for applicants 12 and older, EUR 45 / 8,550 JPY for children 6-12, free under 6. Since 1 March 2025 the Tokyo embassy accepts electronic payments only — cash is not accepted.
Do children have to appear in person?
Applicants younger than 12 do not need to appear in person for a Schengen visa (embassy FAQ). Each applicant still needs their own VOW application and appointment.
Can I apply by mail?
No. The embassy does not accept applications sent by mail, fax or e-mail. The applicant (except children under 12) appears in person at the e-Appointment.
How long does processing take?
No fixed processing time is published. Appointment waits can exceed three weeks in busy periods, so start the VOW application and booking well before your trip.
Official and submission sources
- Embassy of Belgium in Tokyo (japan.diplomatie.belgium.be) — Visa for Belgium FAQ (2026-08-15 re-verified: "Only the visa desk at the Embassy in Tokyo has the authority to process visas to Belgium for applicants who reside in Japan"; applications in person only — no mail/fax/e-mail; appointments only via e-Appointment after the VOW application; applicants younger than 12 do not need to appear in person for a Schengen visa; address 5-4 Nibancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) (used for: application channel, jurisdiction notes, appointment system, child biometrics notes, submission offices) Checked: 2026-08-15
- Embassy of Belgium in Tokyo — Schengen visa (tourism, max 90 days) required documents (2026-08-15 re-verified: "Photographs — 2 originals, Conform to ICAO standards. 1 photo to be attached on each application form, 1 photo to be submitted separately. Full name to be written on the back of each photo."; "Visa Application Form — 2 originals, Printed from VOW, Placed, dated and signed"; identical wording on the business and family-visit C visa pages; "From 1 March 2025, only electronic payment methods will be received at the Belgian Embassy in Tokyo. Cash will no longer be accepted.") (used for: photo copy count, application form, visa fee) Checked: 2026-08-15
- Embassy of Belgium in Tokyo — Visa handling fees (2026-08-15 re-verified: C visa 90 EUR / 17,100 JPY for adults and children over 12; 45 EUR / 8,550 JPY with facilitation agreement or children 6-12; free for children under 6; electronic payment only from 1 March 2025) (used for: visa fee) Checked: 2026-08-15
- Embassy of Belgium in Tokyo — VOW & e-Appointment guidance (2026-08-15 re-verified: create an account on Visa on Web at visaonweb.diplomatie.be and complete the online application, then the "Make an appointment" button appears at the bottom of the VOW page; "We cannot accept a visa application without VOW + online appointment."; biometric data collected at the appointment; one appointment per application) (used for: application form, appointment system, biometrics notes) Checked: 2026-08-15
shoumei.org helps users prepare photo files based on publicly available requirements. It does not submit visa applications, and it is not an official government service, Schengen authority, embassy, consulate, VFS Global, TLScontact, or BLS International service. Please verify the latest requirements with the official embassy, consulate, or visa application center before submitting.
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