Best Business Visa Lawyers in Hasselt

About Business Visa Law in Hasselt, Belgium

Business travel to Hasselt - located in the Flemish Region of Belgium - is governed by Belgian federal immigration law and the Schengen rules. For short trips up to 90 days within any rolling 180 day period, non EU-EEA-Swiss nationals who are visa required typically apply for a Schengen C visa for business purposes. This visa allows activities such as attending meetings, conferences, seminars, trade fairs, and negotiating contracts. It does not authorize taking up employment in Belgium. For longer stays or any activity that amounts to work in Belgium, you generally need a long stay D visa combined with the appropriate Belgian work or self employment authorization.

Hasselt has no separate visa regime, but practical steps such as address registration for long stays take place at the City of Hasselt after arrival. Regional authorities in Flanders are competent for work authorization, while the federal Immigration Office decides on residence. The embassy or consulate of Belgium in your country of residence handles visa applications.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Belgian business immigration rules are layered across Schengen rules, federal law, and regional economic migration policies. A lawyer can help you avoid errors that lead to refusals or compliance issues. You may benefit from legal help if you are unsure whether your planned activities qualify as business visitor activities, you plan to switch from a short stay to a long stay for work or entrepreneurship, your trip involves hands on services or training that could be considered work, you are a company bringing staff for short technical interventions and want to know whether a work authorization or Limosa notification is required, you received a visa refusal and want to appeal or re apply, you need a Single Permit for employment in Flanders or an authorization to work as self employed, you must coordinate family members and schooling with your move, or you need to regularize overstays or manage complex travel histories under the 90-180 day rule.

Local Laws Overview

Short stay business - Schengen C visa: Many third country nationals require a visa to enter Belgium for up to 90 days within 180 days. The EU Visa Code and Schengen Borders Code apply. The business visitor category allows meetings, conferences, negotiations, and similar activities. It does not authorize productive work in Belgium or receiving Belgian payroll employment. You must show purpose of travel, accommodation, sufficient means of subsistence, medical travel insurance of at least 30,000 euros with coverage for repatriation, and intention to return.

90-180 day rule: Time spent anywhere in the Schengen Area counts toward the 90 days allowed in any rolling 180 day period. Stays are tracked by entry and exit stamps and border systems. Overstays can lead to refusal of entry or future visas.

Long stay work - Single Permit: For employment in Belgium exceeding 90 days, a Single Permit combines residence and work authorization. In Flanders, the employer first seeks regional approval under an eligible category such as highly skilled worker, EU Blue Card, researcher, trainee, or intra corporate transferee. Federal authorities then issue residence authorization. Categories have document and salary threshold requirements that are indexed annually.

Short term work authorizations and notifications: Some short assignments may still require a work authorization or, for postings, at least a Limosa notification to Belgian authorities. Pure business visitor activities typically do not require Limosa, but any hands on or productive work often does. Exemptions exist but are narrow and fact specific.

Self employed activities: Third country nationals who wish to run a business or act as self employed professionals need regional authorization. This has traditionally been the professional card for self employed foreigners managed by the regions, with criteria on added economic value, viability, and qualifications. Flanders is responsible for these authorizations and procedures evolve periodically, so up to date advice is essential.

Registration in Hasselt for long stays: If you receive a D visa and intend to reside in Hasselt, you must register at the City of Hasselt within the stated time after arrival to open your residence file and obtain your residence card. A local address check is typically conducted.

Company compliance in Flanders: Employers hosting non Belgian staff must also consider wage thresholds, working time, posted worker rules, mandatory Limosa notifications for postings, and the obligation to keep social documents. A1 certificates may be needed for social security coordination when staff remain insured in another EEA state or Switzerland.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a visa to visit Hasselt for business?

It depends on your nationality and residence status. EU-EEA-Swiss nationals do not need a visa. Nationals of visa required countries must apply for a Schengen C visa for business. Nationals of several countries, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, can visit visa free for up to 90 days for business activities that do not constitute work. Always verify your status before you travel.

What activities are allowed on a business visa or visa free business visit?

Typical activities include attending meetings and conferences, negotiating or signing contracts, prospecting suppliers or customers, market research, visiting sites, and receiving training provided by your foreign employer. Hands on work for a Belgian customer or employer, or providing services in Belgium, usually requires work authorization. There are narrow exemptions that should be assessed case by case.

How long can I stay on a business visa?

Up to 90 days in any rolling 180 day period across the entire Schengen Area. The 90 day counter includes time spent in other Schengen countries, not only Belgium.

Can I be paid by a Belgian company while on a business visa?

Payment of incidental expenses or per diems is acceptable, but being on the payroll of a Belgian entity or performing productive work in Belgium typically requires a work authorization and a long stay visa. If in doubt, seek advice before traveling.

What documents are needed for a Schengen business visa for Belgium?

A valid passport, completed visa form, biometric data, recent photograph, proof of purpose of travel such as an invitation letter from a Belgian or EU based company, proof of accommodation and itinerary, travel medical insurance with at least 30,000 euros coverage valid throughout Schengen, proof of sufficient means of subsistence, and proof of ties to your home country. Some applicants may also provide a financial guarantee from a Belgian host, known as an Annex 3bis, filed at the local commune.

How long does processing take?

Schengen business visas are commonly decided within 15 calendar days from the date the application is deemed complete, though it can extend to 45 days in individual cases. Long stay Single Permit cases often take several weeks to a few months because regional and federal authorities must both decide.

Can I extend a business visa while in Belgium?

Extensions of a short stay are exceptional and granted only for force majeure, humanitarian reasons, or serious personal reasons. You should plan your itinerary within the 90-180 day rule. Long stays for work or self employment require applying for the correct authorization and D visa before travel in most cases.

Can I switch from a business visa to a work permit after arrival?

Generally no. Most applicants must apply for the appropriate work authorization and D visa from abroad. There are limited exceptions for certain categories already lawfully residing in Belgium. A lawyer can assess whether an in country change is legally possible in your situation.

Do I need travel insurance?

Yes. For Schengen short stays you must carry medical travel insurance with minimum coverage of 30,000 euros, valid for your entire Schengen stay including repatriation. Keep the policy and proof of coverage with you when you travel.

How much money must I show for my stay?

Belgium uses reference amounts to assess sufficient means of subsistence. As a rule of thumb, plan to show funds around typical Belgian reference amounts per day of stay, with lower amounts if accommodation is covered by a host. The exact figures are set by the Immigration Office and can change. Bank statements, employer letters, and a company invitation can support your file.

Additional Resources

Belgian Immigration Office - federal authority responsible for residence decisions and policy for foreigners in Belgium. Publishes guidance on short stay rules, reference amounts, and residence procedures.

Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs - oversees Belgian embassies and consulates that accept visa applications and publish country specific checklists and appointment procedures.

Flemish Department of Work and Social Economy - competent regional body for work authorizations and Single Permit applications in Flanders, including categories like highly skilled worker and EU Blue Card.

Flemish authorities for self employed authorizations - regional body responsible for authorizations to exercise self employed activities in Flanders, traditionally the professional card process.

City of Hasselt - Population and Civil Affairs - handles local registration for residents, Annex 3bis financial guarantee filings for hosts, and delivery of residence cards after federal approval.

Social security and labor compliance resources - Limosa portal information for foreign employers posting workers to Belgium, and guidance on posted worker rules and A1 certificates.

Enterprise support bodies in Flanders - resources for company formation, business planning, and the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises registration once you are authorized to operate.

Next Steps

Clarify your activity and timeline. Write down exactly what you will do in Belgium, for whom, and for how long. Determine whether the activity is pure business visiting or amounts to work or service delivery in Belgium.

Check your entry requirements. Confirm whether you are visa required for short stays and whether your recent Schengen travel will affect the 90-180 day calculation.

Prepare a compliant file. Gather a company invitation that clearly states purpose and dates, travel insurance with 30,000 euros coverage, proof of funds, accommodation, and evidence of ties to your home country. For companies, prepare corporate documents and a detailed agenda.

Assess work authorization needs. If there is any doubt that your activity could be considered work, obtain legal advice on Single Permit routes, short term exemptions, or notifications such as Limosa. Employers in Flanders should verify eligibility and salary thresholds in the chosen category.

Mind local steps in Hasselt. For long stays, plan on registering at the City of Hasselt promptly after arrival, completing police address verification, and collecting your residence card. If you host a visitor and provide financial support, enquire about submitting an Annex 3bis guarantee.

Consult an immigration lawyer. A local or Belgium focused lawyer can map the correct route, check document sufficiency, estimate realistic timelines, and manage risks like prior overstays, security checks, or complex travel histories.

Apply early and keep records. Appointment availability can vary seasonally. Keep copies of all forms, confirmations, and correspondence. Travel only after you have the correct visa or authorization in hand.

This guide is general information only. For tailored advice on business visas and work authorization for Hasselt and Flanders, consult a qualified immigration professional.