Schengen Visa

Starting 21 December 2007, the Schengen visa is valid for the following 25 European countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden, Estonia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland. A Schengen visa allows the holder to travel freely in all these countries for a maximum stay of up to 90 days in a 6 month period.

Where should I apply?

1. if you intend to visit only one Schengen country, you must apply at the office of that particular country.
2. if you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply for a visa at the office of the country which is your main destination.
3. if you intend to visit several Schengen countries but do not have a main destination, you should apply for a visa at the office of the country which is your first point of entry.

Note :
Visas for the Faroe Islands and Greenland may only be applied for from the Danish Trade Organisations' Taipei Office.
Visas for the French overseas departments and territories may only be applied for from the Institut Français.

What should I submit?

1. 1 application form + 1 photo. Applicant must sign himself the form.Please use English, French or Dutch to fill out the form. The signature must be the same as on the passport. Information should be complete & true.
2. Itinerary (+ signature of applicant or company stamp from the travel agency) and flight booking.
3. Original passport + 1 copy (validity should be longer than 3 months after visa expiry date)
4. Copy of ID card (for those without ID card: please provide household registry)
5. Purpose of the trip (business, family visit, tourism)

Business trip : invitation letter by fax or e-mail from the company in Belgium (sent directly from Belgium to this office) and a financial guarantee letter (either stated clearly in the invitation letter from Belgium that they will take financial responsability for the applicant or seperate support letter from the company in Taiwan or financial resources of the applicant.
Tourist trip : proof of financial resources (bank statement) and hotel booking confirmation (sent directly from the hotel in Belgium to this office).
Visiting relatives or friends : invitation letter supported by a guarantee letter signed by the relative or friend in Belgium and legalised by the city hall (with copy of ID card or residence card of the guarantor and proof of his financial resources).

6. Copy of medical insurance.
   
   As of October 1st, 2010 additional travel medical insurance will be required see following link : updated list insurance
7. The applicant must apply in person, a life picture and fingerprints will be taken.

Remarks :
Applicants younger than 18 years old, must have an authorisation of both parents whose signatures must be legalised by a notary public and afterwards by the bureau of consular affairs, MOFA.

The Consular administration has full authority to evaluate and request more documents than those submitted by the applicant. The latter is hereby informed that submitting the aforementioned documents does not guarantee automatic issuance of the visa.

Please note that holders of Schengen visa are still subject to immigration control upon first entry into a Schengen country and are therefore NOT guaranteed automatic entry even when they hold a valid Schengen visa. Return ticket and proof of sufficient financial means (e.g. credit card, cash, traveler's cheques, guarantee letter) may still be requested upon entry in the Schengen area.

Download forms

Download the application forms

Attention : Both sides of the application form have to be printed on one (1) page.

New application form as of April 5th, 2010: application form - application form pdf

Word 2000-doc (Microsoft Word 2000 needed)
PDF (Adobe Acrobat Reader needed)

Visa Fee

New visa fees as of Nov 1st 2011

Schengen visa (short stay, up to 90 days) = 2520 NTD

Transit visa = 2520 NTD

Office hours

The office hours of the visa section of the Belgian Office, Taipei are from 9:00am until 11:45am Monday through Friday. The visa can be collected after 2 days starting at 14:00 h. The Visa Offices of the Schengen countries are closed on all Taiwanese holidays and on the national holidays of the individual countries.