FAQs

Travel Visa FAQs    Passport FAQs  Australian ETA FAQs   Other FAQs

Travelling with Children FAQs

Travel Visa FAQs

What is a travel visa?
A travel visa is a document issued by a foreign country that provides permission for you to gain entry into that country.  It is your responsibility to determine whether or not a travel visa is required for your upcoming trip.  Please go to the Visas section of our website to see the travel visa requirements for your specific destination.   

What is required to apply for a travel visa?
While the specific requirements vary, most countries require that you submit recent photographs, complete an application form, and submit your actual passport. Your passport is required as the visa, if issued, is affixed it a blank visa page in your passport. Other documents can also be required such as a detailed travel itinerary, health information, and invitation letters. Frequent changes to visa requirements and regulations cause research for international travel itineraries to be a confusing and time-consuming process. CIBTvisas alleviates the confusion for customers and clients by maintaining a proprietary database that has the most up to date travel visa requirements for over 200 counties. To find out if a travel visa is required for your specific destination, go to the Visas section of our website.

How does CIBTvisas obtain a travel visa for me?
CIBTvisas obtains travel visas by submitting a completed travel visa application, and other required documents, to embassies or consulates of on your behalf. This eliminates the need for you to visit, communicate, and correspond directly with the embassy or consulate of your destination country. Please go to the Visas section of our website to see the travel visa requirements for your specific destination.

Is my passport required to obtain a travel visa?
For the majority of countries, a travel visa is stamped on, or affixed to, a travel visa page inside a passport. However, there are a few exceptions. Please go to the Visas section of our website to see the travel visa requirements for your specific destination.

Do nationals of countries other than Belgium need a travel visa?
CIBTvisas provides the travel visa requirements for travellers of many nationalities. No matter what type of passport you hold, CIBTvisas can provide detailed travel visa information for most destinations. Please go to the Visas section of our website to see the travel visa requirements for your specific destination.

I am living in Belgium and want to travel to a neighbouring country. Do I need a Visa?
A foreigner (if not visa exempt) with a Schengen visa or a Belgian residence permit can, within the validity of their visa, unlimitedly travel within the Schengen countries. These are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Slovak Rep. Slovenia, Czech Rep. Sweden and Switzerland. NOTE: Great Britain and Ireland, although EU-member, are not part of the Schengen area, a separate visa is required.

How long will it take CIBTvisas to process my travel visa?
The speed to process a visa varies for each destination country. CIBTvisas can process travel visas for many destinations in as little as a day. Please view the Visas section and select your country of travel to determine the travel visa processing time.

Can CIBTvisas obtain additional documents required to apply for my travel visa, such as an invitation or confirmation?
Travel visa invitations and confirmations are documents approved by the Foreign Ministry of the country of destination. These documents authorise you to visit their country. CIBTvisas is able to acquire travel visa invitations and confirmations on your behalf.  Go to the Visas section of our website to see the travel visa requirements for your specific destination.

Can I fax passport copies and completed applications to CIBTvisas for issuance of a travel visa?
For the majority of countries, an original passport and application with your signature must be submitted in order to apply for a travel visa. However, there are a few exceptions. Please go to the Visas section of our website to see the travel visa requirements for your specific destination.

Does the photo in my passport count as one passport photo? Can I submit digitally produced passport photographs?
The photographs submitted with a travel visa application must adhere to specific requirements regarding the size, background colour, and type of paper on which the photo is printed. The standard size is a 45mm high x 35mm wide photo taken of yourself within the last month.  Please be aware that any attempts to use digital photos must adhere to standard passport photo requirements (colour, plain background) and be printed on correct photo quality paper. Please go to the Visas section of our website to see the photograph requirements for your specific destination.

Has CIBTvisas received my documentation yet?
To track the status of your order, please visit Status Check where you can get up-to-date information on your order. You can track your order by using either the CIBTvisas order number and traveller’s last name or the travellers date of birth and last name. If you are a CIBTvisas account manager you can log in to your account and see all of the orders you are managing.    

Why does CIBTvisas ask for two dates on the order form: the entry date and the date passport is required?
These dates are important because the traveller may require that his/her passport be returned in advance of their actual departure or entry date. Travellers may have an interim international trip scheduled. Please note that processing timeframes and fees are based on the date the passport must be back in your possession.

What is the difference between visa validity vs. duration?
Validity refers to the expiry date of the visa itself. Duration refers to the maximum stay permitted, based on the visa. A China multiple entry visa may be valid for 1 year, however, the maximum stay per entry is 30 days.

What are the differences between multiple, double or single entry visa?
A multiply entry visa allows the traveller to visit a country an unlimited number of times as long as the visa remains valid and the duration of stay is within the limits. A double entry allows two entries, and single entry visa allows the holder to visit a country only once before needing a new visa.

What is included in the fees I pay to CIBTvisas for my travel visa?
The fees to process a travel visa include a consular fee and a CIBTvisas fee. The consular fee is a fee charged by the country that is issuing the travel visa. These charges must be paid to the consulate issuing the travel visa whether the visa is issued by CIBTvisas or not. Please note that the consular fees are subject to change without advance notice at any time by various governments. The cost of using CIBTvisas varies based on the services you have requested and how quickly you need the documentation to be processed. The fees established by CIBTvisas are in place to facilitate and maintain the highest quality of travel visa and passport processing possible. CIBTvisas service fees and consular fees charged by the country issuing the travel visa will be clearly listed in CIBTvisas Application Packs. Please go to the Visas section of our website to see the travel visa requirements for your specific destination.

What forms of payment does CIBTvisas accept?
CIBTvisas accepts payment by Maestro and credit card including Visa, American Express and Mastercard.

What is the proper format for the business cover letter/letter of guaranty that will accompany my visa application?
In general, business cover letters must be on company letterhead, must be signed by someone in authority other than the applicant, and must include the nature of the visit as well as a guarantee that the company will pay the applicant's expenses.

Can I get a visa issued upon arrival?
Some countries will permit this but many will not. However, even if your destination country does allow issuance upon entry, CIBTvisas highly recommends procuring your visa prior to departure to prevent any possible delays or entry denials at the border.

Am I required to receive vaccinations for international travel?
Some countries require you to show proof of vaccination for certain diseases in order to apply for a visa. Any vaccinations required to apply for a visa will be clearly outlined in the CIBTvisas Information Pack.  However, additional vaccinations may be recommended for you. To determine if vaccinations are recommended for your travel itinerary, please contact your local physician or consult www.itg.be

Where can I find the latest Travel Warnings?
For the latest information on Travel Warnings, Public Announcements, and Consular Information Sheets for all countries of the world, please contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.diplomatie.belgium.be/

Passport FAQs

What is a passport?
A passport is a travel document that serves as the ultimate form of proof for your citizenship. Every country issues passports to citizens of that country. Belgian passports are issued by the Belgian Ministry of Home Affairs. For more information on obtaining a Dutch Passport or Identity Card visit: https://www.diplomatie.belgium.be/

Do I need a passport?
Belgian citizens require passports to exit and enter Belgium and all other countries in the world. It is your responsibility to carry the correct identification while traveling abroad.

How long is my passport valid?
Most Belgian passports are issued with five year validity. If you have been issued with an emergency passport it will be valid for only one year.

How long must my passport be valid for international travel?
Most countries require that a passport be valid for at least six months beyond the completion of a trip. If your passport expires sooner than that, you must apply to renew your passport. Please view the Visas section to determine how long a passport must be valid for each specific country of travel.

How many blank passport pages do I need to meet entrance requirements and what is considered a 'blank' passport page? Passports must have enough blank pages to accommodate entry and exit immigration stamps for each country of travel. At least one visa page in your passport is required for each visa. Most travel visas that are stamped into your passport require an entire blank visa page. A 'blank' visa page must be clean, clear, and not show ink or stains from any other pages in the passport. 

I am recently married or divorced and have changed my name. Can CIBTvisas help me change my name on my passport?
With proper documentation, you are able to change the name listed in your passport. For more information on obtaining a Belgian Passport for your name change visit: https://www.diplomatie.belgium.be/

For renewal of Non-Belgian passports, who can I contact?
You can contact CIBTvisas for renewal of (Non-Belgian) passports on telephone number +32 2 770 07 71.

Do my children require passports?
Yes. Each individual citizen, including infants, must possess his or her own passport. You are not allowed to represent other members of the family inside your passport. For more information on obtaining a Belgian Passport for your child visit: https://www.diplomatie.belgium.be/

How old must my children be to apply for a Child Passport?
Your children must be 15 years old or younger to apply for a Child Passport. For more information on obtaining a Belgian Passport for your child visit: https://www.diplomatie.belgium.be/

Australian ETA FAQs

What is an Australian ETA?
An Australian ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) is the electronic equivalent of an Australian visa which is issued by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship of Australia (DIAC). An Australian ETA authorises access to travellers residing outside of Australia without providing a stamp in your passport. To get your instant Australian ETA, go to the Australian ETA section of our website.

Are there different types of an Australian ETA?
Yes, there are 2 different types of Australian ETA.  There is a Tourist ETA and a Business ETA.  The Tourist ETA applies for travel for tourism only. Tourism includes holidays, recreation and visiting family and/or friends. It is valid for 1 year for multiple journeys of up to 3 months.  The Business ETA applies to business purposes only. Business purposes may include attending a conference, negotiation or an exploratory business visit. It is valid for 1 year for multiple journeys of up to 3 months.  To get your instant Australian ETA, go to the Australian ETA section of our website.

Who is eligible for an Australian ETA?
To be eligible for an Australian ETA, you must reside outside of Australia and hold a passport from an approved country.

Countries approved for an Australian ETA are:

* A Hong Kong Document of Identity (HKDI) cannot be used to apply for an ETA. Residents of Hong Kong require a citizen passport to apply for this visa.

** Holders of Taiwan passports can only be processed for an ETA if residing and applying in Taiwan. Applications can be lodged with an approved ETA Travel Agent in the Taiwan or Australian Visa Services office in Taipei.

You are only eligible to apply for an Australian ETA if you reside outside of Australia.  If you do not meet ETA eligibility qualifications, please visit the Visa section of our website to determine your specific travel visa requirements for Australia.

Why is there no visa label in my passport?
The Australian Government introduced an electronic visa system so that travellers no longer needed to submit their passports to an Australian Embassy. The system operates through the worldwide flight information system that is accessed by all airlines and cruise companies. After your Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visa has been issued the visa exists only in this system.

Do I need a ticket before I apply for an ETA?
No. You do not need to arrange your flight to Australia before applying for an ETA.

How long will it take for my visa to be processed?
In most cases, ETA visa applications will be processed instantly. However, processing may be delayed if you enter incorrect information, if you have a criminal conviction or if your application is referred.

It is also important to note that Business Long-Validity ETAs generally take up to 2 days to be processed.

How does CIBTvisas obtain an Australian ETA?
CIBTvisas provides Australian ETA services for Belgian citizens by submitting proper documentation on your behalf to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship of Australia (DIAC). CIBTvisas simplifies the application process by eliminating the need for you to visit, communicate, and correspond directly with the DIAC. To get your instant Australian ETA, go to the Australian ETA section of our website.

Travelling with Children FAQs

Are children and infants required to carry their own Belgian passport?
Each individual Belgian citizen must possess his or her own passport. You are not allowed to represent other members of your family inside your passport. Infants must now possess their own passport. For more information on obtaining a Belgian Passport for your child visit: https://www.diplomatie.belgium.be/

How old must my child be to qualify for a child passport?
To qualify for a child passport, your child must be 16 years of age or younger and recognised as a Belgian citizen.  For more information, please visit Child Passport for details.

How long is my child’s passport valid?
A passport issued to a child under the age of 15 is valid for 5 years from the date of issuance.  All passports issued to individuals over the age of 15 are valid for 10 years from the date of issuance. For more information on obtaining a Dutch Passport for your child visit: https://www.diplomatie.belgium.be/

Do my children need travel visas?
Travel visa requirements are the same for all travellers, regardless of age. Please visit our Visas section for current, specific travel visa requirements for your children.

My spouse and I are divorced. Do our children have to meet special passport requirements since we are no longer married?
The passport application requirements for children of divorced parents vary depending upon the details outlined in the custody arrangement. As a result, each application may be subject to different processing requirements. To obtain more information regarding your specific parental responsibility requirements,please contact a CIBTvisas travel visa and passport specialist for details at [email protected]. 

Other FAQs

I lost my invoice. Can I get a new one?
Please contact our accounting department at +32 2 770 07 71 or send an email to [email protected]

Can my visa be send to my home address?
Yes, we can send your visa to an address of your choice. We advise you to do an online order so you can specifiy your return method and address. For more information on our delivery methods please visit our service directory.