Planning a trip to Belgium or elsewhere in Europe, to visit family, see a partner, travel or attend a wedding? For a stay of up to 90 days, Thai citizens need a Schengen short-stay visa, valid in all Schengen countries. The application is very document-heavy, and a missing or weak document is a frequent reason for refusal. This guide explains what you need in 2026, step by step, with Belgium as the detailed example.

1. Which visa do you need?

• Visiting for up to 90 days (family visit, holiday, visiting a partner, a wedding in Europe): a Schengen short-stay visa (type C). This guide covers this visa.
• Moving to Europe to live together, for example after a marriage in Thailand: a long-stay visa (type D) for family reunification. The rules are national and differ from country to country, so check with the embassy of the country concerned.
• Married to an EU citizen who lives in another EU country (for example a Belgian living in France): special, simpler rules for family members of EU citizens may apply.

2. Documents for a Schengen short-stay visa

Each embassy has its own checklist, but these documents are almost always required:

• Passport valid at least 3 months after leaving the Schengen area, with at least two blank pages, plus copies of the data page and all used pages.
• Application form, completed online (for Belgium, a handwritten form is not accepted).
• Recent photo meeting the official standards.
• Travel medical insurance covering emergency care, hospitalisation and repatriation, with at least €30,000 of coverage, for the whole stay.
• Purpose of the trip: an invitation letter from the person in Europe, with a copy of their ID or residence card.
• Accommodation: hotel bookings, or proof that the host will provide accommodation.
• Financial means: bank statements, pay slips or a formal guarantee from the host. For Belgium, the host can sign a guarantee (annexe 3bis) at their commune.
• Ties to Thailand, showing the traveller will return: employment letter and approved leave, business registration, house registration, property, family responsibilities.
• Flight reservation (a reservation is usually enough; do not buy a non-refundable ticket before the decision).

Documents in Thai usually need an official translation into English or the language of the embassy.

3. Step by step (example: Belgium)

1. Prepare the documents and the online application form.
2. Book an appointment at TLScontact, the Belgian visa application centre in Bangkok. All applicants living in Thailand submit there, not at the embassy.
3. Submit the application in person: documents, fingerprints and payment. The visa fee is paid in Thai baht at the embassy’s exchange rate, plus the TLScontact service fee.
4. Interview, if requested: in some cases, the applicant is asked to come to the embassy for an interview, generally the day after submission.
5. Wait for the decision: normally 15 days, up to 45 days if more checks are needed.
6. Collect the passport at TLScontact.

Sources: Embassy of Belgium in Thailand, Visa for Belgium and European Commission, Applying for a Schengen visa (checked October 2026).

4. Fees and timing

• Visa fee: €90 for adults, €45 for children aged 6 to 12. The fee is not refunded if the visa is refused.
• Service fee: the visa centre (TLScontact for Belgium) charges its own service fee on top.
• When to apply: between 6 months and 15 days before the trip. In high season, appointments fill up quickly, so apply early.
• Decision: normally within 15 days.

Doing it yourself vs. with Spoyzy

	On your own	With Spoyzy
Knowing which documents to send	Several checklists, often in English or French	One clear list for your situation, explained in Thai, English, French or Dutch
Cover and invitation letters	Write them yourselves	We prepare them with you
Translations	Find a translator	Arranged by us
Risk of refusal	A missing document can mean a refusal and a lost fee	We check the whole file before submission
Appointment	Book it yourself	We help you book it

5. Common reasons for a refusal

• Not enough proof of ties to Thailand (job, business, family, property).
• Unclear or insufficient financial means, or a missing guarantee from the host.
• The purpose of the trip is not clearly explained, or the documents contradict each other.
• Insurance that does not meet the requirements or does not cover the whole stay.
• Applying to the wrong country (not the main destination).

If a visa is refused, the decision explains the reasons. You can usually appeal, or apply again with a stronger file.

6. How Spoyzy can help

We help Thai travellers, and their families and partners in Europe, with Schengen visa applications from Thailand, in Thai, English, French and Dutch. We can:

• tell you exactly which visa and documents you need;
• check every document before submission;
• prepare the cover letter and invitation letter;
• translate documents and help book the appointment;
• after a marriage in Thailand, prepare the spouse visa application.

See our visa consulting service, or read our guide to marriage registration in Thailand.

Frequently asked questions

How long can I stay in Europe with a Schengen visa?

Up to 90 days in any 180-day period, in all Schengen countries combined. The exact dates allowed are written on the visa.

Where do I apply for a Schengen visa for Belgium?

At the TLScontact visa application centre in Bangkok, by appointment. The Belgian embassy does not accept applications directly from people living in Thailand.

How much does a Schengen visa cost?

€90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6 to 12, plus the visa centre’s service fee. The fee is not refunded if the visa is refused.

Can my family or partner in Europe help with the application?

Yes. An invitation letter from the host, proof of accommodation and, if needed, a formal financial guarantee (for Belgium, the annexe 3bis signed at the host’s commune) make the application much stronger.

We just got married in Thailand. Can my spouse move to Belgium?

Yes, with a long-stay visa for family reunification, which is a different procedure from the short-stay visa. Read our family reunification guide. Contact us and we will explain the documents for your situation.