How can a Thai child join a parent in Belgium?
The child applies in Bangkok for a family reunification visa D. A child of a Belgian parent (or of a parent married to or living with a Belgian) can join until age 21; a child of a non-EU parent living in Belgium until age 18. The key documents are the child’s legalised and translated birth certificate, proof of custody (or the other parent’s consent) for a child under 18, and the parent’s proof of housing, income and health insurance.
A Thai mother or father of a Belgian child under 18 can also get a visa D to join or accompany that child. Spoyzy in Bangkok prepares the Thai documents and checks the file.
Many Thai–Belgian families have a child from an earlier relationship in Thailand, often living with grandparents, who later joins the Thai parent and the Belgian step-parent in Belgium. This guide follows the Belgian Embassy in Bangkok checklists.
In short
- Visa: national visa D, family reunification
- Age: under 21 to join a Belgian parent (or a parent with a Belgian partner); under 18 to join a non-EU parent
- Under 18: custody proof or written consent of the other parent is essential
- Fees: visa fee €250; contribution fee free under 18, €218 from 18
- Passport valid at least 12 months
- Decision: within 6 months (Belgian parent), up to 9 months or more (non-EU parent)
Why families choose Spoyzy
- We speak Thai, English, French and Dutch, so the parent in Belgium and the family in Thailand understand every step
- We know the Thai side: we tell you exactly which birth, custody or consent document to ask for at the district office, then we translate and legalise it
- 800+ legalised documents
- Rated 5.0 ★ on Google
1. Which case are you?
| Situation | Embassy checklist | Age limit |
|---|---|---|
| The child joins a Belgian mother or father, or a Thai parent who is married to or legally cohabiting with a Belgian | Family reunion for children with a Belgian parent | Under 21 |
| The child joins a non-EU parent living in Belgium (or a parent with a non-EU partner) | Family reunion for children with a non-EU parent | Under 18 |
| A Thai parent joins or accompanies their Belgian child under 18 | Family reunion with a Belgian child | Child under 18 |
| The parent in Belgium is a non-Belgian EU citizen | EU family visa (free visa C) | Under 21 or dependent |
2. Documents: child joining a parent
General
- Passport valid at least 12 months, plus a copy of the data page
- National (long-stay) visa form, completed and signed, with a recent colour photo (3.5 × 4.5 cm, white background)
- Form to choose the language of the decision
- Proof of payment of the contribution fee (only from age 18)
From the parent in Belgium
- Copy of the residence card or Belgian ID card (front and back), and the partner’s card if the parent is married to or cohabiting with someone
- Proof of the marriage or legal cohabitation, if the child joins through the parent’s partner
- Proof of suitable housing: property deed or a registered rental contract
- Proof of stable, regular and sufficient income over at least the last 12 months. For a non-EU parent, the checklist says this proof is not needed when only one child applies
- Proof that the parent’s mutuality agrees to cover the child
From the child
- Birth certificate, legalised by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, translated by a translator recognised by the embassy, and legalised by the Belgian Embassy
- Name change certificate, if any (same legalisation)
- For a child under 18, one of these (same legalisation): (1) a certificate from the district office or a court that custody belongs only to the parent in Belgium or (2) the written consent of the other parent, made at the district office, giving custody to the parent in Belgium or (3) the death certificate of the other parent
- Travel insurance valid in Belgium, at least €30,000, for at least 3 months, unless the parent proves the child will be registered on their mutuality
Custody is where most files get stuck. If the other parent cannot be found or does not agree, talk to us before you start: the solution depends on the case and can take time.
3. Documents: Thai parent of a Belgian child
- Passport valid at least 12 months, visa form with photo, language form, copy of the data page
- The child’s birth certificate (legalised and translated, unless issued by Belgium)
- Proof that the child is Belgian (the child must be under 18)
- Name change certificate of the parent, if any
- A flight reservation: for the parent, or for the parent and the child if they travel together
4. Costs
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Visa fee (visa D) | €250, paid in baht at TLScontact |
| Contribution fee | Free under 18; €218 from 18 (family of a Belgian or of a non-EU resident) |
| Legalisation at the Belgian Embassy | €25 per document, paid in baht (1,000 THB), by appointment |
| Other | TLScontact service fee, Ministry of Foreign Affairs legalisation, translations, insurance |
5. Steps and timeline
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Now | Collect the birth certificate and custody or consent documents; legalise, translate, legalise at the embassy |
| In Belgium, at the same time | The parent gathers housing, income and mutuality documents |
| At the earliest 6 months before travel | The child applies in person at TLScontact Bangkok with 2 sets of copies |
| If something is missing | You can complete the file within 10 days after the embassy asks |
| Decision | Within 6 months (Belgian parent); 9 months, extendable, for a non-EU parent. If the documents do not prove the parent–child link, the Immigration Office may propose a DNA test |
| After the visa | Buy the flight (the embassy asks for a ticket only after approval); register at the commune in Belgium |
6. Common mistakes
- No custody proof or consent from the other parent for a child under 18
- A child of a non-EU parent who is already 18
- Passport valid less than 12 months
- Birth certificate not legalised in the right order (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, translation, embassy)
- Different spellings of names between the passport and Thai documents
- An unregistered rental contract, or no mutuality confirmation
7. How Spoyzy helps
- We check which visa and age rule apply to your child
- We tell you which custody or consent document to get at the district office (you or the other parent go there yourselves)
- Birth, name change, custody and consent documents: translation by our partner translator recognised by the Belgian Embassy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and embassy legalisation
- Names checked against the passport
- Help with the visa form, the TLScontact appointment and a full check of the file
Read also: Which Belgium visa do you need?, Family reunification with a Belgian spouse and EU family visa for Belgium
Want your child to join you in Belgium?
Tell us on WhatsApp the child’s age, your nationality and who has custody today.
About Poy
Poy runs Spoyzy Co., Ltd. in Bangkok, a specialist for Thailand–Europe visas and official documents. Poy has handled 200+ visa cases and 800+ legalised documents, and works in Thai, English, French and Dutch.
Frequently asked questions
Until what age can a Thai child join a parent in Belgium?
Until 21 when joining a Belgian parent, or a parent who is married to or legally cohabiting with a Belgian. Until 18 when joining a non-EU parent living in Belgium.
Can my Thai stepchild join us in Belgium?
Yes. A child of a Thai parent who is married to or legally cohabiting with a Belgian can join under the rules for children of a Belgian, until age 21, with custody proof for a child under 18.
What if the child’s other parent does not agree?
For a child under 18, you need proof of sole custody, the other parent’s written consent made at the district office, or the other parent’s death certificate. Without it, the file is not complete. Talk to us early.
Does the child pay the contribution fee?
No, children under 18 are exempt. From 18, the contribution fee is €218.
Does the parent in Belgium need a minimum income?
The checklist asks for proof of stable, regular and sufficient income over the last 12 months. For a non-EU parent, it says this proof is not needed when only one child applies.
How long does it take?
For a child of a Belgian, a decision within 6 months. For a child of a non-EU parent, within 9 months, which can be extended.
Which Thai documents are needed?
The birth certificate, any name change certificate, and custody or consent documents, all legalised by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, translated by a recognised translator and legalised by the Belgian Embassy.
Can I, as a Thai parent, join my Belgian child?
Yes, if the child is Belgian and under 18. You apply for a visa D with the child’s birth certificate, proof that the child is Belgian and a flight reservation.
Can the child travel first on a tourist visa?
To live in Belgium, the child needs the family reunification visa D. A tourist visa is for visits of up to 90 days.
Sources (checked 29 October 2026): Belgian Embassy in Bangkok, checklists “Visa for family reunion for children with one Belgian parent”, “Visa for family reunion for children with NON-EU parent living in Belgium” and “Visa for family reunion with Belgian child”; “Visa for Belgium” (visa fee €250 from 1 July 2026); Immigration Office (dofi.ibz.be), “Contribution fee” and “Visa D application – family reunification” (decision periods, DNA test).
Last verified: 29 October 2026.
Written by Poy, founder of Spoyzy
Poy has handled 200+ visa cases, 150+ marriages and 800+ document legalisations for Thai–foreign couples and families. Poy speaks Thai, French and English (and a little Dutch), and explains every document to both partners in their own language.
Ask Poy on WhatsAppLast updated: October 2026
