Application and supporting documents

All applications must be submitted in person (no appointment required) OR by mail to the Consulate General of Belgium in Montreal. To ensure your application has been received, you may send it by registered mail and require the recipient’s signature.

Processing times for the Working Holiday Visa are typically 4 to 6 weeks from the date your application is submitted. This timeframe may vary depending on how busy the consulate is.

Once your application is approved, a temporary residence authorization will be affixed to your passport. From that point, you will have three months to enter Belgium in order to activate your Working Holiday Visa. Once you arrive, you will have 12 months to enjoy your stay in Belgium.

Below are all the items that must be included in your application. Source.

1. Long-stay visa application Form

The digital form must be completed, printed, dated, and signed.

2. statement of purpose

You must write a short, signed motivation letter explaining why you wish to go on a Working Holiday in Belgium.

Your main objective must remain travel. The Working Holiday Program is not appropriate if your primary goal is to study or work in Belgium.

3. Original Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 15 months after the start of your Working Holiday.

As your passport will be held by the Belgian authorities during processing, do not plan any international travel during this time.

4. Two recent photos

They must be less than 6 months old, passport-sized, in colour, and taken against a white background.

5. Proof of sufficient funds

You must have at least €2,500 to cover your initial expenses. To demonstrate this, you must provide your last three bank statements.

6. Plane ticket (or additional funds)

If you have not purchased a round-trip plane ticket, you must provide proof of sufficient funds to buy one later (for example, additional savings or a credit card in your name that remains valid for at least one year).

7. Health insurance

You must purchase comprehensive insurance covering workplace accidents, healthcare, hospitalization, and repatriation for 365 days, even if you plan to stay for less than one year. Provide a certificate (maximum 3 pages) showing your full name, as well as the coverage details and conditions for one year.

The start date of your coverage must match your planned departure date. It is recommended to choose insurance that offers a refund in case of visa refusal, such as Globe WHV.

8. Payment of fees

Canadians applying for a Working Holiday Visa in Belgium must pay:

1. €180 in consular fees (long-stay visa), and
2. €242 in administrative fees.

These fees may change. Payment methods are listed on the official website.

9. Police certificate

You must obtain a police certificate issued by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It must be apostilled by the competent Canadian authority: Global Affairs Canada. This is free of charge.

Follow the instructions on the official website.

10. Medical certificate

An approved physician must certify that you do not have any illness that could pose a risk to public health in Belgium. Be sure to follow the instructions on the official website.

11. Prepaid, self-addressed return envelope

You must include a return envelope (e.g., XpressPost, FedEx, UPS, DHL, or Purolator) so the consulate can return your passport and official documents. International addresses are not accepted.

This step is required even if you submit your application in person at the consulate.