Family visa & family reunification

Being with the people you love shouldn't be an obstacle course. We guide you through one of the most demanding procedures, with rigour and humanity.

  • Spouse · children · parents
  • Certificates and legalisations checked
  • Complex files accepted
Fatma Travel poster — Family visa & family reunification
Long-term stay

Family reunification leads to a long-stay visa (type D in Europe), then to a residence permit.

Long
The key element

Marriage and birth certificates, often legalised: this is where the file is won or lost.

Certificates
Plan ahead

The procedure often takes several months: better to start early and do it right.

Months

Understanding the family visa

Joining a relative who lives in Europe

Family reunification allows a family member to join a person who lives legally in a country — for example Belgium or France. It mainly concerns the spouse or partner and minor children; in some cases, other family members may be eligible depending on the nationality and status of the person who receives them.

In Belgium, the person bringing their family over (the "sponsor") must generally prove adequate housing, health insurance covering the family and, depending on the case, stable, regular and sufficient means of support. The long-stay visa application is submitted at the embassy, then examined by the Immigration Office.

These files rely on official certificates — marriage, birth, parentage — whose authenticity is closely checked. A spelling mistake, an inconsistent date or a missing legalisation can block the procedure for months. This is exactly where our support makes the difference.

Fatma Travel poster — destination Bujumbura

The situations we support

  • Spouse or partner

    Marriage or registered partnership: we check that the certificates are compliant and recognised, and prepare the proof of the relationship.

  • Children

    Minor children of the couple or of one parent: birth certificates, consent from the other parent if needed, custody rulings.

  • Family visit (short stay)

    Just want to visit a relative? A short-stay visa is often enough: we point you to the right procedure.

Documents to prepare

  • Family relationship

    Certificates to gather:

    • Marriage certificate or proof of partnership
    • Children's birth certificates
    • Legalisations or apostilles required by the destination country
    • Translations by a sworn translator if needed

  • From the host

    Generally:

    • Residence permit or identity card
    • Proof of adequate housing (lease or property deed)
    • Proof of regular income (payslips, contract)
    • Health insurance covering the family

  • From the applicant

    Depending on the country:

    • Valid passport and photos meeting the standards
    • Long-stay visa application form
    • Medical certificate
    • Criminal record extract (for adults)

Your application, step by step

  1. 1

    Assessment

    We check that the situation meets the conditions for family reunification, before any expense.

  2. 2

    Official certificates

    Checking certificates, legalisations and translations — the most delicate step.

  3. 3

    File on both sides

    We coordinate the host in Europe and the applicant back home.

  4. 4

    Submission at the embassy

    Appointment, long-stay visa submission and payment of the required fees.

  5. 5

    Decision and arrival

    Follow-up of the review, then advice on the formalities on arrival (municipality, residence permit).

Our commitment

Sensitive files, handled with care

A family reunification means a family waiting. We know that: which is why we take the time to explain every condition, answer every question and check every certificate before it goes to the embassy.

With our offices in Brussels and in Burundi, we can support both family members — the one receiving and the one leaving — and pass information on without wasting time.

  • Checking that civil status certificates comply.
  • Clear explanation of the income and housing conditions.
  • Coordination between Belgium and Burundi.
  • Preparation for possible interviews or requests for additional information.
A Fatma Travel adviser prepares a family reunification file with a couple

What Fatma Travel does for you

  • Analysis of your situation

    First, we study your profile, your plans and the destination country to choose the right visa and spot the weak points in the file.

  • Tailor-made document list

    You receive a clear list, adapted to your case and checked against the official requirements in force — nothing unnecessary, nothing forgotten.

  • Document-by-document check

    We review every document: consistency of dates, amounts, names, translations. This is where most refusals are decided.

  • Forms and appointments

    We fill in the forms with you and help you get an appointment at the visa centre or embassy.

  • Interview preparation

    If there is an interview, we prepare you for the usual questions so you can answer clearly and confidently.

  • Follow-up until the decision

    We stay reachable until the consulate replies, with a French-speaking team in Brussels and in Burundi.

  • After a refusal

    We analyse the reasons for the refusal and advise you: appeal, a better-documented new application, or another strategy.

Frequently asked questions

How long does family reunification take?

It depends on the country and the file: the procedure often takes several months. A complete file from the start avoids requests for additional documents that lengthen the wait.

Do my marriage or birth certificates need to be legalised?

Very often, yes. The requirements (legalisation, apostille, translation) depend on the country that issued the certificate and the destination country. We tell you exactly what is required in your case.

Can I bring my parents over?

It is more restrictive than for a spouse or children and depends on your nationality and status. We study your situation and present realistic options, including the visit visa.

What happens on arrival in Europe?

The long-stay visa lets you enter; you then need to register with the municipality to get the residence permit. We explain the formalities to complete as soon as you arrive.

Other visa types

Let's bring your family together

Tell us about your plans: we assess your file and tell you clearly which documents to gather, the timelines and the cost of our support.

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