Decisions taken on visa applications are notified by the Belgian diplomatic and consular authorities in writing, by telephone or orally at the visa window.
Once a decision to issue a visa has been taken, the actual provision of the visa is often conditional upon presentation of a ticket (for example, a non-transferable return air ticket bearing the passenger's name). To prevent any misunderstanding, it is worthwhile to note that this ticket should only be purchased once the Belgian diplomatic or consular authorities have notified the applicant that the visa has been granted.

Note: Presentation of a visa does not grant an unconditional right to enter Belgium or the Schengen area. When the applicant presents his/her visa at the border, he/she may be refused access to Belgium if he/ she is clearly without means of subsistence and is unable to procure such means by undertaking legal paid employment. Proof of adequate means of subsistence may take the form of cash, cheques and credit cards accepted in Belgium, the original copy of a pledge of financial support, a work contract, bank statements, proof of enrolment on the trade register and/ or of professional activity.