The calendar, the seven steps, the fees and the pitfalls to avoid in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, based on official sources consulted on 22 October 2026.
The 2027-2028 admission calendars and amounts have not been published as of 22/10/2026: check them on the institutions' and the Immigration Office's websites before taking any step.
For a September 2027 intake, according to the dates published by the Equivalence Service, the universities and the Immigration Office.
| Step | Date |
|---|---|
| Submit the equivalence application | from 15/11/2026 to 15/07/2027 (postmark) |
| Apply to a university (non-EU, with visa) | from mid-February to 31 March (2026 dates, to be reconfirmed for 2027) |
| Equivalence decision | from 01/03/2027 at the earliest, in 4 to 12 weeks minimum |
| Submit the visa application | at least 90 days before classes start |
| Register with the municipality | within 8 days of arriving in Belgium |
Do not wait until 15/07 for the equivalence: the decision takes several weeks and the Immigration Office has 90 days to decide on the visa.
By registered mail or at the counter by appointment, with the diploma or transcript and proof of the €150 payment. For schooling outside the European Union, the service says an equivalence with restrictions is likely.
Online, before the deadline set for students who need a visa. ULB and ULiège charge a €200 application fee.
A blocked account opened by the institution, a blocked account with Studely or Ready Study Go International (the only ones accepted by the Immigration Office), a scholarship, or a guarantor's sponsorship undertaking (annex 32).
A medical certificate issued by an approved doctor, and a criminal record extract less than 6 months old, legalised by MINREX and then by the embassy or the honorary consulate in Douala, before you apply. GCE holders have their diplomas authenticated by the GCE Board before applying.
€251 for a public institution, €242 for a private institution (2026 rates), by bank transfer to the Immigration Office. Without proof of payment, the application is inadmissible.
Appointment on Visa On Web, then submission at the TLScontact centre in Yaoundé, the only one that accepts study applications. On the day you apply, an embassy questionnaire; an interview is possible.
Within 8 days of arrival, to obtain the residence card (A card, valid for one year).
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Equivalence application | €150, non-refundable |
| Admission application fee (ULB, ULiège) | €200 |
| Registration fee for a Cameroonian student (2026-2027) | €1,194 per year |
| Long-stay visa fee | the equivalent of €180, paid in FCFA |
| Immigration Office fee (2026) | €251 (public institution) or €242 (private) |
| Means of subsistence (2026-2027) | €1,062 net per month, i.e. €12,744 in a blocked account |
| TLScontact service fee | not published by the embassy, to be checked with TLScontact |
The fee is adjusted every 1 January and the means-of-subsistence amount is indexed every year. To prepare your proof of funds, see our article on proof of funds for a student visa.
MBM Travel Gate helps you prepare the equivalence, the applications and the financial file. We have no power over admissions or the Immigration Office's decisions: see our process and our packages.
No. ARES circular no. 2026-001 lists Cameroon among the countries whose nationals are exempt from the additional contribution. The student still owes the full registration fee, i.e. €1,194 in 2026-2027. The 2027-2028 amount has not been published yet.
€1,062 net per month in 2026-2027. Accepted forms: a blocked account of €12,744 opened by the institution, or with Studely or Ready Study Go International, a scholarship, or a sponsorship undertaking (annex 32) from a guarantor earning at least €3,279.47 net per month.
After booking an appointment on Visa On Web, at the TLScontact centre in Yaoundé, the only one that accepts study visa applications. On the day you apply, you fill in an embassy questionnaire; an interview with a consular officer is possible.
Yes: up to 20 hours per week during the academic year, as long as the work remains compatible with your studies, and with no hour limit during school holidays. After graduating in Belgium, your stay can be extended by up to 12 months to look for a job or start a business.
An MBM Travel Gate advisor reviews your profile and the feasibility of your project in Belgium free of charge.
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