Luxembourg entry visa for third-country nationals
Last update
Nationals from certain non-EU countries who wish to visit, transit through or work in Luxembourg must, before their departure, have a valid travel document with a visa issued by a consular authority from one of the countries in the Schengen area.
The visa enables free movement in the Schengen area: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden and Switzerland.
The nationality of the non-EU national determines whether or not they are obliged to have a visa. Different types of visa exist depending on the duration and nature of the visit.
The Schengen visa must be requested at the consulate of the country the applicant intends to visit, or, if they intend to visit more than one Schengen state, at the consulate of the country of their primary destination (i.e. main purpose of stay or longest stay). If the applicant intends to visit several Schengen states for stays of equal duration, the visa application must be sent to the consulate of the country whose external borders the applicant will cross first when entering the Schengen area.
As a general rule, the visa application must be submitted in the country in which the applicant legally resides, at a Luxembourg consulate or a diplomatic mission representing Luxembourg. Should there be no Luxembourg consulate in that country and should Luxembourg not be represented there, the application must be submitted to the consulate with territorial competence for visa applications.
The visa application and attached documents must be translated by a sworn translator if they are not drawn up in German, French or English.
Who is concerned
Nationals from certain countries must have a visa to enter or pass through a country in the Schengen area.
Depending on the reason for the visit, they will need:
- either an airport transit visa (Type A visa) to pass through the international zone in airports, but which does not allow travellers to enter the Schengen area;
- or a short stay visa (type C visa) to transit through or stay in the Schengen area for a continued or interrupted period of 90 days at the most during each period of 180 days for the purpose of:
- tourist or family visits;
- business trips (visiting professional partners, negotiating and concluding contracts, etc.);
- participating in conferences (conference speakers and university lecturers) exhibitions, fairs or shows;
- participating in board meetings and general meetings;
- providing services within the same business group, etc.
If the third country national has a residence permit for family members of an EU citizen or a valid residence permit issued by another EU Member State, a visa is not required.
Prerequisites
In any case, the third country national must, before applying for a visa, have a valid passport which is valid for at least another 3 months after the expiration date of the visa applied for.
Costs
| Type of visa | Normal fee |
|---|---|
| Airport transit visa (A) | EUR 90 |
| Short stay visa (C) | EUR 90 |
| Long stay visa (D) | EUR 50 (for all applicant categories) |
Some exemptions apply to certain categories of short-stay visas (C):
- a reduced fee of EUR 35 is granted to nationals of Moldova, Ukraine, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania, Georgia, the Republic of North Macedonia, Armenia and Azerbaijan;
- children between the age of 6 and 12 are subject to a reduced visa application fee of EUR 45.
In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 539/2001 as amended, nationals of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia (excluding holders of passports issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate) holding biometric passports are exempt from the visa obligation.
No visa fee will be charged for:
- children under 6 years of age;
- pupils, students and teachers accompanying them on school trips or educational study trips;
- third country researchers going abroad to carry out scientific research;
- representatives of non-profit making organisations aged 25 years at most who participate in seminars, conferences, or sports, cultural or educational events;
- family members of an EU/EEA national;
- certain categories of nationals of Moldova, Ukraine, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania, Georgia, the Republic of North Macedonia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Cape Verde.
How to proceed
Applying for a short stay visa (C)
Third country nationals who are subject to a visa obligation and who wish to stay in Luxembourg for less than 90 days over a period of 180 days for the purpose of business, family or tourist visits, etc. must apply for a short stay visa (C).
Visa applications should in principle be lodged at least 15 calendar days before the intended visit and cannot be lodged earlier than 6 months before the start of the intended visit.
Holders of a multiple-entry visa may lodge the application before the expiry of the visa valid for a period of at least 6 months.
The applicant must submit a completed and signed Schengen visa application (see 'Online services and forms') in person at:
- the Luxembourg diplomatic mission or consulate in their country of residence; or
- or, failing that, the embassy or consulate of the country in the Schengen area which represents Luxembourg for the issuance of visas.
The application must be accompanied by the following documents:
- 2 recent and identical identity photos;
- a valid passport or a travel document accepted in the Schengen area, which is valid for at least 3 months after the expiry date of the requested visa;
- supporting documents associated with the purpose of the journey, such as:
- a legalised statement of financial support (French, Pdf, 328 Kb) from the reference person in Luxembourg.
It should be noted that the statement of financial support is not mandatory. But it is strongly recommended to submit this document in order to prove that the applicant is financially supported by a Luxembourg resident; - official letter of invitation for a business visit;
- a hotel reservation;
- a return airline ticket;
- a legalised statement of financial support (French, Pdf, 328 Kb) from the reference person in Luxembourg.
- proof of sufficient means of subsistence (bank account statements, cash, credit cards, etc.).
In certain cases, this proof can be replaced by a legalised statement of financial support from a reference person in Luxembourg; - proof of legal residence in the usual country of residence;
- health insurance covering the travel period.
Before sending the financial statement of support to the third country national for whom they are acting as guarantor, the guarantor must:
- have their signature officially authenticated on the form at their commune of residence;
- send the form to the Passport, Visa and Legalisation Office (stay of less than 90 days), together with:
- the last 3 salary slips or a document stating their monthly income;
- a copy of the passport or national identity card;
- if they are a foreign national, proof of lawful residence in Luxembourg;
- a copy of the valid passport of the non-EU national being cared for.
If the application is accepted, the guarantor receives an official stamped copy of the document. The foreign national then has 6 months to use this document to apply for a visa.
The issuance of the visa alone does not necessarily give the right of entry or stay in Luxembourg.
Other supporting documentation, in relation to the purpose of the visit, may be requested.
Decisions on applications will be taken within 15 calendar days of the date of submission. In particular cases, namely when further scrutiny of the application is needed or if the application is submitted to a consulate of a State representing Luxembourg, this period may be extended up to a maximum of 30 calendar days. As an exception, when additional documentation is needed in specific cases, the period may be extended up to a maximum of 45 calendar days.
When the visa is granted, it is affixed in the passport in the form of a visa sticker.
The type C visa allows for stays for a duration not exceeding 90 days over any 180-day period. The visa can be issued for one or several entries, depending on the reasons of stay.
The Schengen calculator may help keep track of the number of days authorised in the Schengen area, based on the travel dates. A user guide for the calculator is also available.
The results shown by this tool are not legally binding.
It does not give the holder the right to carry out a paid activity in Luxembourg. In this case, the person must apply for a type D visa.
Possession of a visa does not confer an irrevocable right of entry. The holder of a visa is required to show evidence, at external borders, that they fulfil the conditions of entry in accordance with the Schengen Borders Code (article 6).
Note that the Passport, Visa and Legalisation Office is competent for visa applications regarding stays not exceeding 90 days over any 180-day period.
Refusal to issue the type C visa
This decision is notified to the applicant by the consulate.
Applicants may lodge an appeal against this decision with the administrative tribunal. The appeal must be filed by a court lawyer within 3 months from the notification of the decision.
The information on possibilities of recourse can be found on the refusal form.
Extension of the type C visa
When applying for a visa extension, the applicant must show that for reasons of force majeure or for humanitarian reasons they cannot leave Luxembourg before the expiry of their visa or the authorised period of stay.
As a rule, the visa can only be extended if the applicant has stayed less than 90 days in the Schengen area, in the course of the past 180 days, and if their current visa is not expired.
The application has to be sent to the Passport, Visa and Legalisation Office.
Note that the Passport, Visa and Legalisation Office is competent for visa applications regarding stays not exceeding 90 days over any 180-day period. For applications concerning a stay of more than 3 months, the competent authority is the Department for foreigners at the General Department of immigration.
Staying less than 90 days and carrying out a paid activity
Third-country nationals subject to a visa obligation who wish to work in Luxembourg during a stay of less than 90 days must apply for a short stay visa (C).
Before submitting their application for a type C visa, third-country nationals must apply for a work permit to the General Department of immigration of the Ministry of Home Affairs, from their country of origin, unless they are expressly exempted by law.
The following persons do not need to apply for a work permit if they are employed for less than 3 months per calendar year:
- staff from fairground attractions, circuses and other travelling establishments;
- workers in the entertainment industry without regular employment;
- athletes;
- invited guest speakers, university lecturers and researchers;
- persons travelling for business;
- persons who intend to stay in the territory to provide services, excluding any services provided under a subcontract;
- persons holding a valid EU Blue Card issued by another Member State.
Online services and forms
Who to contact
Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Passport, Visa and Legalisation Office (BPVL)
- Address:
- 6, rue de l'Ancien Athénée L-1144 Luxembourg Luxembourg
- Phone:
-
(+352) 247 88 300
Monday to Friday from 8.30 to 11.30 and from 13.00 to 16.00
- Email address:
- service.passeports@mae.etat.lu
- Email address:
- service.visas@mae.etat.lu
- Email address:
- service.legalisation@mae.etat.lu
Open Closes at 16.00
- Wednesday:
- 8.30 to 16.00
- Thursday:
- 8.30 to 16.00
- Friday:
- 8.30 to 16.00
- Saturday:
- Closed
- Sunday:
- Closed
- Monday:
- 8.30 to 16.00
- Tuesday:
- 8.30 to 16.00
Immigration Directorate - Department for Foreigners
Ministry of Home Affairs General Department of immigration - Department for foreigners
- Address:
-
26, route d’Arlon
L-1140
Luxembourg
B.P. 752, L-2017 Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 84 040
- Fax:
- (+352) 22 16 08
- Email address:
- immigration.public@mai.etat.lu
Open Closes at 16.00
- Wednesday:
- 9.00 to 12.00 , 14.00 to 16.00
- Thursday:
- 9.00 to 12.00 , 14.00 to 16.00
- Friday:
- 9.00 to 12.00 , 14.00 to 16.00
- Saturday:
- Closed
- Sunday:
- Closed
- Monday:
- 9.00 to 12.00 , 14.00 to 16.00
- Tuesday:
- 9.00 to 12.00 , 14.00 to 16.00
Passport, Visa and Legalisation Office (BPVL-MAEE)
Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Passport, Visa and Legalisation Office (BPVL)
- Address:
- 6, rue de l'Ancien Athénée L-1144 Luxembourg Luxembourg
- Phone:
-
(+352) 247 88 300
Monday to Friday from 8.30 to 11.30 and from 13.00 to 16.00
- Email address:
- service.passeports@mae.etat.lu
- Email address:
- service.visas@mae.etat.lu
- Email address:
- service.legalisation@mae.etat.lu
Open Closes at 16.00
- Wednesday:
- 8.30 to 16.00
- Thursday:
- 8.30 to 16.00
- Friday:
- 8.30 to 16.00
- Saturday:
- Closed
- Sunday:
- Closed
- Monday:
- 8.30 to 16.00
- Tuesday:
- 8.30 to 16.00
Related procedures and links
Procedures
Links
Further information
-
List of countries whose citizens require a visa
on the website of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade
-
Luxembourg diplomatic and consular missions
on the website of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade
-
Travel documents for non-EU nationals
on Your Europe
-
Travel documents for non-EU family members
on Your Europe
-
Family residence rights
on Your Europe
-
Students - residence rights
on Your Europe
-
Jobseekers - residence rights
on Your Europe
-
Présence consulaire des Etats Membres, accords de représentation et formes de coopération prévues pour les demandes de visa, ainsi que réception des demandes de visa par le consul honoraire ou par des prestataires de services extérieurs
Excel • 98 Kb
-
The Schengen visa
on the website of the Council of the European Union and the European Council
Legal references
-
Loi modifiée du 29 août 2008
portant sur la libre circulation des personnes et l'immigration
-
Règlement grand-ducal modifié du 5 septembre 2008
portant exécution de certaines dispositions relatives aux formalités administratives prévues par la loi du 29 août 2008 sur la libre circulation des personnes et l'immigration
