United States Visa RequirementsFor Belgium passport holders

Belgium has been part of the US Visa Waiver Program since 1991. The two countries are longstanding NATO allies, and Brussels hosts both NATO headquarters and the EU institutions that coordinate much of the transatlantic relationship. Belgium and the US maintain robust trade and diplomatic ties, and there is a notable Belgian-American diaspora in cities like Chicago and Detroit. Brussels Airport (BRU) offers direct connections to multiple US gateways. If you hold dual Belgian and non-VWP nationality, use your Belgian passport when applying for ESTA.

Brussels Airlines flies nonstop from Brussels (BRU) to New York (JFK), Washington (IAD), and Boston (BOS). United, American, and Delta also serve BRU with transatlantic routes. For other US cities, connections via Amsterdam (AMS) with KLM or Frankfurt (FRA) with Lufthansa are convenient.

The US uses the US Dollar (USD). Cards are universally accepted, including contactless. Tipping is a firm social expectation in the US: 18-20% at restaurants, $1-2 per drink at bars, a few dollars for taxis and hotel housekeeping. Unlike Belgium where service is included in the bill, in the US it is not. Notify your Belgian bank before travel to avoid card blocks from fraud detection.

Apply for ESTA at least 72 hours before your flight. Carry proof of your return or onward ticket. The 90-day stay limit cannot be extended: plan your itinerary accordingly. At US customs, declare all goods and any cash over $10,000. Belgians traveling for business should note that business meetings and conferences are allowed on ESTA, but any form of paid employment is not.