Certification of Pakistani Documents for Belgium
As of 2024, the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs has introduced apostille certification for official Pakistani documents. Consequently, the Belgian Embassy no longer legalizes documents such as police character certificates, educational degrees, transcripts, marriage, divorce, and birth registration certificates, as well as Nikah Namas.
For inquiries regarding the apostille procedure, individuals are advised to directly contact the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs or visit its official website.
Apostille and Legalization for Visa Applications
For long-stay visa applications, all required documents must first be apostilled by the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Click here for further detail. However, different regulations apply to academic documents such as diplomas, degrees, and transcripts. These must be verified by the Ministry of Education, specifically through the Higher Education Commission (HEC) or the Inter Boards Coordination Commission (IBCC). Generally, these academic documents do not require an apostille from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but applicants should check with the Belgian educational institution regarding their admission requirements. The institution retains the discretion to request an apostille if deemed necessary.
Legalization of Afghan Documents
The Belgian Embassy does not provide legalization services for Afghan documents. Any Afghan documents submitted for a visa application will be accepted in the form they are presented.
Translation and Legalization of Pakistani Documents
Official Pakistani documents that have been apostilled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and are intended for use in Belgium must be accompanied by a certified translation. These documents must be translated into one of Belgium’s national languages: French, Dutch, or German. However, documents submitted as part of a visa application in English do not require translation.
Translation Legalization Options
Option 1: Certified Translation in Belgium
This is the preferred option for documents intended for use in Belgium. The translation must be completed by a court-certified translator in Belgium in the language required by the relevant Belgian authority (French, Dutch, or German). These translations are widely accepted by Belgian communes and are also recognized by the Belgian Embassy in Islamabad. A list of sworn translators is available through the Belgian Court of First Instance. For further information, Click here.
Option 2: Certified Translation in Pakistan
For translations into French, individuals may utilize the services of the Alliance Française, which has branches in Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore. Once translated, these documents must be legalized by the Belgian Embassy in Islamabad.
Legalization Process for Translations in Pakistan
To legalize a translation completed by the Alliance Française, submit the following through Gerry’s:
A copy of the original Pakistani documents (with or without the apostille). Note that the original document itself will not be legalized, and no fee should be paid for its legalization.
The French translation from the Alliance Française, which will undergo legalization by the Belgian Embassy.
This legalized translation is generally accepted by French-speaking Belgian authorities, provided it is accompanied by the original apostilled document from the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
At present, Pakistan does not have a recognized institution for certified translations into Dutch. If opting for a French translation legalized by the embassy, an additional translation into Dutch may be required for submission to Dutch-speaking Belgian authorities. For Dutch translations, it is advisable to use a certified translator in Belgium as outlined in Option 1.
For further guidance, applicants should reach out to the relevant Belgian authorities or the Belgian Embassy in Islamabad.
Feasibility
Where to Obtain French Translations for Embassy Legalization?
- Apostille MOFA Lahore, Multan and Islamabad
- Tel: +92 339 2227678
- Email: tap@apostillemofa.com
- Website link: https://apostillemofa.com/
How to Submit French Translations of Official Pakistani Documents for Legalization?
Documents requiring legalization cannot be sent directly to the Belgian Embassy, as they will not be processed. Instead, applicants must submit them through Gerry’s using one of the following methods:
A. Submission from Pakistan via Gerry’s International – Visa Drop Box
Documents must be submitted through Gerry’s drop box service (never via email). A list of Gerry’s/FedEx drop box locations, along with their contact details click here, is available for reference. The required fees must be paid directly at Gerry’s at the time of submission.
B. Submission Through a Representative
Applicants may authorize a representative to submit the documents on their behalf. The representative must carry an authorization letter along with a high-quality copy of the applicant’s passport or identity card for verification. Payment of the required fees must be completed at Gerry’s.
How much the legalization fees per document?
For the standard procedure (excluding submissions from outside Pakistan), the costs are as follows:
- Embassy Fee: €20 per translated document
- VFS Service Fee: €5 per translated document
Where to get the tracking status of legalized documents?
Once the Embassy has processed your documents, they will be returned to Gerry’s along with a QR code. Gerry’s will contact you when the documents are ready for collection. You can check the status of your legalization request and download approved documents by entering the reference number and date found under the QR code on LegalWeb.