Proof of solvability for self sponsored students
When applying for a study visa and when you do not have a scholarship, you will have to prove to the Belgian Authorities that you have sufficient financial means to sustain yourself during your stay in Belgium. If not, no visa will be issued. The minimum living wage per month in Belgium is € 720, which is very few to sustain yourself in Belgium and Europe in general, but is sufficient to get a visa for Belgium – please do inquire at the embassy in your country what they accept as minimum. To have an idea on what it costs to live in Belgium, click here.
There are several possibilities to prove that you have sufficient financial means, but if you do not have a scholarship and to avoid financial problems during your studies, we strongly advise to make use of the solvability account of Ghent University.
What is this?
You open a personal account at Ghent University on which you or your sponsor/donor pays a minimum of 12 months living allowance with a minimum of € 720 per month (€ 8640 in total for one year) for your living expenses (food, accommodation, clothes, books, lecture notes,…).
Once you are in Ghent, the university will pay you a monthly living allowance on your Belgian bank account.
More info can be found here.
What should you do?
Contact solvencybama@ugent.be and inge.dehennin@ugent.be. Inform her that you want to open a solvability account as a self-sponsored student at Ghent University for IMaNema and attach your admission letter to the e-mail. You will receive further instructions via e-mail. Once you have transferred the money, a proof of solvability will be sent to you to start your visa application.
After your arrival in Ghent, you should also pay your tuition fee and summer course travel fee.
If you succeed the first master year, a second transfer should be made in your solvability account in order to prolong your stay permit in Belgium.