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Russia → Belgium

Migration corridor · visas, permits and flows

From
Russia
To
Belgium
Inflow, 2023 (OECD)
1,794
Change since 2018
+70.9%
Share of all arrivals in Belgium, 2023
1.17%
Inflow 20231,794OECD
Year by year
Data as at 2025
CR<BERUSSIA<BELGIUM<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
RU9<BE9<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<8

Migration from Russia to Belgium

Inflows of nationals of Russia recorded by Belgium; stock of nationals of Russia living there; and acquisitions of Belgium's nationality (OECD).

Inflows by year

1,3892,777200020032006200920122015201820212023
1,3892,7772000200420082012201620202023
Data table
2000579
2001645
2002594
2003610
2004595
2005647
2006760
2007783
2008809
2009810
20102,777
20112,538
20121,754
20131,340
20141,114
20151,098
2016960
2017940
20181,050
20191,114
2020710
2021841
20221,354
20231,794
YearInflowStockAcquired nationality
2024—12,482—
20231,79412,2261,060
20221,35412,0561,047
202184112,349798
202071013,925835
20191,11413,1461,059
20181,05013,260896
201794013,475973
201696014,0751,029
20151,09814,473950
20141,11414,678641
20131,34016,4851,525
20121,75417,8441,439
20112,53818,8121,032
20102,77712,8131,641
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Migrant population

People born in Russia who live in Belgium: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA).

Migrant population by year

5,11610k19901995200020052010201520202024
5,11610k19902000201020202024
Data table
199093
1995151
2000241
20051,313
20105,930
20157,027
20208,436
202410,232
Estimate, 2024
10,232
Share of all international migrants in the destination, 2024
0.44%
Rank among countries of birth, 2024
38
Counted by
country of birth, refugees added
Source: United Nations, DESA Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024 (CC BY 3.0 IGO)Data as at 2024

Belgium's consulates in Russia

Short-stay Schengen (C) visa applications at Belgium's consulates located in Russia.

YearApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
20241,4331,322835.8%
20232,4512,12033113.5%
20221,9721,62227814.1%
20212,2341,74527412.3%
20203,6533,4041604.4%
201915,11914,4675613.7%
201813,85913,2134653.4%
201712,85112,2853152.5%
201611,88711,6092332.0%
201515,02814,2993482.3%
201418,45617,7557604.1%
201321,80320,0851,1985.5%
201222,76719,8752,2369.8%
201123,08520,1102,97512.9%
201021,71019,5152,20210.1%
200919,41717,9451,4757.6%

Applications by year

12k23k2009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
12k23k200920122015201820212024
Data table
200919,417
201021,710
201123,085
201222,767
201321,803
201418,456
201515,028
201611,887
201712,851
201813,859
201915,119
20203,653
20212,234
20221,972
20232,451
20241,433
Source: European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2024

Residence permits in Belgium

First residence permits issued by Belgium to citizens of Russia (Eurostat).

First permits by reason, 2025
  1. Other reasons425
  2. Family289
  3. Education96
  4. Work78
YearFirst permitsEU Blue CardsCitizenships acquiredStudents
2025888500
20248126951270
20231,227131,060284
202298171,047312
20211,0399798316
202079610835302
20191,00861,05943
20181,0485896180
20179893973302
20161,12151,029287
20151,1631950213
20141,2230641264
20131,06221,525273
20121,35201,4390
20111,67901,0320
20102,02001,6410
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)30
  2. Other paid activities30
  3. Researchers13
  4. EU Blue Card5
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
9,734
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
758
Changed status into work, 2025
42
Source: Eurostat (migr_resfirst, migr_resbc11, migr_acq, educ_uoe_mobs02, migr_eirfs, migr_pop1ctz), CC BY 4.0Data as at 2025

Embassy and consulates

Missions of Belgium in Russia, as recorded in Wikidata. Details change; the mission's official website is authoritative.

MissionCityOfficial website
EmbassyMoscowrussia.diplomatie.belgium.be
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Compared with other corridors

Nationalities with the most arrivals in Belgium, 2023; Russia ranks 22.

Inflows to Belgium, 2023
  1. Romania12,889
  2. Ukraine11,972
  3. France11,830
  4. Netherlands7,385
  5. Spain6,420
  6. Morocco6,155
  7. Türkiye6,119
  8. Italy5,642
  9. Syria5,496
  10. Portugal4,398
  11. Palestine4,001
  12. Afghanistan3,934
Other destinations for people from Russia, 2023
  1. Israel33,116
  2. Türkiye28,314
  3. Germany26,720
  4. Spain21,617
  5. South Korea17,550
  6. United States12,910
  7. Netherlands5,160
  8. France5,035
  9. Portugal4,893
  10. Italy4,633
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more