Using a blocked account

If you require a visa to come and study in Belgium or you have to renew your residence permit, you need to provide proof of solvency. In other words, you need to prove that you have sufficient means of subsistence for your study period in Belgium. There are a few options to do so: you have a study grant, you can make use of a sponsor or you can use the blocked account procedure which is an official procedure that has been agreed upon with the Immigration Office and is highly recommended. 

Blocked account amount for academic year 2026-2027:

For 2026-2027, students must transfer 13.300 EUR for a blocked account at Odisee. This equals a monthly amount of 1.100 EUR plus a 100 EUR administrative cost.

Deadline to open a blocked account: 

  • 16 June 2026: non-EEA nationals who have to apply for a visa

Please note that presenting proof of sufficient funds in your own bank account will not be accepted. Only a blocked account, sponsor or attestation of a grant is acceptable.

Geld

How does the blocked account procedure work?

Opening a blocked account for the 2026-2027 academic year

  1. You fill out the online agreement form provided by Odisee. You will not get a response to this, you can immediately proceed to step 2.
  2. You can directly transfer the funds by making use of the payment method of Flywire.
  3. For extra information, you can take a look on the website of Flywire.
  4. Once the payment has been confirmed, you will receive your proof of solvency. Bear in mind that this process can take up to 10 working days.
  5. Odisee will immediately reserve these funds in a blocked account in your name for the duration of your studies. (13.300 EUR = 12 months x 1.100 EUR/month + 100 EUR administrative costs).
  6. Attach your proof of solvency to your visa/residence permit application. 

Upon arrival in Belgium

  1. Set up a current bank account in an EEA country (preferably Belgium) into which an amount of EUR 1.100 will be refunded each month. The first installment will be transferred to you in October.
  2. Send a bank identity certificate (official document with your name and IBAN) to [email protected] 

Renewal of residence permit

  1. All the previous steps are required even if you had a blocked account at Odisee in previous academic years. 
Gelduitwisseling

FAQ

Take a look on the website of Flywire for instructions on how to make your payment to Odisee. 

Odisee has partnered with Flywire to make your payment process for the blocked account funds easier and more secure. Flywire is a trusted platform that allows you to pay in your local currency. If you face any issues with the payment process, please contact Flywire's expert team directly. 

 

We do no longer accept payments by direct bank transfer. You will have to make the payment for the blocked account funds via Flywire. 

In case you fail to arrive on time to start your studies at Odisee, the money will be refunded to the bank account you originally used to transfer them to us. In case of a refund please e-mail [email protected] with the following information: 

  • Visa refusal letter
  • Bank identity certificate
  • Bank account number:
  • Name of the beneficiary:
  • Date of birth and place of birth of the beneficiary:
  • Address of the beneficiary:
  • Name of the bank:
  • Bank address:
  • Swift code:

Kindly note that the administrative fee of 100 EUR is not refundable. 

Please send an e-mail to [email protected] if you require a bank request for the blocked account funds. We will provide you with a bank request by e-mail. This document is not mandatory at every bank. Please only send us an e-mail if this is required from your bank. 

The administration fee amounts to 100 EUR (already included in the EUR 13.300 transfer). This fee is an all-in lump sum and covers all administration costs and services of Odisee with regard to this procedure. The administration fee applies again if you extend an existing blocked account.

No, as the blocked account funds are reserved in your name, no interest is foreseen for the university nor will the funds be used to pay your tuition fee. 

No, Odisee does not have the option to open a blocked account for six months or half an academic year. You will have to open a blocked account for the whole academic year. 

You will receive the first payment of 1100 EUR in October. If you arrive in Belgium already in August or September, please make sure you have sufficient pocket money at your disposal to bridge this period. 

The monthly installments are always transferred on the 25th of every month for next month's payment. On holidays and during weekends transfers do not go through. If the 25th falls on a holiday or weekend you will receive the payment a couple days later.  

For opening a new bank account in Belgium, Odisee recommends one of the following companies: KBC, Revolut or Wise. But feel free to choose any other bank company in Belgium you want. 

 

Opening a blocked account is an official procedure that has been agreed upon with the Immigration Office of Belgium. They aim to ensure financial means throughout your stay, preventing dependence on the Belgian State. It is expected that each year the amount required by law will be increased. This is the minimum amount. Odisee requires a higher amount to open a blocked account. We publish the right amount for the next academic year in February on our website.