Family and Friends Visa

Family/Friend visit visa and tourist are exactly the same: Visa C
The only difference is the document to give in your file.

You should NEVER pay anything before doing a Schengen Visa (except if you're already a trusted tourist that already had previous visa C and won't be denied).
Booking is enough!


Your passport should still be at the embassy. Unless further investigation are needed because you gave them fake papers / fraud / else


If it's your first attempt to get a Schengen Visa and if your application has been forwarded to the immigration for review, chances are high that you'll be denied, through not 100%.
Embassies don't forward files that looks good, so you might have done a mistake.


Yes, your application can be accepted after the planned date.
Then you'll be able to ask the same duration up to 3 months after the day it has been approved, and you'll have to give them a valid flight ticket.

well called the embassy today and according to them, every application from my country get sent to the immigration office. and my contact in Belgium called and they said there is nothing wrong with the papers, frauds or whatever.
and yeah hopefully it gets accepted within the date can't afford new plane tickets.