Approval would be given in such a case but healthcare professionals must then finance the additional dinner and overnight stay themselves as it would be, in principle, reasonably possible to arrive in Paris on the same morning (leaving Brussels via Thalys, for example at 7.30am or 8.15am) and arrive in time for the start of the event (unless a particular reason for not so doing was declared in the visa submission). The same reasoning would apply for other destinations, such as Amsterdam, London, etc.

Arrival and leaving dates must coincide as closely as possible with the opening and closing times of the scientific event. Choosing a direct flight which would mean that the healthcare professional would come back later than if he or she had taken an indirect flight is, therefore, not acceptable unless the indirect flight does not present a reasonable alternative (for example where the indirect flight would arrive at destination in the middle of the night).

This would be acceptable but the healthcare professional would then have to finance the additional cost of the overnight stay and the evening meal him/herself -save for reasonable justification and motivation- as it would have been reasonably possible to return home before midnight. However, if it is not reasonably possible to return home before midnight, an additional night may be approved provided this is properly justified in the visa application.