Student Visa in Portugal: A Complete Guide

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Embarking on a journey of learning in Portugal?

Propel your academic journey with our comprehensive guide to obtaining a student visa in Portugal.

Let’s transform your student life into a Portuguese adventure, solving each query with ease and confidence!

Who Needs To Apply For A Study Visa To Portugal?

If one has decided to study in Portugal, one will need to know if one needs to apply for a student visa. Separate rules apply to individuals depending on the duration of their stay and from which country they belonged.

Individuals’ belongings to the European or EEA countries can apply for something other than a Portuguese student visa. 

Similarly, students from Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland would not need to apply for student visas in Portugal.

Likewise, students belonging to European or EEA states need to apply for a certificate of registration in the local municipal hall if they stay in Portugal for more than 90 days. They must apply for it within 3 months of their stay. 

However, all the students from non-EU and non-EEA countries need a student visa. If they must stay for more than 90 days in Portugal, they would also need a resident permit

Additionally, students from some countries, especially third-world countries, cannot apply for a visa if they have to stay in Portugal for less than 3 months

So, ensure your eligibility by checking the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Portugal website before applying for the student visa.

Where And When To Apply For Portugal Study Visa?

One can apply for a student visa for Portugal at the nearest Portuguese Embassy or Consulate Office. 

Also, the applicant would need to go with their application alone. The applications are not accepted if someone else tries to submit it. 

One should only go to the Portugal Embassy or Consulate after one has ensured the following:

  • If one is eligible for the Study Visa in Portugal.
  • What type of visa does one need? 
  • Completed required documents. 
  • Completed application form.

One should also start applying for the visa as early as possible. At least 3 months before the start of one’s semester in the applied Institution.

What Type Of Student Visas And Study Permits Are Offered By Portugal?

Portugal offers different types of visas to students. Students need to make sure they apply for the right type. The eligibility depends upon three factors:

  • Duration of stay
  • Type of program one is enrolled in.
  • Nationality 

Depending upon the factors as mentioned above, the different types of study visas and student resident permits offered by Portugal to international students have been listed below:

  • Schengen Visa for Short-Term Studies
  • Schengen Visa for Temporary Stay
  • National Visa for Long-Term Studies
  • Students Resident Permit
  • Researcher Resident Permit
  • EU Blue Card
  • Student Exchange Programs

One would need to know every detail of the different types of student visas in Portugal to select the correct type of visa. 

Some of the significant aspects regarding each type of visa that will be helpful for the students to know have been given below:

Schengen Type-C Visa For Short-Term Studies

Schengen visa is usually known as the Type C visa that adheres to people wanting to stay in Portugal on a short-term or temporary basis. 

Students from non-EU and non-EEA countries who have to stay for less than 90 days or 3 months in Portugal to attend conferences or workshops or take short courses must apply for this type of student visa.

This type of visa only allows one to study or work for a maximum of 90 days. Thus, people who want to enroll in more extended study programs like master’s or Ph.D. should not opt for this visa. 

Suppose the US, Canada, and Australia students stay in Portugal for 3 months. In that case, they will not need a Schengen short-term or temporary stay visa because they can also stay in Portugal, like the EU and EEA countries, without worrying about a student visa. 

Schengen Type-C Visa For Temporary Stay 

Just as the name showcases, the Temporary stay visa is for those students who want to stay in Portugal for a brief and temporary while that is more than 90 days but less than 1 year. 

Those students should apply for this type of visa who want to take any courses that may have a duration of at least 3 months and a maximum of 1 year. 

The students can convert this entry visa pass to a temporary residence permit once they get to Portugal.

National Long Stay Type-D Visa 

Students from non-EU countries enrolled in a long-term study program like a master’s and Ph.D. should apply for this type of student visa in Portugal. 

The National Long-Stay Type-D Visa first confirms the student’s acceptance letter in a program at an accredited university in Portugal.

After receiving the admission letter from the esteemed University of Portugal, one must visit the Portuguese Embassy or Consulate with the complete application form to apply for a long-term National Visa.

Students Resident Permit

The students who apply for the National Type-D visa must stay for more than 90 days in Portugal following the duration of the degree they are enrolled in. 

Thus, they will also need a residence card upon arriving in the country. This certificate is known as the Student Resident Permit. This permit is for the students enrolled in Higher education like master’s or Doctoral programs. 

This permit is essential for the nationals of both EU and non-EU states. Owning this permit will allow one to work part-time as a student while taking classes full-time and during the semester breaks. 

Researcher Resident Permit

A Researcher Resident Permit is given to those who have been either enrolled in a post-doctoral research program or are conducting research activities in Portugal. 

Such candidates belong to a highly qualified category. They need to apply for a residence permit from their home country. 

Through this permit, they can get paid research work or work part-time during their research. 

EU Blue Card

EU Blue card is given to those individuals who have received high qualifications from accredited universities in Portugal. After graduation, if they have a confirmed job offer, they become eligible for the EU Blue Card.

This permit allows non-EU residents to stay and work in Portugal and other EU countries. The requirement of this card also entails that the job attained by the non-EU resident must have a high salary.

Student Exchange Programs

Like other European countries, Portugal also conducts regular educational exchange and scholarship programs like Erasmus. It allows non-EU residents to visit Portugal and receive high-quality education while exploring their culture.

How To Apply For a Portugal Study Visa?

There are different steps for applying for a student visa in Portugal. Suppose a person goes through the process of applying for a student visa by following the steps below. In that case, the chances of one’s application getting rejected can be minimized.

So, help yourself by reading through every step described in detail below: 

Getting a University Acceptance Letter

The first step in applying for a study visa in Portugal would be to get admission to an accredited educational institution in Portugal. 

One would need to decide whether one wants to go for a bachelor, master’s, doctoral, or post-doctoral research degree. Some of the famous and most esteemed universities of Portugal include:

  • Catholic University of Portugal
  • University of Lisbon 
  • University of Coimbra
  • University of Porto

Everyone needs to apply for the spring or fall programs of the university of choice. 

As one may need an ample amount of time to complete the visa applications. 

Once the admission letter has been secured, one can begin the visa application process.

Selecting The Type Of Visa

Selecting the correct type of study visa for Portugal is the next step. There are three main types of visas for study purposes. 

One may apply for either of the following visas depending upon the educational program they have chosen to enroll in Portugal: 

  • Schengen Short-term Student Visa
  • National Type D long-term 
  • Residence Visa

Submitting The Visa Fee

By the type of visa, one applies for, one needs to pay the fee for the visa application. 

The receipt of that fee also needs to be attached to one’s visa application. 

For most countries, the student visa cost for Portugal is around 60 to 99 Euros.

Collecting Required Documents

Collecting the required documents is a significant step for applying for a study visa or any visa. One’s application may get rejected if any documents are missing or expired.

The person needs to choose either the Type-C or Type-D visa when applying for a study visa in Portugal. So, the required documents for both types of visas have been shown in the table below:

Required Documents
Type-C VisaType-D Visa
She completed the visa application form with a valid passport.Completed visa application and a valid passport. It needs to be valid for at least 3 months after the estimated return date of the applicant.
Recently taken passport-size photographs.Two recent passport-sized photographs with plain backgrounds. Also, attach thephotocopy of the National Identity card.
Proof of accommodation: If the accommodation has yet to be arranged before the visa application, then the applicant must prove in the application that they have enough finances to afford accommodation for the duration of stay. Proof of accommodation. One can prove that by attaching a rental contract, lease payment receipt, or the owner’s letter with the residence address.
Proof of Finances, which includes the Bank Statement and Credit Card Statement. It must prove that the applicant has enough finances to quickly pay the fee and afford day-to-day living expenses during their stay in Portugal.Proof of Finances. It must include the Bank or Credit card statement for the last 6 months and proof of paid tuition.
Original Acceptance letter from the institute in Portugal where one has enrolled to study.Letter of acceptance from an accredited institute in Portugal.
Challan of visa application fee and a Bank receipt of the paid tuition fee of universityRecord of payment of fees to the university and visa application fee challan.
Clearance certificate from local authorities stating that the applicant has a clear record with no criminal offenses registered.Criminal record clearance letter with a good character certificate from the relevant authorities.
Health Insurance may cover any emergency cost as well as the cost of deportation if needed. Also, attach the health examination certificate.Proof of Health insurance that covers up to 30,000 Euros with Medical examination certificates.

Submitting The Visa Applications

After filling out the application form for one’s study visa application for Portugal and collecting the relevant documents that need to be attached to the visa application, one needs to submit the form and the documents to the consulate or embassy.

First, one must schedule an appointment with the Portugal Embassy in one’s home country. Then, go to their office on the date scheduled.

Attending The Visa Interview

Being called for a visa interview depends on the origin of one’s country. If one has been called for the visa interview, one would need to attend it as it is mandatory. Otherwise, one’s application might get rejected

The visa interview is a simple procedure. One may be asked about one’s reason and purpose for visiting Portugal, the showcased study plan, financial means, and future goals

Awaiting Results 

It usually takes 3 months for the processing of visa application. One will have to wait for the results to be announced patiently. 

As it takes a long time for the application to be processed, one should apply for the study visa as soon as one gets the university admission letter.

Obtaining Resident Permit

The next step after the acceptance of the visa application would be to go to Portugal and apply for a resident permit if one has to stay longer than 90 days. This permit stays valid for one year and can be renewed after one year. 

The permit is usually obtained from the Portugal Border and Immigrant Service Centers or the Foreigners and Border Services. To get a resident permit, one needs to make an appointment online. 

Also, one would need the following documents to apply for the resident permit: 

  • Valid Passport 
  • 2 passport-size photos
  • Proof of Finances
  • Confirmation of Lodging
  • Health Insurance
  • Acceptation letter from Portuguese University 
  • Proof of paid tuition 

In addition to applying for the resident permit card, one would also need to do the following tasks after arriving in Portugal on the study visa: 

  • Opening a bank account 
  • Signing up for Portuguese healthcare 
  • Setting up utilities 
  • Buying a Portuguese SIM card
  • Acquiring a Portuguese tax identification number (NIF) 

The steps mentioned above sum up the whole procedure of applying for a study visa in Portugal. 

Are There Any Language Requirements For Getting a Study Permit in Portugal?

There are no particular or compulsory Portuguese language requirements for any student applying for a study visa in Portugal. 

However, suppose a person is to be enrolled in an educational program being conducted in English at the Portugal Institute. In that case, one may need to present the passing certification in either of the following tests: 

  • IELTS
  • TOEFL iBT
  • C1 Advanced

What Is The Processing Time For Portugal Student Visa?

It usually takes 3 months for the student’s visa application to be processed. The processing time may vary, so that it may take 6 months or even a year. The time variation depends upon the following factors:

  • Nationality. EU applicants will find the processing time to be quicker.
  • If the application is filed at the peak time of the year, it will slow the process.
  • Completeness and complexity of the application.
  • Time taken for background checks and biometric data.

How Much Does A Portugal Study Visa Cost?

The average student visa cost for Portugal is around 60 to 99 Euros. But it may vary depending upon which type of visa the applicant has applied for. 

Different prices of different types of student visas have been stated below:

  • For a short stay, the Type-C visa will cost €80.
  • Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russian nationals pay €35 for short-stay visas. 
  • Temporary stay visas cost around €75. 
  • A temporary resident permit costs €90. 
  • A long-stay student Type-D visa costs €90. 

One would also need to pay a fee of €108 to attain the residence permit application to the SEF office. 

How To Apply For Student Visa With A Spouse To Portugal?

Family members can apply for the applicant’s study visa to Portugal through a group permit. They can also apply separately through the family reunion visa. 

The following members are allowed to join the applicant in Portugal:

  • Spouse 
  • Children under 18 years of age.
  • Adolescents over 18 who are dependent on the applicant.

The spouse and children must apply separately from the applicant and pay a separate fee for visa application and resident permits. 

The validity of documents for the family would be the same as the applicant’s, who is studying in Portugal on a study visa.

Can One Work In Portugal While On Student Visa?

Attaining a resident permit after arriving in Portugal allows one to work part-time and, at times, full-time. 

Students from the EU, EEA, and other affiliated countries like Switzerland can work thoroughly without restricted hours.

Non-EU/EEA students can only work part-time for up to 20 hours per week. However, they are allowed to work full-time during semester breaks and holidays. 

Students on short-term visas cannot partake in any employment. Furthermore, student visa holders must inform the SEF authorities before starting any professional activity.

Conclusion:

Empower your educational endeavors with the right knowledge about Portugal’s student visa. Now, every class, every exploration is a step closer to creating lasting memories in this charming nation. Immerse in the richness of Portuguese academia with the right information at your fingertips

Knowledge Ahead!

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