If your study program in Portugal lasts longer than three months, you will generally need a visa. The visa requirements for international students depend on their nationality and the length of their course:
For courses longer than three months:
Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: A student visa is required, along with a residence permit.
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: No student visa is needed, but you must register your stay with the local authorities.
For courses shorter than three months:
Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: A student visa is only required for nationalities that typically need a Portugal Schengen visa. Citizens from countries like the USA, Australia, and Canada can enter Portugal with just their passport for up to three months, during which they can attend short study courses.
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: No student visa is required.
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When applying for a student visa for Portugal, you will need to submit the following documents:
A valid passport or travel document.
Letter of acceptance from your university.
Proof of tuition fee payment, or if you have a scholarship, a document from your university confirming it.
Two recent passport-sized photos that meet Portugal’s photo requirements.
The Portugal student visa application form, which is usually provided by the embassy.
Proof of sufficient financial means to support your stay, such as bank statements, scholarship letters, financial aid documents, or sponsorship proof.
Proof of accommodation in Portugal, which can be a rental agreement, university dormitory confirmation, or an invitation letter from a family member or friend you will stay with.
A certificate of criminal records.
Proof of Schengen travel health insurance. After arriving in Portugal, you will also need to obtain appropriate health insurance from a private provider.
To apply for a Portugal student visa, you need to contact the Portuguese Embassy responsible for your country of residence. Make sure you already have the Letter of Acceptance from your university. Here is a step-by-step overview of the application process:
Obtain the Letter of Acceptance from your university.
Find out where to submit your visa application by visiting the website of the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Schedule an appointment or interview with the Embassy.
Complete the Portugal student visa application form.
Gather all the required documents for your application.
Pay the student visa fee. The Embassy will inform you about the payment method, which could be online, bank transfer, or cash.
Submit your documents on the day of your appointment. If the Embassy is located in another country, you might be allowed to send your documents by mail.
Wait for your visa application to be processed.
Once your visa is approved, you can travel to Portugal.
After arriving, book an appointment with the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) to apply for your residence permit. This permit allows you to live in Portugal for the duration of your studies and may need to be renewed annually.
The processing time for a student visa can range from a few weeks up to three months, depending on your country of residence, the Embassy handling your application, and whether all your documents are complete. It’s important to begin the application process as soon as you receive your university acceptance letter.
When applying for a student visa, you will need to pay fees both at the Embassy and to the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) for your residence permit:
Embassy fee: €90
Application fee for residence permit at SEF: €83
Fee to receive the residence permit from SEF: €72
Note: These fees are approximate and may vary depending on the country.
Yes, with a Portugal study visa, you can travel to other Schengen Area countries for short stays (up to 90 days within a 180-day period). Portugal is part of the Schengen Area, which allows you to move freely between 26 European countries.
However, your primary purpose must remain studying in Portugal. You cannot use your study visa to work or stay in other countries for extended periods.
For more information on how to navigate this process and ensure compliance with visa regulations, contact Paramount E Services, the Best Portugal Study Visa Consultant in Jalandhar.
If you have a student visa in Portugal, you can bring your dependent family members to live with you. You must demonstrate that you have sufficient financial means to support both yourself and your family. The family members eligible for a family visa include:
Your spouse or registered/domestic partner
Your minor children, including adopted children
Your adult unmarried children who depend on you due to illness or disability
Your family members can apply for their visas at the same time as you and travel together, or they can apply for a reunification visa after you have settled in Portugal.
After you receive your visa at the Portuguese Embassy, you have to travel to Portugal and apply for a residence permit at the SEF. The residence permit for studying is issued for one year, and you can renew it annually until the end of your studies.
The student visa you receive at the Embassy is only valid for three months and you can use it to travel to Portugal. Within those three months, you have to get your residence permit settled, after which the permit replaces the visa.
Make sure you apply for renewal/extension of the visa at least 30 days before expiry.
You can stay in Portugal once you finish your studies only if you have a job offer. You and your employer must meet the requirements for a Portugal work visa in order for you to switch from a student residence permit to a working residence permit.
If you do find a job, you must apply to switch to a work visa before the student visa expires. The SEF will not accept your application if it is submitted within 30 days before the expiry of the student visa. If the visa does terminate, you will have to return home and apply for a work visa from your home country.
The time you spend in Portugal as a student does not count toward permanent residency. To become a permanent resident, you must first secure a job offer as a highly skilled worker and change your status to a temporary residence permit for work (Work Visa). This permit is valid for one year and can be renewed annually for up to five years. After five years of holding a temporary work residence permit, you become eligible to apply for permanent residency.
Yes, if you hold a residence permit for studying in Portugal, you can work up to 20 hours per week during the semester and full-time during breaks and holidays. However, if you are enrolled in a short course (up to three months) and only have a Schengen visa, you are not permitted to work.
Students from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland can work in Portugal without any restrictions.
If you are in Portugal as the family member of a Portuguese citizen or working resident, then you are allowed to study (and work) in Portugal as well.
Another type of student visa for Portugal is the researcher visa. This visa is granted to non-EU citizens who have been accepted into a doctoral program or appointed as researchers at an institution officially recognized by the Portuguese Ministry of Education and Science.
When applying for a researcher visa, you must provide one of the following documents relevant to your situation:
Employment contract
Service contract
Scientific research scholarship
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