Portugal Visa

Long-stay

When you seek to stay in Portugal for longer than 90 days, your stay is long. Almost every country in the world needs a Portugal visa for long stays. The EU and Schengen Area members can enter Portugal without a visa, but they need a Residence Permit for long stays.

The purpose of your visit

You might visit Portugal for a short term, but need to apply for a visa. For instance, if you wish to work in the country, you have to apply for a work visa. The national law does not permit you to work without a visa. However, your nationality is a determining factor.

What are the Requirements for a Portugal visa?

The Portuguese officials need supporting documents for a visa. They are the supporting documents to prove the applicant’s eligibility. Each visa has different requirements. However, the standard list of Portugal visa’s requirements are as follows:

Application form

The focal point of the application process is the application form. Remember, the application form for a short and long stay is different. You need to complete the right form.

The embassy or consulate of Portugal provides the application form. You can download it from its website.

Passport

Your passport to enter Portugal must be valid for over the date you will leave it. It may not be older than ten years. Having one blank page to stick the visa is mandatory.

Photo

Two photos of you are needed. They must be identical, with a clear white background, and not older than three months. Remember that the officials won’t accept printed or a copy form of photos.

Insurance

You need to buy insurance for your trip to Portugal. It must be valid in Portugal and the entire EU/Schengen countries. It must support your medical expenses for 30.000 EUR.

Proof of accommodation

How long will you stay in Portugal? Where will you stay in this period? Make it clear to the officials the place you will stay. You could provide a rental agreement or a receipt for a hotel reservation.

Proof to have enough funds

The Portuguese officials need to ensure that you have enough funds for your trip. It varies by the nature and duration of your trip. For instance, a bank statement could prove you possess the financial means.

Minors

If your minors travel, you need to provide documents for them. For instance, a Birth certificate is among them.

Requirements based on job status

You need various requirements based on your employment status.

Employed

• Contract of employment
• Bank statements for the latest six months.
• Permission leave from the employer.
• Income Tax Return (ITR)

Self-employed

• Business license
• Bank statements for the latest six months.
• Income Tax Return (ITR)

Note: The mentioned documents are not a definite list of requirements. They vary by the type of visa you apply for. Also, the authorities could require further documents. It is up to your case and officials’ decisions.

Different types of Portugal visa

Portugal has different types of visas. Each one of them suits a different purpose. By reading them, you figure out is it appropriate for you or not.

Portugal student visa

The high standard of education and the energetic vibe of the country attracts many foreign students to Portugal. If you need a Portugal student, visa or not is a matter of:

• Your nationality
• The length of your course

A few countries and states don’t need a Portugal short-stay visa. For instance, the EU and Schengen Area members are among them. So it is with the student visa. They don’t need a student visa for up to 90 days. But they have to register with the local authorities if staying longer than 90 days.

The non-EU nationals who are not exempt from visas have to apply for a Portugal student visa. If they need to stay longer, they have to apply for Residence Permit as well.

Portugal work visa

If you want to get a job in Portugal, you might need a work visa. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality.

The citizens or nationals of EU and EEA countries don’t need a Portugal work visa. They can enter the country, work, or look for a job. However, they need a Residence Permit to stay longer than six months.

Almost all non-EU nationals need a Portugal work visa. The first requirement is to have a job offer from a Portuguese employer. You may not apply for a work visa without the job offer.

Portugal family visa

The family visa also gets called a spouse visa. It permits the Portuguese to bring their non-EU spouse or partner to the country. Bear in mind that the situation is different for EU nationals.

Not everyone is eligible to apply for a Portugal family visa. The non-EU citizen has to fulfill the eligibility principles. For instance, financial independence is one of them. The couple must have enough money to cover their expenses in Portugal.

Portugal tourist visa

Portugal is a country with lots of tourist attractions and beauty. Its endless sunny beaches attract millions of tourists.

If you want to visit Portugal, you might need a tourist visa. It is a matter of your nationality. The EU, EEA, and Switzerland nationals don’t need a tourist visa for Portugal. So it is with the countries that don’t need a Schengen visa. For instance, the American, Canadian, Japanese, and Koreans don’t need a tourist visa for Portugal. Determine that you need a Schengen visa or not. If no, you don’t need to apply for it.

Bear in mind that the top validity of a tourist visa is 90 days. If you need to stay longer, apply for a different type of visa.

To know more about Portugal tourist visa, visit this article.

Portugal business visa

You are going to expand your business in Portugal. A business meeting with a Portuguese company, visiting industries, or something like this. It sounds promising, but you might need a business visa.

The Portugal business visa is the Schengen business visa. It permits you to visit the country for up to 90 days. Under the business visa, you may negotiate business deals, sign contracts, deals, etc. You may not work under a Portugal business visa. You just may visit the country with a business intention.

To get more information on Portugal business visa, visit Schengen business visa article.

Portugal start-up visa

You hold an innovative business idea and wish to implement it. You need a country that welcomes people like you. Portugal attracts entrepreneurs from all around the world who want to start a new project or company.

You can easily apply for a Portugal start-up visa and practice your plan in the country. Yet, your company or plan must be productive. The officials require it to create jobs for the Portuguese. The good news is that you can apply for a start-up visa online at any time of the year.

Portugal investment visa

Portugal investment visa or investor visa also gets called Golden visa. It is one of the most favorite visas in Europe. You can move to the country if you invest an amount in the country. The investment fund is different for each type of investment. For instance, 500.000 EUR in real estate or one million EUR in a Portuguese company.

Your investment in Portugal could be:

• Buying real estate.
• Investing in the market or a company
• Create employment for the Portuguese.

Portugal retirement visa

People who get retired can apply for a retirement visa and move to Brazil to enjoy their retirement. The visa allows them to stay in Portugal for the long term and enjoy a quiet fun life.

How to apply for a Portugal visa?

The application process for Portugal visa might be a little different for each type of visa. You could also go through various procedures by your nationality. Yet, the standard application process is as follows:

1. Application form

The first phase is to complete the application form. Depending on the visa, you might have to complete the online or a printed form.

Complete the form with care. The provided information must be the same as your documents. Then print, date, and sign the form.

2. Requirements

You need to provide some supporting documents to the officials. They are the requirements and vary for each visa.

You can see a general list of requirements for a Portugal visa above. But, it is not complete and varies for each visa. Also, the Portuguese officials might require further supporting documents. You need to be extra careful and pay attention to details.

3. Schedule visa appointment

Now you have to find where to apply for the Portugal visa. It could be the embassy of Portugal or a visa center.

Schedule a meeting with the center in your home country. The way to get the meeting depends on the center. For instance, you could get one by phone call or through their website.

Keep in mind the exact date and time of the meeting. You have to get there in person.

4. Attend visa meeting

Go to the embassy at the exact time. Try to get there a bit early. Being late is a negative impression. You are not forgetful, bring all the gathered requirements. You need to submit all of them to the officials.

Then you need to pay the fee for your visa processing. The fee is subject to change. It is also different for each visa.

Last but not least step with the embassy is an interview. The authorities will ask about the purpose of your visit and your background. Be honest with them and give true answers. The purpose depends on the type of visa and could be work, study, or visiting friends and family.

5. Processing

After leaving the embassy, wait until the officials process your visa. It takes them some time to work on your application to issue the visa. If the embassy requires further documents, the processing time will be longer.

When your visa is ready, the authorities will inform you to pick it up.

6. Getting to Portugal

When you get to Portugal, you might have to receive a Residence Permit. Visit the local authorities to know how to apply. The Residence Permit is when you need to stay longer than 90 days in the country.

Let’s sum up…

This article is your guide to Portugal visas. It will help you to find the visa that is appropriate for you. You find the visa that suits you, pick it from the left sidebar, and find out more about it.

The text also covered the general requirements and the application process for a Portugal visa.

In case you seek to know about other country’s visas, go to the home page of the Visa Library.