Studying Portugal, one of the oldest and most beautiful countries in the world, should be an amazing experience. In case you have decided to continue your education in this country, you might need a Portugal student visa.
By reading this article, you know whether you need a student visa for Portugal or not, how to apply, its requirements, and FAQs.
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ToggleWho needs and doesn’t need a Portugal student visa?
If you need a Portugal student visa is up to your nationality and the length of your stay. First, determine the duration of your stay in Portugal. It’s up to 90 days or longer than it.
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Portugal Student Visa
EU residents
Look at your nationality. The EU and EEA nationals don’t need a visa to visit Portugal for up to 90 days. It’s true for Portugal student visa. The EU or EEA nationals can study in Portugal for up to 90 days without a visa. However, if they want to stay longer, they have to receive the certificate of registration. It gets called “Certificado de Registo” in Portuguese. The EU nationals need to have health insurance and a passport to stay in the country. Remember that you have to inform the officials of your arrival within the first four months. You can work in Portugal without facing any limitations.
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Non-EU residents
The story for the residents of the non-EU countries is a bit different. First, you need to know that a few countries don’t need a Portugal short-stay visa. If you are among these countries and your study course is up to 90 days, you don’t need a student visa. But if your course is longer than 90 days, you need a student visa and a Residence Permit. You apply for a visa to the Portuguese embassy in your home country. But you receive the Residence permit from the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service inside Portugal.
The rest of the non-EU countries that don’t have a visa waiver program with Portugal need a student visa even the course is up to 90 days.
Now you have the tools to immigrate to Portugal as a Dentist by reading our comprehensive guide.
The types of Portugal student visa
Portugal student visa divides into two types:
Short-term student visa (Type C)
You can apply for a short-term student visa for a course longer than 90 days or doing academic research. You don’t have to apply for a Residence permit.
Long-term student visa (Type D)
When your academic studies last longer than one year, you need a long-term student visa plus the Residence Permit. Providing that you need to stay longer than one year, you can extend the permit.
How to apply for a Portugal student visa?
The application process for a Portugal student visa could be different depending on your:
- Nationality
- The type of visa you need
You might have to follow various procedures based on your conditions. However, a common procedure could be as follows:
1. Do you need a visa?
Before you begin doing anything, determine if you need a study visa or not. The article explained well that not everyone needs a student visa for Portugal. You might be free depending on your nationality and duration of stay.
If you need the visa, follow the below steps.
2. Acceptance letter
First, you need to get acceptance from a Portuguese university. You need to communicate with them and see if you can meet up with their conditions.
When the university accepts you, they provide you an acceptance letter that you need to begin your application process.
3. Where to apply
Now you should find out where to apply for a Portugal student visa. Search through the Internet to find the nearest embassy or consulate. You might have to apply to a visa center authorized by the government. It is up to the country you live in.
4. Application form
When you found the embassy or visa center, download the application form from their website. If the center is near you, you might be able to get the paper form in person.
Complete the application form with the correct form of your information. This is the point that some applicants make unwanted mistakes with. If the provided information doesn’t match with your documents, it will be bad for your application.
When you completed the firm, print, date, and sign it.
5. Visa appointment
Schedule a visa appointment with the embassy or visa center. You could get one through a website or phone call. If you got a receipt by online reserving, print and keep it. You might have to remember the provided information but bear in mind the exact date and time.
6. Requirements
You need to provide some supporting documents during the visa appointment. You can see the list of them in the below section. But you may have to submit more than them. You can start gathering the requirements before the order explained in this article. The sooner you collect everything, the less processing time you will have.
As the embassy or consulate might ask for specific documents, you can ask them or visit their website to see the full list of requirements.
7. Visa interview
Go to the Portuguese embassy or visa center on the set date. Don’t forget to bring all the requirements. You also need to ask the officials how to prepare the requirements. They might require documents in A4 format or some copies.
Try to wear a bit formal outfit. Speaking a bit Portuguese will have a good impression on the interviewer. Some applicants say that the officials evaluate your behavior. Try to look professional but not pretending anything.
Submit the documents when you meet the visa officer. They often give a receipt when receiving documents. Keep it. Then pay the fee for visa processing. You also need to answer a few questions about the purpose of your visit, your background, and future plans. Be honest and give true answers. The fate of your visa is up to this interview. You also need to pay the fee for visa processing. The fee is up to the embassy or visa center services.
8. Processing
Now is the time to wait until the authorities work on your visa. The processing time is different and up to the time of the year, your situation, whether your documents are complete, etc. The officials will inform you if they accept or refuse your application.
9. Residence permit
When you get to Portugal, you have to apply for the Residence Permit. Remember that non-EU nationals have to apply for the permit.
Visit the Portuguese Immigration officials or local city council hall and provide the requirements:
- Application form completed and signed.
- Passport
- Two photos
- Proof to have enough funds
- Proof of accommodation
- Evidence that you have registered with the university or education center
- Proof that you have paid part of your tuition.
What are the requirements for a Portugal student visa?
The requirements for a Portugal student visa could be as follows:
Application form
- Passport
- Acceptance letter
- Proof to have enough funds
- Evidence of reserved accommodation
- Clean record certificate
- Health insurance
- Two Photos
Note: The above list is a general one, and you might have to submit more documents.
Language requirements for Portugal student visa
Portugal student visa doesn’t have any language requirement. However, the university you apply might require your certificate. English or Portuguese proficiency is up to your course and the education center.
If you take a course in English, the officials accept the following language proficiency tests:
- TOEFL iBT
- IELTS Academic
- C1 Advanced
How long is the Portugal student visa valid for?
The Portuguese officials will grant you a visa valid to complete your course. If your course takes longer than one year, you can extend it.
Can you work under a Portugal work visa?
Yes, the Portugal work visa permits you to work. Yet, the time and type of the work depend on your conditions.
For instance, the EU nationals can work in Portugal without any limitations or time limit. The non-EU students have the authorization to work part-time up to 20 hours per week. On vacations, they can work full time.
Portugal student visa cost
The cost for a Portugal student visa is up to the type of visa. A short-stay visa would cost you €60. But you have to pay €99 for a long stay one. The nationals of the below countries can pay €35 for a student visa:
- Kosovo
- Russia
- Georgia
- Ukraine
The prices might be up to change, and you might have to pay more for further services.
Let’s sum up…
When you wish to study in Portugal, you might need a student visa. It is up to your nationality and length of stay. The Portugal student visa comes in two types; short-stay and long-stay.
The article explained who needs a Student visa for Portugal, requirements, the application process, and FAQs.
Go through the menu of the website to know about other Portugal visas or country’s visas.
In case you have some experience or knowledge with visas, share them with us in the comment section below.
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- Max-B.
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