student visa in portugal - Lomelono Travel Solutions

Thinking about studying abroad in Portugal? Thinking about living, studying and working in the EU? If so, you’ve come to the right place! Welcome to Touriago – your one stop destination for queries regarding student visa in portugal.

Regardless of the destination, a well-prepared trip requires planning and research, but this is only half of the trip. Without set-off on time you’ll spend more time than expected on airport and might have to pay additional expenses. If you’re coming to Portugal for study or work purposes, having a Portugal Visa is compulsory in order to enter the country.

Planning a study abroad trip to Europe? Touriago.com will be the perfect place for you to find all the information you need on studying in Portugal! Whether you want to learn Portuguese, study Psychology or Management and no matter which University you choose to start your Erasmus Semester, Touriago will help you with your relocation.

If you’re a student looking to study in Portugal, you might be wondering about how to get the proper visa.

The good news is that it’s not too hard! There are two types of visas that allow students to enter Portugal: the residence permit and the student visa.

The residence permit allows you to live in Portugal as a full-time student. You’ll have to find an accredited school, then apply for your residence permit at the Portuguese Immigration Service (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras) and pay a fee.

The student visa is more temporary, and only allows you to study while in Portugal. It’s easier to get than the residence permit because it doesn’t require proof of enrollment at an accredited school; however, it’s also shorter—you can receive a single-entry visa for up to 90 days or multiple-entry visas that last between one and three years (or even longer).

If you’re interested in studying abroad but aren’t sure how to make it happen, we can help! Touriago offers private tours of Portugal tailored specifically for students who want to learn more about our country before applying for their own visas or applying for university admission here.”

Portugal is a beautiful country to study in, and it’s also one of the most affordable places to live as a student.

Portugal has been one of the top destinations for international students since the 1990s, when it began to offer free or reduced-price tuition to foreign students. The government also offers stipends for international students.

The country has a long history with education, dating back to its founding as a nation in 1143 A.D., with the establishment of the University of Coimbra. In fact, it’s one of only two countries that were early adopters of mass higher education programs—the other being Scotland!

Today there are over 50 public universities throughout Portugal, offering degrees from associate’s degrees all the way up to PhDs in an array of disciplines. If you’re looking for a more intimate environment where you can really get involved in your studies and make lasting friendships with your classmates, then a smaller private university might be right up your alley!

If you’re interested in pursuing an academic career after graduation, Portugal has plenty of opportunities available for those who wish to teach English at language schools across the country or even abroad as part

Table of Contents

Do I Need a Visa to Study in Portugal?

Yes, if your study course is longer than three months, you will most likely need a visa to study in Portugal. The visa rules for international students in Portugal depend on the nationality of the student and the duration of the course:

For a study course longer than three months:
- Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: Student visa required. You will also need a residence permit.
- EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: Student visa not required, but you will have to register your stay with the local authorities.
For a study course shorter than three months:
- Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: A student visa is required only for nationalities who typically need a Portugal Schengen Visa. People from many countries, such as the US., Australia, Canada, can enter Portugal with just their passport for up to three months, during which time they can even take a short study course.
- EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: Student visa not required.

Portugal Student Visa Requirements

When you apply for a student visa for Portugal, you will have to submit the following documents:

Your valid passport (or travel document).
Letter of Acceptance from your university.
Proof you have paid the tuition fees. If you have a scholarship, submit a document from your university confirming it.
Two passport-size pictures, taken recently. They must follow Schengen picture guidelines.
Portugal student visa application form. The Embassy will usually provide this for you.
Proof you have enough financial means to sustain your stay. This can be either bank statements, a scholarship, proof of financial aid, or proof of sponsorship.
Proof you have accommodation in Portugal. This can be a rental contract, accommodation from your university (dorms) or a letter of invitation from a family member/friend with whom you will live in Portugal.
A Certificate of Criminal Records.
Proof of Schengen travel health insurance. After you arrive in Portugal, you will also have to get adequate health insurance from a private company.

Non-EU Nationals

Non-EU/EEA students wanting to study in Portugal will require a student visa and a residence permit for the duration of their studies. International students should visit the Portuguese embassy or diplomatic mission in their home country to make their visa application. Non-EU students must obtain their visas before travelling to Portugal. Your visa application can take anywhere between one to three months to process, so make sure to apply early! Once non-EU students arrive in Portugal, they should book an appointment with the local branch of the Portuguese Immigration and Borders service (SEF) to apply for their residence permit.

There are two types of visas applicable to non-EU international students planning to study in Portugal:

Type C: This short-stay visa is for non-EU students or researchers planning to undertake a course or research project in Portugal with a duration of less than 90 days.

Type D: This visa is for all non-EU students or researchers undertaking studies in Portugal lasting longer than 90 days.

If you apply for any type of visa, like EU/EEA students, you will also be required to apply for a residence permit once you arrive in Portugal. Non-EU students can take up casual employment in Portugal (up to 20 hours a week) and work full-time during holidays or non-study periods.

How to Apply for a Student Visa to Study in Portugal

You can start the visa application process once you have received a letter of acceptance from a higher education institute in Portugal. The process is conducted at the Portuguese embassy or consulate in your home country – you may need to schedule a visa interview on their website, where you can also check the required documentation as it can differ depending what country you’re from.

The documentation that you need for your visa application might entail the following:

Your completed application form (downloaded from the website of your local Portuguese embassy or consulate);
A passport photo in color;
A valid passport that expires no sooner that three months after your planned departure from Portugal with at least one blank visa page;
A letter of acceptance from a Portuguese higher education institution;
Proof that you have the financial resources to support yourself during your stay;
Proof of valid health insurance;
A copy of your travel itinerary to Portugal;
Proof of accommodation, either on campus or privately; and
You will also need to pay a visa application fee of up to 170 EUR.

Always confirm with your local consulate or embassy about the required documentation before submitting your visa application!

Residence Permits

Once you arrive in Portugal with your valid visa, non-EU/EEA students will need to apply for a residence permit which will be valid for one year. After a year, residence permits can be renewed for up to five years at your local SEF office.

The documentation required to apply for a residence permit is as follows:

A completed application form;
A valid passport and photocopy;
Two recent passport sized photos in color;
Proof that you have the financial means to support yourself in Portugal;
Proof that you have adequate accommodation in Portugal;
Proof that you have medical insurance;
Proof of registration at a Portuguese higher education institution; and
Proof that you’ve paid any applicable tuition fees.

How to Apply for a Portugal Student Visa?

To apply for a Portugal student visa, you have to contact the Portuguese Embassy responsible for your country of residence. You must already have the Letter of Acceptance from your university. Here is an outline of the application process:

Get the Letter of Acceptance from your university.
Find out where to submit your application. You can find out by visiting the website of the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Schedule an appointment/interview with the Embassy.
Complete the Portugal Student Visa application form.
Collect the documents needed for the application.
Pay the required student visa fee. Again, the Embassy should inform you in regards to the payment method (online, via bank transfer, cash etc).
On the date of your appointment, you must submit the required documents. If the Embassy is in another country, you may be able to mail the documents instead.
Wait for the visa to be processed.
If you receive the visa, you can travel to Portugal.
After you arrive, you must schedule an appointment with the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) to get your residence permit. The residence permit allows you to live in Portugal for the duration of your studies, although you may need to renew it after one year.

Processing Time for a Portugal Student Visa

It can take anywhere from a few weeks to three months for a student visa to be processed, depending on your country of residence, the specific Embassy, and whether everything is in order with your application. Make sure you start the application process as soon as you receive your acceptance letter from the university.

Conclusion

Portugal is counted amongst the most visited country around the world. There are plenty of reason as to why it is loved by a huge number of international travelers.

Nowadays, many companies and individuals consider a relocation to an European country for the sake of their professional development. Portugal is no exception and it is often considered one of the best options in Europe. Even so, students must prepare themselves for a move to a new country that they may not be familiar with. This brings up several questions and concerns regarding things such as transportation, accommodation, finance, and quality of life. Touriago responds to these concerns by providing students with different services designed to ease the transition into Portuguese life.