What Should One Know Before Applying For A Portugal Study Visa?

By: Emily Wilson

Portugal is the oldest country on the European continent, with impressive beaches and stunning landscapes. If you have plans to migrate to Portugal, then there are many visa categories that you can apply under.

You’ll have to submit an application for a different Portugal Schengen Visa based on if you want to work, study or reside within Portugal forever.
A Portugal Schengen visa is a special permit that allows you to travel among all the countries in the Schengen zone, counting Portugal, for a minimum of 90 days.

Who Is Eligible To Apply For A Portugal Student Visa?

The non-EU, non-EEA, or Switzerland nationals will need to apply for a student visa for Portugal for a short-term study course (less than 3 months). On the other hand, Canada, Australia, and the US nationals are allowed to enter Portugal on their passport for up to 90 days. All through this period, they can pursue a short-term course.

Those belonging to EU/EEA countries or Switzerland do not need a visa to study in Portugal.

What are the Requirements for a Portugal Study Visa

As a foreign national apply for a Portugal study visa, he/she will need to issue the following documents:
  1. A valid passport or travel document
  2. A duly filled Portugal study visa application form
  3. Police clearance certificate
  4. Recent passport-sized photos of the applicant
  5. Letter of acceptance from their respected University
  6. Proof of tuition fees payment.
  7. Proof of possessing enough funds to support themselves during the stay.
Application Process

For submitting a plea for a Portugal Study Visa, you need to get connected to the Portuguese consulate/embassy in your home country. Below are the steps involved in the application process for a Portugal study visa:
  1. Receive the letter of acceptance from the respected University
  2. Find out where to apply. You can do this by simply going on to the official Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs site
  3. Set an appointment or interview with the Portuguese consulate
  4. Fill up the Portugal study visa application form completely
  5. Gather all the essential documents
  6. Pay the visa fees
  7. On the visa appointment date, you need to issue the necessary documents. In case the consulate is in another state, you might be able to mail the docs instead.
  8. Wait until the visa gets fully processed
  9. After the processing, you can get your visa and travel to Portugal
  10. Following your arrival in Portugal, you need to fix an appointment with SEF to attain your residence permit. This permit lets you reside within Portugal for the duration of your course.
How Much Time Does A Portugal Study Visa Application Take To Get Processed?

A Portugal study visa application can take about some weeks to 3 months to get processed. However, the processing time depends on the applicant’s home country and many other factors. Therefore, the applicant must begin the process as quickly as they attain their letter of acceptance from the University.