EnglishStudying in Portugal, where there is a unique atmosphere compared to other European countries, is a lifelong experience. In Portugal, there are leading higher education institutions in Europe and you can broaden your horizons by choosing fields of study that you will not find in your country.
A student visa is suited for anyone studying in Portugal for a period of more than three months.
Along with applying for a student visa in Portugal, you must submit the following documents:
• Valid passport (or travel document)
• Admission letter from your university
• Approvals of tuition payment and scholarships (if you have any)
• A signed document from the university confirming the above
• Two up-to-date passport size photos that meet Schengen photo guidelines
• Portuguese Student Visa Application Form (the Embassy usually provides it)
• Proof that you have sufficient financial means to stay in Portugal, for example bank statements, scholarships, proof of financial assistance or proof of sponsorship.
• Proof that you have accommodation arrangements in Portugal, for example a rental contract, an accommodation contract in the university dormitory or a letter of invitation from family / friends with whom you will live in Portugal.
• Certificate of absence of criminal record
• Proof of Schengen travel health insurance
Once you arrive in Portugal, you will need to arrange suitable health insurance from a private company.
To apply for a student visa in Portugal, you must contact the Portuguese Embassy in your country of residence. At this point, you should already have a letter of acceptance from your university.
The application process:
Receive the letter of acceptance from the university, find out where to submit your application (you can find out through the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website), make an appointment / interview with the embassy, fill out the Portugal Student Visa application form, collect the required documents, pay the student visa fee. Again, the embassy should inform you about the method of payment (online, by bank transfer, cash, etc.). On the date of the meeting, you must submit the necessary documents. If the embassy is in another country, you can send the documents there and wait for a visa. You can travel to Portugal after receiving the Visa.
Upon arrival, you must arrange an appointment with the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) to obtain the residence permit. The residence permit allows you to live in Portugal for the duration of your studies, although you will need to renew it after one year.
The processing a student visa application can take from several weeks to three months, depending on the country of residence, the specific embassy and the validity of the application.
When you apply for a student visa, you must pay a fee at the embassy as well as a fee for a residence permit on behalf of the SEF:
• The embassy fee is 90 euros
• Submission of the application for a residence permit in SEF – 83 euros
• Receipt of a residence permit from SEF – 72 euros
Fees are approximate and can vary from country to country.
To apply for a student visa at the Portuguese Embassy, you must travel to Portugal and apply for a residence permit at SEF. The residence permit for the purpose of studies can be renewed annually until the end of the studies.
The student visa you will receive at the embassy is valid for three months only and can be used for travel to Portugal. During these three months you must arrange your residence permit, after which the permit will replace the visa.
Be sure to apply for a visa renewal / extension at least 30 days before it expires.
Have you already chosen to study in Portugal and experience an international student atmosphere? Have you applied for Portuguese citizenship and you want to take advantage of the waiting time to start studying in Portugal with a student visa?
Contact us now and we will help you with any questions!
