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Study in Portugal

Documents for National Visa

  • Covering letter of Applicant
  • Application form
  • Photo – 35-40mm in width
  • Acceptance admission letter (Unconditional)
  • Proof of paid tuition fees.
    • If you have a scholarship, submit a confirmation document from your university.
  • Study plan or Statement of Purpose(SOP)
  • Proof of 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.
  • Original passport
    • If you have an old passport kindly submit the old passport too.
  • CV/resume
  • IELTS Result ( If applicable)

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  • Affidavit – student oath
  • Mark sheets and certificates ( Apostille)
      • Class 10
      • Class 12
      • Graduation
      • Post-Graduation
  • Birth certificate (Apostille)
  • Gap documents : (If there is any gap after study )
    • job offer
    • salary slip
    • salary account statement

      Documents of Sponsor

      • Bank account statement of last 6 months
        • A bank stamp is required.
      • IT returns of last 3 years
      • Affidavit of support
      • Finacial document (15 lakhs aprox.)
      • Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) ( must be Apostille)
      • Note:
        • The Regional Passport Office (RPO) is part of the ministry of external affairs (MEA) of India.
        • Hence, when a PCC is issued by the RPO, it does not need to be authenticated by MEA with the apostle sticker.
        • https://mea.gov.in/regional-passport-offices.htm
  • Insurance: 30000 Euro
  • Air ticket
  • Visa fees: 90 Euro

Note: To submit a hard copy of all the documents (original + 1 set of photocopy)

Important Points

  • The applicant could be asked for additional documents or may be called for an interview if desired by the embassy of Portugal, New Delhi.
  • The visa fee, according to Schengen regulations, is non-refundable.
  • Carry all documents in original at the time of interview.
  • National visas require the consultation of one or more authorities in Portugal.
  • Therefore the embassy and those authorities require at least 30 working days after the visa is submitted or after the interview (if the same is requested by the embassy) to process the visa application.

  How to apply for a Portugal student visa?

  1. 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:

  1. Get a letter of acceptance from your university.
  2. Find out where to submit your application.
    • You can find out by visiting the website of the Portuguese Ministry of foreign affairs.
  1. Schedule an appointment/interview with the embassy.
  2. Complete the Portugal student visa application form.
  3. Collect the documents needed for the application.
  4. Pay the required student visa fee.
    • Again, the embassy should inform you in regards to the payment method
    • (Online, via bank transfer, cash etc.).
  1. 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.
  1. Wait for the visa to be processed.
  2. If you receive the visa, you can travel to Portugal.
  3. After you arrive, you must schedule an appointment with the Portuguese immigration and borders service (sef).
    • To get your residence permit which 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 procedure.

  • That depends 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.

How much does the Portugal student visa cost?

 When you apply for a student visa, you have to pay a fee for the visa at the embassy as well as a residence               permit from the sef:

  • Embassy fee – €90
  • To submit the application for a residence permit at the sef – €83
  • To receive the residence permit from the sef – €72

Note: the fees are an approximation and may be subject to change from country to country.

Can I bring family members with me?

 If you are in Portugal with a student visa, then you are allowed to bring your dependent family members to live with you.

  • You must be able to prove that you have enough financial resources to provide for them as well as yourself.
  • The family members who qualify for a family visa are:
    1.  spouse or registered/domestic partner.
    2.  minor children (including adopted children).
    3. adult (unmarried) children are dependent on you as a result of an illness or disability.
  • Your family members may apply alongside you and travel to Portugal together,
    • Or they may apply for a reunification visa after you have settled in Portugal.

Duration of a student visa in Portugal

 After you receive your visa at the Portuguese embassy, you have to travel to Portugal and apply for a residence permit at the sef.

  • The residence permit for studying is issued for one year, and you can renew it annually until the end of your studies.
  • The student visa you receive at the embassy is only valid for three months which allows travelling to Portugal.
  • Within those three months, you have to get your residence permit settled, after which the permit replaces the visa.
  • Make sure you apply for renewal/extension of the visa at least 30 days before expiry.

Can I stay in Portugal after my studies?

 You can stay in Portugal once you finish your studies only if you have a job offer.

  • You and your employer must meet the requirements for a Portugal work visa in order for you to switch from a student residence permit to a working residence permit.
  • If you do find a job, you must apply to switch to a work visa before the student visa expires.
  • The sef will not accept your application if it is submitted within 30 days before the expiry of the student visa.
  • If the visa does terminate, you will have to return home and apply for a work visa from your home country.

Does a student visa lead to permanent residency in Portugal?

  •  The time you lived in Portugal as a student does not count towards permanent residency.
  • In order to become a permanent resident, you will have to get a job offer as a highly skilled worker and switch to a (temporary) residence permit for work (work visa).
  • Which is valid for one year and can renew for up to five years.
  • After five years of working on a temporary residence permit, you can apply for permanent residency.

Can I work with a Portugal student visa?

 Yes, if you have a residence permit for studying in Portugal, you are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week.

During the semester and full-time during semester breaks and holidays. If you are following a short course (up to three months) and only have a Schengen visa, you can work.

Eu/EEA/Swiss students can work in Portugal without restrictions.

Can I study in Portugal with a dependent visa?

 If you are in Portugal as a family member of a Portuguese citizen or working resident, then you are allowed to study (and work) in Portugal as well.

Student visa for researchers

  • Another type of student visa for Portugal is the researcher visa.
  • The Portugal researcher visa issues to non-EU
  • Who must be of a doctorate-level study program or as researchers in an officially recognized institution
    • by the Portuguese ministry of education and science.
  • When you apply for a researcher visa, you must have one of the following documents, as related to your situation:
    • Contract of employment
    • Contract of services
    • A scientific research scholarship
    • Hosting agreement