Portugal Visitor Visa Guide
Portugal, with its splendid weather, stunning beaches, picturesque landscapes, and welcoming people, has become an attractive destination for individuals seeking to settle in a new country. The Portugal visitor visa offers a gateway to this beautiful nation, allowing you to reunite with family and friends and explore all that the country has to offer.
Understanding Portugal Visitor Visa
What is Portugal Visitor Visa?
Commonly referred to as the Portugal Schengen visitor visa, this permit grants entry to Portugal if you have received an invitation from a family member or friend residing in the country. As a type of Schengen short-term permit, it allows stays of fewer than 90 days within a 180-day period. Depending on your travel plans, you can obtain this visa as single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry.
How to Apply for Portugal Visitor Visa?
The specific application process for the visitor category depends on your jurisdiction. However, the Portuguese diplomatic mission in India has outsourced most of the application process to Visa Application Centers (VACs).
Applications for residents of Goa, Maharashtra, UTs of Daman & Diu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli: These individuals must apply to the Consulate General of Portugal in Goa.
Applications for residents of all other states and UTs: Applicants should submit their applications to the Embassy of Portugal in New Delhi.
To initiate the application process, you must first ensure that you are eligible as a visitor and gather all the necessary documents. Afterward, you can proceed as follows:
At the Consulate General of Portugal in Goa:
Visit the online visa application portal of the Portuguese Republic.
In the application form, select the consular post as the ‘Consulate General of Portugal in Goa.’
Complete the application form with all relevant details, specifying the purpose of the visit as ‘visiting family/friends.’
Choose your preferred consulate appointment date and time within the same application form. If you reside in Maharashtra, you can schedule the appointment at a VAC in Mumbai or Pune by visiting their website. Ensure that this date matches the one mentioned during your online application.
Visit the designated appointment center with a printed copy of the completed application form, booking confirmation, and all required documents. You will also need to provide biometrics and pay the necessary fees.
At the Embassy of Portugal in New Delhi:
Visit the website of the Embassy of Portugal and download the Schengen application form.
Complete the form with all relevant information, specifying the purpose of the visit as ‘visiting family/friends.’
Proceed to book an appointment at one of the VACs located across India by visiting their website.
Visit the appointment center with the application form, appointment confirmation, and all required documents. You will also need to provide biometrics and pay the applicable fees at the center.
It’s important to note that if you have submitted biometrics for a Schengen visa within the past 5 years, you are not required to submit them again. Additionally, always ensure that you provide genuine documents and accurate information, as submitting fake documents or false information can result in a Schengen visa rejection.
Eligibility for Portugal Visitor Visa
To be eligible for the Portuguese visitor permit, you must meet the following key conditions:
You must reside in the country where you are applying for the visa. If you hold a residence permit in another foreign country, you may apply to the corresponding visa authority in that country.
You must possess a valid passport that meets all regulations, including having at least 2 blank pages, not being older than 10 years, and being valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel. Attach any old passports if applicable.
Your sole purpose for the visit must be to reunite with relatives or friends residing in Portugal, and you must have an invitation from them.
You must have sufficient funds to cover all your expenses during your entire stay in Portugal.
You should apply for the permit if Portugal is your sole destination, if you will spend the majority of your time in Portugal among multiple Schengen destinations, or if Portugal is your port of entry into the Schengen region.
Documents Required for Portugal Visitor Visa
Based on the requirements of the Portuguese Republic, here is a list of documents you must provide for your Portugal visitor visa:
A Valid Passport:
- Your passport must have at least 2 blank pages.
- It should not be older than 10 years.
- It should be valid for at least 6 months from your travel date.
- Include any old passports if you have them.
Invitation Letter and Proof of Sponsorship:
- An invitation letter from your relative or friend living in Portugal, along with proof of sponsorship.
Residential Proof of Sponsor in Portugal (if applicable):
- Rental contracts, salary payslips, or other documents that establish your sponsor’s residence in Portugal.
A Covering Letter:
- This letter should include your basic details and the source of your funds.
- Clearly state the purpose and duration of your visit.
- Address the letter to the Embassy of Portugal or Consulate General of Portugal.
Proof of Accommodation:
- Evidence of your accommodation, such as hotel bookings, an invitation to stay, or residence bookings.
Round-Trip Flight Bookings.
Medical Travel Insurance:
- Coverage for medical expenses up to at least 30,000 Euros.
Proof of Occupation:
- Evidence of your occupation, such as an employment letter or a copy of your business license.
Financial Documents:
- Financial records such as bank statements from the past 3 months, a passbook copy, and income tax return (ITR) documents.
Photo Specification for Portugal Visitor Visa
- Photo dimensions: 35mm X 45mm.
- Color: Colored.
- The head should be centered.
- The photo should have been taken within the last 3 months.
- Background: Solid, plain white, or grey.
- 80% face coverage.
- Neutral expression.
- Non-thick framed and prescription glasses are allowed.
- Headgear is allowed for religious reasons.
- Facial hair is permitted.
Processing Time for Portugal Visitor Visa
The processing time for the visitor permit depends on factors such as validity, the number of entries, the volume of applications at the embassy or consulate, and your previous travel history. Typically, it takes around 15 working days, but in some cases, it can take up to 30 days or even up to 60 days in exceptional circumstances. Therefore, it is advisable to apply well in advance of your intended travel date.
Portugal Visitor Visa Fees
The application fees for the Portuguese visitor permit are subject to currency exchange rates and embassy policies. The embassy reserves the right to change fees without prior notice. In addition to the application fee, there may be biometric charges, delivery charges, and service charges imposed by the VAC. Therefore, it is essential to confirm the exact amount before beginning your application.
Sample fee details for multiple-entry normal visitor visas (90 days, 3 months validity) include:
- Multiple entry Normal Visitor Visa: ₹6,806.0
- Multiple entry Normal Visitor Visa: ₹6,806.0
- Multiple entry Normal Visitor Visa: ₹9,355.0
- Multiple entry Normal Visitor Visa: ₹9,355.0
- Multiple entry Normal Visitor Visa: ₹6,806.0
- Multiple entry Normal Visitor Visa: ₹6,806.0
- Multiple entry Normal Visitor Visa: ₹6,806.0
- Multiple entry Normal Visitor Visa: ₹6,806.0
- Multiple entry Normal Visitor Visa: ₹6,806.0
- Multiple entry Normal Visitor Visa: ₹6,806.0
- Multiple entry Normal Visitor Visa: ₹6,806.0
- Multiple entry Normal Visitor Visa: ₹6,806.0
- Multiple entry Normal Visitor Visa: ₹9,355.0
- Multiple entry Normal Visitor Visa: ₹9,355.0
After Submission
Once you have submitted your application, it will be forwarded for processing. If you applied at a VAC, they will send it to the respective diplomatic mission for processing. It’s important to note that the VAC only handles the administrative aspects of the applications.
Once your visa is approved, you can collect your passport directly from the VAC, embassy, or consulate. Alternatively, you can opt for delivery to your specified address, subject to an additional delivery charge.
How to Check Visa Status?
To check the status of your Portugal visitor visa application:
- If you applied to the Consulate in Goa, visit the online portal of the Portuguese embassy and log in using your username and password.
- If you applied at a VAC or the Embassy in New Delhi, check your application status by entering your reference number and date of birth on the respective website.
When You Have This Visa
After successfully obtaining the visa, consider the following points to ensure a smooth and trouble-free trip to Portugal:
- Check the visa’s expiry date, duration of stay, and number of entries mentioned on the visa sticker, and adhere to these conditions during your travel and stay.
- Ensure that you carry all your travel documents with you while traveling to Portugal, as entry may be denied without them.
- Travel to Portugal within 6 months of the visa issue date or as specified in the Schengen visa sticker. After this period, the permit becomes invalid, and you cannot enter the country.
- Keep a copy of your travel documents with you at all times while traveling within the country.
- While on a visit to friends or family, you are not allowed to engage in paid work. You may be permitted to participate in unpaid volunteer or charity work.
- Under normal conditions, you cannot extend this permit. You must leave the country before its expiry.
- You can move freely within the Schengen zone with the visitor visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Under normal conditions, the Portuguese visitor permit cannot be extended, as it is a Schengen short-term category. However, in certain extreme cases, such as Force Majeure or other humanitarian reasons, an extension may be granted. In all other cases, you must leave the country before the permit expires.
If you exceed the expiry date of your Portuguese visitor permit, you are not allowed to stay any longer. It is expected that you leave the country before the exact date of expiry. Staying beyond this period is considered illegal and can lead to deportation or, in certain cases, a ban from entering the Schengen zone.
Since the visitor visa is issued only for a short stay of fewer than 90 days, there are no mandatory medical test requirements. However, long-term categories and residence permits may require medical tests according to their specific requirements. Regardless, it is advisable to undergo a health checkup before traveling abroad.
No, it is not possible to convert any of the Schengen short-term permits into another type of visa. Additionally, you are not allowed to engage in paid work while on this permit. If you require a work permit, you must apply for one once you return to your home country.
Yes, you are permitted to travel to other Schengen countries with your visitor visa. While your family or friends may be in Portugal, you are free to move around the Schengen zone. Portugal, as a Schengen country, has a visa-free agreement with other Schengen countries. However, your travel is restricted to European countries that are also part of the Schengen zone. Some non-European countries, such as Croatia, also allow entry with a Schengen visa.
- Since it typically takes around 15 working days to process a visitor visa application under normal conditions, it is recommended that you apply at least 15 days before your travel date. However, you are not allowed to apply more than 3 months before your intended travel date.
Conclusion
