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.
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Visa Requirements
- 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 Portugal 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.
Student Visa Process
- Get the Letter of Acceptance from your university.
- Find out where to submit your application.
- 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.