Portugal Student Visa - Eligibility, Requirements and Application

Did you gain admission into a higher university in Portugal and need to apply for a Portugal student visa? Do you want to know the requirements for going to Portugal as an international student? Will you be willing to follow the steps to fulfill your dreams?

Studying in Portugal is a chance for you to live in a foreign country to learn about the richness and cultural heritage of the country and make fresh friends. However, you cannot travel to the country by merely gaining admission into one of its tertiary institutions. It would help if you had a Portugal student visa.

More importantly, you need to know the requirements and how to apply for the Portugal student visa. Not to worry, this comprehensive guide will take care of that. Follow us as we break down the information for you.

Why should you study in Portugal?

Several people dream of studying in Portugal and obtaining the best degree that is widely accepted in the job market. This could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience you wouldn’t want to miss. The country is sunny and beautiful, with rich cultural diversity and history. Besides, it is one of the cheapest countries in Western Europe.

The Portuguese education system is diverse, with several degree programs for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Students can still seek admission to study a technical program in any of the polytechnics to earn a degree. Again, to complete your degree in Portugal, you must be able to speak Portuguese and English. Whatever the case, studying in Europe generally is a worthwhile experience.

Further, suppose you are a national of a non-EU country and seeking admission to a Portuguese university. In that case, you will need a Portugal student visa. But if you are an EU/EEA or Swiss national, you do not need a visa to study in the country.

For international students, the information below will lead you to not just getting a student visa in Portugal but also working as a student.

What are some of the Portugal Universities to apply to?

As an international student, you need to understand the available schools to study in Portugal. That will be the first step before starting your visa application process. When you have been accepted into the university of your choice, you will get your acceptance letter as proof of admission. Some of the best institutions to consider include:

University of Porto
University of Lisbon
Instituto Superio Tecnico
University of Coimbra
Catholic University of Portugal
Universidade Nova de Lisboa, etc.

What Type of Visa do you need to study in Portugal?

There are two types of Portugal student visas you can choose from. Here they are:

Short-term student visa: You can apply for this visa if you want to study a language or a short course of three months to one year.
Residence visa and a residence permit: If you want to study a degree course in Portugal, you need this visa to achieve that. Such a program must be longer than one year to qualify.

Where can you apply for a Portugal student visa?

You must apply for the student visa at the closest Portuguese embassy/consulate in your home country. They can help you with such information as the type of visa and document you need, the application process, and more.

What are the Instructions to guide your Portugal Student Visa application?

For your visa application, the following information is necessary:

Book a visa interview on your country’s Portuguese embassy website.
You need to schedule the consultation early because it may take longer than two months to issue you a visa
Check the visa requirements, again and again, to ensure you are to submit the appropriate documents
Secure duplicates of your files for future use
You may need to conform to some health conditions like taking a compulsory vaccine.

What are the Language Requirements for Studying in Portugal?

To obtain your visa for a Portuguese education, you will need to meet specific requirements: language eligibility. Although the embassy or consulate may not be insistent on the proof, visa officers may request that. It is also essential that you learn at least the basics of Portugal; that can help to quicken the visa process.

In addition, if you study a Portuguese-taught program, you must show proof of Portuguese language proficiency. But for an English-taught program, you must be proficient in IELTS, TOEFL, or C1 Advanced.

What are the Documents to apply for a Portugal Student Visa?

Here is a document checklist for applying for your student visa to Portugal:

Completed application form
Two recent color passport photo
Passport, valid for up to three months after your return home and at least a blank page
Portugal student visa application form
Proof of your application fee payment of around €170
Proof of medical insurance
Letter of acceptance from your proposed institution
Confirmation of financial means to sustain your stay in the country
Valid flight ticket
Proof of criminal records
Proof of housing requirements

How do you apply for a Portugal Student Visa?

You will need to contact the Portuguese embassy in your home country if you want to apply for your student visa. Below is a sketch of the application procedure:

Obtain your letter of acceptance
Locate the place to submit your application. Visit the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website
Book an appointment for your interview with the embassy
Complete the student visa application
Gather the supporting documents for the application
Pay your application fee (online, cash, bank transfer, etc.)
Submit your application on your interview date
Give the visa time to process.
Move to Portugal if your visa application is successful.
In Portugal, book an appointment for your residence permit with the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service. You can work and study in the country with the residence permit, although it requires a yearly renewal.

How long does your Portugal Student Visa take to process?

Processing your student visa to Portugal takes as long as three months. However, this depends on your country, the embassy, and your documents’ eligibility. Moreover, you should start your application once you receive your acceptance letter.

How much does it cost to obtain your Portugal Student Visa?

Here is a rundown of the money you will pay in the process of getting your student visa to Portugal:

Embassy fee for visa application – €90
Payment for the submission of residence permit – €83
Payment for the receipt of residence permit – €72

Note that the fees are not constant. So, you must call the relevant offices to establish the correct prices.

Can my Family Members come with me?

You can bring your family members to Portugal if you are already in the country with your student visa. Besides, you must have enough funds to sustain them while they live with you. Again, not all family members are eligible to come with you. Here is the only set of people you can bring to Portugal:

Your spouse or partner
Your children below 18, plus adopted children, if any
Your dependent adult unmarried children who may be having illness or disability

They can apply to travel with you or through a Portugal reunification visa to come and meet you there. Additionally, your dependent can study and work in Portugal with their dependent or family reunification visa.

Can you remain in Portugal after your Education?

Once you finish your studies, you can apply to stay in the country. But this can only be feasible if you can get a job offer. Besides, you and your would-be employer must meet the terms of a Portugal work visa to help you change your student resident permit to that of work. Ensure to apply for the work permit before your students expire. You must travel back home to apply for the Portugal work visa if it passes.

Can you apply for a Permanent Residency via a Portugal Student Visa?

It is possible to acquire your permanent residency in Portugal. However, the time you spent as a student does not add to it. Hence, you will need to get a work permit and work in a highly-skilled field to qualify. Your work permit is valid for one year. Nevertheless, you can renew it for up to five years. After working in the country for five years, you will be eligible to apply for your permanent residency.

Can you qualify for a Job with your Student Visa?

You can apply to work in any qualifying field with your student residence permit. It allows you to work 20 hours per week during school sessions and as long as you wish throughout the holidays. However, if you are in Portugal for a short course and only possess a Schengen visa, you cannot work.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Portugal student visa cost?

The embassy fee for your student visa is around €90; to submit the application costs around €83, and to obtain the application costs around €72.

Can students get PR in Portugal?

You can apply for a permanent residency in Portugal after living and working in the country for five years. However, your student residence permit cannot add up to five years.

Can I stay in Portugal after studying?

You can remain in Portugal after your studies. Nevertheless, it would help if you converted your study visa to a work visa to qualify you.

Can I work in Portugal with a student visa?

Conclusion

If you must study in Portugal, you need a student visa to enter the country. We have outlined the requirements and processes to help you fulfill this dream. Therefore, you can start the process now.

Portugal Student Visa – Eligibility, Requirements and Application