Student visa
Student visa for Portugal
The student Visa for Portugal is a great opportunity for those who wishes to enrich their CV or create opportunities for the future. There are visa options for those who intend to a course, an undergraduate or postgraduate program, a master’s or a PhD as well as for those who wish to participate in an internship, an exchange program, voluntary work and, in some cases, to even work. In addition, depending on the type of visa, your partner and children will be able to join you in Portugal.
Who can apply for a Student visa for Portugal:
- Non-national foreigner citizens from countries members of the European Union or the European Economic Area or Switzerland who have an acceptance letter from a Portuguese institution and that meet the other requirements.
- Foreigners who have been enrolled for less than 2 years in a higher education program in Europe and wish to transfer their studies to Portugal
- Foreigners who wish to take part in an academic exchange programme, an unpaid internship or a voluntary work experience for a period of under 1 year.
With Student Visa you can:
- Study
- Work
- Reside in Portugal
- Travel around Europe
- If eligible, your partner and children will be able to join you
- Some student visas enable you to request the Portuguese citizenship, after 5 years of legally residing in Portugal
About
Student Visa for Portugal
One of the main advantages of studying in Portugal is that in addition to being a country with excellent academic institutions, it also involves an easier process of adaptation for Brazilian students, for example, compared to other European countries, due to the language, and the diverse visa options available. It is possible to go to Portugal to enrol on a professional course, a master’s or even a PhD. In some cases, it can also provide the authorisation to work.
There is a distinction between the visas for Portugal: the ones for a temporary stay and the long term ones. The temporary stay visas are aimed at academic activities, research or courses that have a duration between 3 months and 12 months. The long term visas are though for academic activities with a duration of over 12 months.
Additionally, on obtaining a long term visa you will be able to request an authorisation of residency to remain in the country, as well as the family reunification of direct family members and even, after 5 years of legally residing in Portugal with residence authorisation, if eligible, you will be able to apply for Portuguese citizenship.
Student visa, Internship and Voluntary work (D4 visa)
This visa is aimed at those who wish to enrol in a postgraduate a master’s or a PhD, as well as, at those who want to participate in an academic exchange programme in secondary education or to do an internship or voluntary work for a period of over 1 year in Portugal. Furthermore, depending on your course it is also possible to obtain authorisation to work.
In order to apply for the student visa, amongst other requirements, you will need to be accepted into a Portuguese institution, as well as have financial resources to be able to sustain yourself and count on a form of accommodation previously reserved.
Student and Mobility Visa (D5 Visa)
The D5 visa is recommended for citizens who do not have European citizenship, but who are already living and have been enrolled in a higher education course in Europe for less than 2 years and wish to transfer their studies to Portugal. In other words, this visa allows mobility to Portugal.
To apply for the D5 visa, you will need to provide proof of the period studied in Europe, as well as evidence of your acceptance into a Portuguese institution. In addition, you will need the financial means to economically sustain yourself and a previously booked form of accommodation.
Temporary stay visa for academic exchange program, internship or voluntary work (E6 visa)
This visa is aimed at foreign students who wish to take part in an academic exchange program, an unpaid professional internship or a voluntary work experience for a period between 3 months and 1 year in Portugal.
The E6 visa can also be requested for the fulfilment of international commitments such as the OMC (World Trade Organization) or International conventions and agreements in which Portugal takes part through the provision of services.
Temporary stay student visa (E9 Visa)
The temporary stay student visa is thought for those who wish to take part in a course with a duration of over 3 months and under 1 year in Portugal. The main requirement to apply is having been accepted or approved in an academic or vocational training institution in Portugal.
How to apply for a student visa to Portugal?
The first step before applying for your student visa is to get ready all documents and forms required for your specific case since the requirements vary according to the visa and the particular circumstances of each applicant. For example, some of the requirements change if you have a scholarship, if you wish to obtain a working permit or if you are underaged among other circumstances. It is important to mention that you will need to authenticate some of these documents, as well as provide payment for the taxes for this service.
After gathering all the documentation, you will be able to apply for the visa at the Consulate or the official application centre in your country. If you live in Brazil, this application will be done at the VFS Global, which is the processing centre of visa applications for Portugal in Brasil. To do this, you can deliver your application and documents via mail or by booking an appointment to deliver them in hand at the VFS Global with jurisdiction over the area you reside. Make sure all the documents are complete and properly filled in and organised since incomplete processes will not be accepted.
Once the application has been put forward, you will be able to follow the status of the application review at the VFS Global or the relevant entity in your country of residence. Once a decision has been made by the consulate or embassy, you will receive an e-mail with the resolution of the application review and you will be able to retrieve your passport at the visa application centre or this will be sent back to you by mail.
How can we help?
We can help you with your student visa application by analysing which visa is more suitable for your case and by assisting you with requesting and issuing the high demand of documents and forms, even those of your partner and children.
When booking an appointment with our team, in addition to helping you prepare the documents required we will offer you guidance throughout the application process as well as with booking an appointment at the visa solicitation centre and, if it was the case, even to request the authorisation of residence.
If you do not meet the requirements of any of the work visas, do not worry! There are various other routes that will allow you to reside in Portugal. Book an appointment with us so we can analyse your case and help you find the best route for you.
