Now you might wonder – is it possible to apply for a Portugal visa online? This question comes to mind especially when you want the most convenient way to apply for the Portugal visa application.
The good news is that Portugal recently launched an e-visa platform, making the application process smoother than ever.
No more scrambling for appointments or getting lost in a maze of documents. With the e-visa system, you can apply for your Portugal visa from the comfort of your own home, entirely online.
But what exactly does the e-visa process entail? How can you streamline it for maximum efficiency? Let’s talk about what the process demands and how to make the process efficient for you.
Is It Possible to apply for a Portugal Visa Online?
As we just said, you can now submit your entire application for the Portugal Schengen visa online. The new Portugal e-visa platform was a recent addition to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs New Consular Management Model. It was created to provide a fully digital system for the visa application process.
Portugal e-visa 2024 platform
The Portugal e-visa platform boasts numerous innovative features. This includes a slot to download and fill out the visa application form. Then you’ll have the opportunity to upload the following general documents required for your Portugal e-visa application:
- Your passport
- Passport-size pictures
- Travel health insurance
- Your travel itinerary
- Proof of financial support
- Letter of invitation from sponsors (if needed)
- Proof of accommodation in Portugal
Other features you can enjoy on the new e-visa portal include:
- Single registration
- Password change
- Modifying personal data
- Access to the history of all your visa requests
- Questionnaire to determine the type of visa you need
- Possibility of attaching documents to your visa application.
How to Register on the Portugal E-visa Application Platform
The most amazing thing about the Portugal e-visa application is that you only need a single login. That way you can track your applications. All you need to do is sign up to get started with your application. Once you sign up and log in, you can then conveniently view, and download the application form right away. As said earlier, the platform allows you to attach your necessary documents right away. To register, follow the steps below:
- Visit the Portugal Ministry of Foreign Affairs official website
- Register using your e-mail
- Receive a confirmation code from your e-mail to activate your account
- Next, click on “apply for a visa” and enter your personal information to determine the visa you need.
- Download and fill out the application form with your personal information
- Upload the application form alongside all necessary documents
- Click submit
Portugal e-visa status tracking
Besides applying for your e-visa, you can also track the status of your application. Using the online route also allows you to modify your application when necessary. And right now, your application would go through four stages: “registered application”, “application under examination”, “application granted or refused” and “visa issued”.
Depending on your application you might also need to book an appointment after submitting your application. This is because, despite the convenience of online applications, there are still some in-person requirements.
For instance, you’ll need to go with the originals of some of your documents in person to the embassy/consulate or designated visa application center where they would be reviewed. Your in-person appointment would also demand that your fingerprints, and photographs be taken as well. Read this article to discover countries with the easiest routes to citizenship.
Types of Visas You can Apply to Using the Portugal E-visa Platform
So, now you know the answer to the question; “is it possible to apply for a Portugal visa online”, the next step is the type of visa available.
Presently, as long as your country allows you to apply for the Portugal visa online, you can apply for just about any visa there. This includes:
- Short-Stay Visas (Schengen): Valid for up to 90 days, ideal for tourism or short business trips.
- Temporary Stay Visas: Allow stays for up to a year for activities like studies, temporary work, research, or volunteering.
- The D2 visa: This long-stay visa is for entrepreneurs, especially if you’re looking to establish a business in Portugal. There’s also the Startup visa for innovative ventures
- The Job seeker visa: The Job seeker visa is a temporary visa for searching for employment in Portugal. if successful, you can transition to a work visa once in Portugal
- The Portugal golden visa: The Portugal golden visa program for high-networth individuals. This visa requires significant investment in Portuguese economy
- The D7 visa: The D7 visa or passive income visa aimed at retirees and remote workers
- Digital nomad visa: The Portuguese digital nomad visa focused at high-earning freelancers.
Ideally, the Portugal e-visa platform will present a questionnaire. You’ll fill the questionnaire to narrow down your choices to the appropriate visa for your situation.
When You Cannot Use the Portugal E-visa Application
For some countries, using the Portuguese e-visa platform to submit your application might not be available. In this case, here’s what you can do:
Find an embassy or consulate near you
The Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website also lists embassies and consulates (as well as some registered application centers. You can find the consulate or embassy in your country and closest to your location by visiting the dedicated page and searching using your country.
Download the application form online
Many Portuguese embassies and consulates allow you to download the application form from their website. This makes it easier to quickly download, scour through the form, and get upfront with the expectations you must fulfill.
Appointment booking
Some countries also allow you to book your appointments for visa submission online
through the embassy/consulate website or a visa application center. That way you can make sure you are attended to when you finally get to the office.
Premium services
Depending on whether you choose an embassy/consulate or a registered visa application center, you can also access other services such as a special courier for your application to help return your documents and passports directly to your doorstep, as well as dedicated extra counsel. Your visa application center might also help with counseling about the appropriate travel health insurance.
What Happens When There’s no Portuguese Embassy/consulate in your Country?
On some occasions, you might not have Portuguese diplomatic representation in your country (or region). Here’s what you can do:
- Find a visa application center: On many occasions, embassies outsource their visa applications to private companies. These VACs will accept your application and then forward it to the embassy. So, even when you use them, it’s still the Portuguese embassy that’s making the decision. The VACs are middlemen.
- The Portuguese embassy in a neighboring country: You can check to see if there’s any Portuguese embassy in a neighboring country. Often you may have to travel there to submit your application. But on occasion, there might be opportunities to apply via mail or online.
- The embassy of another Schengen country. If you cannot find any Portuguese embassy in your country, you can consider submitting your application to the embassy/ consulate of another Schengen country. This means you would be getting a visa from another country. But the amazing benefit is that the short-stay visa gives you access not only to the issuing country but other countries in the Schengen region.
Frequently Asked Questions About Applying for a Portuguese Visa Online
Should you use a visa application service when applying for a long-term visa?
If you’re applying for a long-term visa such as the D7 passive income visa, golden visa, work visa, study visa, and more, it’s always a great idea to work with an agency. This is because the visa application process can be hectic, convoluted, and bureaucratic. First, you’ll need to get the Portugal tax number which often takes time.
What countries are visa-free for Portugal?
It’s an amazing fact that the Portuguese can travel to 159 countries in the world visa-free. However, if you’re traveling to Portugal, you won’t need a visa if you are coming from countries like:
- Albania
- Andorra
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Brazil
- Brunei Darussalam
- Canada
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Dominica
- El Salvador
- Georgia
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Holy See
- Honduras
- Israel
- Japan
- Kiribati
- Malaysia
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Micronesia
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- North Macedonia
- Palau
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Samoa
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Solomon Islands
- South Korea
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Timor-Leste
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tuvalu
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
- Kosovo
- British nationals (Overseas)
- British Overseas Territories Citizens (BOTC)
- British Overseas Citizens (BOC)
- British Protected Persons (BPP)
- British subjects (BS)
- Hong Kong
- Macao Special
How much does it cost to get a Schengen visa for Portugal?
The Portuguese visa costs about 80€. However, it’s a reduced fee of 40€ for children from age six to under 12. And children under age 6 don’t pay any fees. Read this article to learn more about Portugal’s Schengen visa costs.
What is the 90-day rule in Portugal?
The 90-day rule in Portugal applies to the short-stay Schengen visa. This means that the visa gives you 90 days for tourism or business purposes. In lay terms, it means you can stay for 90 consecutive days or 90 days that aren’t in a direct row in 180 days. If you plan on transiting from one Schengen country to another, ensure to get the multiple entry Schengen visa. And of course, you can share that 90 days across the different Schengen countries you’d like to visit.
Where do I send my Portugal visa application form?
Is It Possible to Apply for a Portugal Visa Online? You can either sign up on the Portugal e-visa platform and upload the form there. Alternatively, you can take your form in-person to the embassy, consulate or visa application center nearest to you. Just make sure you choose the right embassy, consulate or visa application center that covers your location.
Can I fill my visa application online?
Depending on your country, you could fill your visa application online. But the alternative is downloading your Portugal application and then filling it by hand. Next, you’ll submit it in person at your embassy, consulate or visa application center.
Is it possible to apply for a Portugal visa online?
Yes it’s now possible to apply for the Portugal visa online. Previously you could only download the application form, fill and submit in person. Nevertheless, confirm that using the e-visa application platform works for your country before using it.
How can I get a Schengen visa fast?
It’s possible to get your Schengen visa as fast as 15 days. But this depends on the accuracy of your application and of course, the embassy you use. However, you can hasten your visa approval process, by adding a support letter from a reputable and trustworthy source that truly asserts you will return to your home country.
This can be your employer, landlord, or other trusted source. You can also accelerate your visa approval process by picking the short-stay business visa as it increases your odds slightly. You can also improve your chances by applying to a smaller Schengen country, which helps you improve approval speed. Remember that you’ll have to adjust your travel plans to align with that country.
Wrapping Up
Is it possible to apply for a Portugal visa online? Yes it is. Depending on your country and unique circumstances, you can start your Portuguese visa application online. However, it’s always a great idea to check with the embassy/consulate near you to figure out whether the online application procedure is right for your country.
Finally, ensure to submit all the accurate documents and fill out the visa application correctly. This helps improve the chances of getting your approval as early as possible and on the first try.
