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International (Non-EU) Students

Portuguese Visa Information

Students coming from countries outside the Schengen Area or the Republic of Ireland are required to apply for a Schengen Visa for study purposes ("Temporary Stay Visa for Attendance of a Study Program into an Educational Establishment" for longer than three months and up to one year) or a Residence Visa (for stays that could take longer than one year). Please note that you can apply for a Residence Permit once you are in Portugal instead of renewing your Schengen Visa. However, to enter Portugal, you must first obtain a student visa; do not enter Portugal with a Tourist Visa, as you will not be able to renew it.

According to your nationality and/or country of residence (if your country of residence is different from that of your nationality), you should lodge your visa application with the Portuguese Embassy/Consulate closest to you.

Remember that the responsibility for initiating and following the visa application process is entirely yours. Nova SBE has no influence over the visa processing time.

Contact Us

The Life at Nova SBE team is available to answer questions and assist students with matters related to the process of obtaining a student visa for Portugal.

Bachelor’s: bachelors@novasbe.pt
Master’s: masters@novasbe.pt

Visa requirements may vary depending on your nationality and the Portuguese Embassy or Consulate processing your application. However, students are typically required to provide the following documentation.

  • Completed visa application form;
  • Valid passport or travel document, with an expiry date at least three months beyond the intended period of stay;
  • Recent passport-sized photographs;
  • Proof of travel arrangements;
  • Document certifying the third-country national is in a regular situation when the applicant is from a different nationality than that of the country where the visa is being requested;
  • Valid travel health insurance covering medical expenses, emergency assistance, and repatriation;
  • Form authorizing access to the Portuguese criminal record by the Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo (AIMA) ;
  • Criminal record certificate issued by your country of nationality or country of residence;
  • Proof of sufficient financial means to support your stay in Portugal;
  • Proof of accommodation in Portugal for the duration of your stay. (Check out our housing partners)
  • Document issued by the higher education institution certifying admission to a course for the duration of less than one year (acceptance letter)

Please note that the relevant Embassy or Consulate may request additional documents, certified translations, or original copies. As requirements may vary, we recommend confirming the specific documentation directly with the Embassy or Consulate handling your application before submitting it.

Visa processing time

Portuguese visa processing can take anywhere from two weeks to up to three months. Hence, it is advisable to apply to Nova SBE as soon as possible and to start your visa application as soon as you receive the Acceptance Letter.

Looking for the Portuguese Embassy or Consulate nearest to you?

To help you prepare for your move to Portugal, you can access the directory of Portuguese Embassies and Consulates around the world here: Europa - Rede Consular - Portal das Comunidades Portuguesas

Third-Country nationals who already hold a Residence Permit from an EU Member State

If you are a third-country national with a valid residence permit from an EU Member State, you may apply for the “Communication of Mobility for Higher Education Students". In this way, you can come to Portugal without applying for a new visa, as long as the Portuguese authorities are informed in advance. Here you can find more information regarding the process.