Regularization and Visa Processes for International Students at Porto Business School

EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: Students from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland do not need a visa to study in Portugal. However, if your academic program is longer than 90 days, you must request a certificate of registration (Certificado de Registo) from your local city council office (Art. 7 of Law 37/2006).To apply for the certificate, you will need:

• Passport
• VAT number
• Proof of address in Portugal

Non-EU/EEA students: If you’re a non-EU student planning to study in Portugal for more than 90 days, you must get a Portuguese student visa and a resident permit. If your stay is shorter, and you come from a visa-exempt country with a Schengen agreement, you don’t need a visaVisas can be granted for:

• Employment
• Self-employment or entrepreneurship
• Scientific research or teaching
• Study, internships, or volunteering
• Higher education mobility
• Family reunification
• Retirement or independent income

• Long Stay Visa (D Type): For courses lasting 12 months or more. This visa allows family reunification and grants legal entry into Portugal. Initially, it permits a stay of 120 days, during which the student must apply for a residence permit. The residence permit ensures continued legal stay for the entire duration of the course.
• Temporary Stay Visa (E Type): For courses lasting less than 12 months. This visa does not allow family reunification and grants legal entry into Portugal for the course’s exact duration, up to a maximum of 12 months, without the option to apply for a residence permit.

Tip: It is advisable to check with your consulate/embassy about pre-scheduling an appointment with AIMA for your residence permit. Grants entry into Portugal and it’s issued for the period of stay.

Here are the 7 main steps to follow:

1. Apply to PBS Programs: Apply to PBS Programs, ideally 8 to 12 months before the intended start of your program.
2. Gather necessary documents: Prepare all required documents, including your acceptance letter from PBS, proof of sufficient financial resources, a valid passport, passport-sized photos, and other supporting documents.
3. Schedule an appointment: Contact the Portuguese embassy or consulate in your country to book an appointment for submitting your visa application. Aim to schedule this 4 months before your planned travel date.
4. Attend the visa interview: Attend the interview at the Portuguese embassy or consulate, prepared to discuss your study plans, financial means, and the purpose of your visit.
5. Provide biometric data: You may be required to provide biometric data, such as fingerprints, during the application.
6. Collect your student visa: Once your visa is approved, collect it from the Portuguese embassy or consulate.
7. Travel to Portugal: With your student visa in hand, you’re ready to begin your educational journey in Portugal!

Processing times vary. Start the process well in advance.

• For visas, Consulates have up to 60 business days to issue a decision on the residence visa request, and 30 business days for temporary stay visas.
• For the residence card, the Immigration Services have up to 90 business days to issue a decision.

Getting a short-stay student visa costs €75. A long-stay Portuguese study visa would cost €90.

• National Visa Application: Completed and signed by the applicant.
• Photographs: Two recent passport-style photos (one for the form).
• Passport: Valid for at least 3 months beyond the estimated return date. Include a photocopy of the passport’s biographical data page.
• Proof of Legal Status: For applicants not applying in their country of nationality, evidence of regular status valid beyond the visa expiration.
• Travel Insurance: Valid coverage for medical expenses, urgent care, and possible repatriation ².
• Criminal Record Certificate: Issued by the relevant authority in the applicant’s home country or country of residence for over a year. It must be apostilled or legalized if applicable.
• Proof of Financial Resources: As specified by the competent authorities.

Additional Requirements for Higher Education Students:

• Admission Proof: Acceptance Letter from PBS.
• Students benefiting from a scholarship, including those awarded by Camões – Instituto da Cooperação e da Língua, are exempt from submitting proof of admission and financial resources.
• Exemption for Portuguese-Speaking Country Nationals: Applicants from Portuguese-speaking countries do not need to provide proof of financial means when admitted to a recognized institution.

² This requirement may be waived if there is a Bilateral/International Agreement between Portugal and the applicant’s home country regarding medical assistance. For example, agreements like PB4 (Brazil) and S1 (United Kingdom) qualify certain beneficiaries with recognized insurance.

Applicants must show they have sufficient means of subsistence based on the current minimum monthly salary (820€ in 2024). The required amounts are:

• First adult: 100% of the minimum salary.
• Additional adults: 50% of the minimum salary each.
• Children and Dependents: 30% of the minimum salary.

Valid income sources include grants, scholarships, or similar financial support.Example: If the program lasts 12 months, the applicant must provide evidence of having 9,840€ (820€ x 12 months) to cover the expenses for the entire academic year.

Proof of language proficiency may be required if your program is taught in Portuguese or English. The visa interview will assess your ability to follow the course in the respective language.

Yes, a Portuguese student visa allows travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. You must always carry your passport, visa, and proof of enrollment at PBS when traveling.

If your visa application is denied, the competent authority will inform you of the reasons for the refusal, and you have the option to appeal the decision. The refusal notice from the Consulate will include the reason for denial, the necessary procedures, and the deadlines for submitting an appeal. You may reapply at any time after the refusal.There are three possible avenues for appeal, which are not mutually exclusive:

• Complaint to the decision-maker: You can request a review from the person who denied the visa within 15 days of being informed (under Article 191 of the CPA).
• Appeal to a higher authority: You can challenge the decision with the Minister of Foreign Affairs within 30 days of receiving the notification (according to Article 59 of the CPTA, referencing Article 193 of the CPA).
• Initiate administrative action: You can file an appeal with the Lisbon Administrative Court within three months of receiving the notification.

For official information on Portugal visas, click here. For more detailed guidance, click here.

At the Agency for Integration, Migrations and Asylum (AIMA). Appointments can be booked by phone or online. Call (+351) 217 115 000, weekdays 8:00–20:00. You will receive confirmation via email and reminders via text.

• Passport (valid)
• Two passport-sized photos (color, plain background)
• Residence visa
• Proof of address (e.g., property ownership, rental agreement)
• Proof of means of subsistence
• Proof of enrollment and tuition payment at PBS
• Health insurance or proof of National Health Service coverage

For detailed information on the required documentation for AIMA appointments, click here.