Visa Information

Overview

Every customer, including children/infants, has to submit his/her Schengen visa application in person and by appointment only on their appointment date, which needs to be booked online.

For Non-EU citizens who are not sure whether a Schengen visa is required to travel to the Schengen Area, please click Do I need a visa? to find out.

Customer, who intend to travel purely for tourist purposes, i.e. visiting for leisure, recreation or sightseeing, and provide for their own accommodation (hotel, hostel, B&B, camping, …) need to apply as Tourist.

Eligibility

Customers must at least meet the following criteria in order to be eligible to submit a Schengen visa application:

1. holding a valid passport/travel document
2. holding a valid UK residence permit. In case the customers holds a short stay visa for the UK, C type visa (see example here), then a Schengen visa application can only be accepted, subject to analysis from the Mission, for Essential Travel (business, study, family reunification, health or humanitarian reasons, and EU Family Members accompanying the corresponding family member)
3. applying for a short stay visa: Tourist (including Minors), Visitor Family/Friends, Business, EEA/EU and Swiss national family member or Airport Transit

Jurisdiction

The following counties, please click here, come under the jurisdiction of the Consulate of Portugal in London, i.e. customers residing in 1 of these counties can only submit their visa application at the VFS Portugal Visa Application Centre in London, which is outsourced representative for the Consulate of Portugal in London.

The following counties, please click here, come under the jurisdiction of the Consulate of Portugal in Manchester, i.e. customers residing in 1 of these counties can only submit their visa application at the VFS Portugal Visa Application Centres in Manchester or Edinburgh, which are outsourced representatives for the Consulate of Portugal in Manchester.

Visa Fees

Applicable visa fee, in Pound Sterling (£), is as per the current exchange rate and may be subject to change without notice.

VFS service fee (inclusive of VAT) is charged per visa application, in addition to the applicable visa fee.

All fees can be paid by cash (except in Manchester and Edinburgh), Credit/Debit card.

Cheque payments and direct bank transfers are not accepted.

All fees are non-refundable.

Documents Required

• Travel insurance is mandatory for all Schengen countries. If you have not purchased, please click here

The list of documents below is not an exhaustive list of documents and the customer can always be asked to provide additional information/documents, if desired by the Mission.

Both the standard and the supporting documentation have to be recent, i.e. not older than 1 month, and need to be provided for every Schengen visa application.

Customers always have to bring and present their original documents, but they only need to submit photocopies of the same; unless the requirements specify that an original document has to be submitted.

Before gathering the required documents mentioned below, applicants are advised to read the requirements under Overview section in order to ensure they are entitled to apply for the chosen visa category.

For Minors, please click here.

A. STANDARD DOCUMENTATION FOR SCHENGEN VISA APPLICATION

1. Visa application form (original) (see here)

2. Passport (original)

   Signed passport, at least 2 blank pages for visa purposes, must be valid for at least 90 days beyond the return date of the trip to the Schengen Area and has to be issued within the last 10 years on the day of leaving the Schengen Area.

   Extended passport may still be valid, but when older than 10 years the passport is no longer acceptable; in that case customers first needs to apply for a new passport.

   Photocopies of previous Schengen visas endorsed in an old passport and issued in the last 3 years, if applicable.

3. IMPORTANT NOTE FOR RUSSIAN PASSPORT HOLDERS

   Kindly be informed Russian national has two valid (Russian) passports, they will need to present both at their appointment at VFS and provide copies of both passports as well as all Schengen visas affixed.

4. UK Residence permit

   UK Residence permit, endorsed in the passport, issued as a Biometrics card, and digital share code for prove your immigration status click here for Biometric Resident card expiring on 31st Dec’24, valid for at least one month beyond the return date of the trip to the Schengen Area.

   • For holders of a UK Residence Card for EU/EEA family members issued pre-Brexit, please provide the share code for your EU Settlement Scheme status. The printout is obtainable from UKVI's "prove your immigration status".
   • If you do not possess a biometric residence card, provide the share code for either your EU Settlement Scheme status or your immigration status. The printout can be accessed via UKVI's "prove your immigration status".
   • Non-residents legally staying in the UK can only submit a visa application for Essential Travel purposes (business, study, family reunification, health or humanitarian reasons, and EU Family Members accompanying the corresponding family member), subject to prior approval from the Mission.

5. Photograph (original)

B. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION FOR SCHENGEN VISA APPLICATION

1. Proof of current occupation

   a. Employer letter (original): recent (less than 1 month old), signed, headed letter (addressed to the Mission, name and position of the signee and confirming customers employment) AND last 3 months payslips

   b. Student letter (original): recent (less than 1 month old), signed, UK school/college/university letter (addressed to the Mission, name and position of the signee and confirming customers enrolment)

   c. Self- employment letter (original): recent (less than 1 month old), signed, headed letter (addressed to the Mission, name and position of the signee and confirming customers self-employment) and obtained from (if applicable):

   i. customers accountant: when customers company’s accountancy is done by an external/independent accountant

   ii. solicitor: when customers company has been registered by a solicitor

   iii. bank manager: when customers company has a business bank account

   iv. Companies House: Certificate of Incorporation received upon registering business: if customers name is not mentioned on certificate, then additional proof demonstrating connection customer – company should be provided

   d. Unemployed/retired

   1. Receiving Benefits: recent original letter obtained from local Jobcentre or Pension Service
   2. Not receiving Benefits: cover letter explaining customers financial situation

   3. Housewife/man (only applicable to married couples): customers may be sponsored by their spouse/registered partner; in these cases the following needs to be provided:

      a.marriage certificate (original + copy): when this document was issued outside the EU and is not in English or Portuguese, then it should be translated by a certified translator in the UK

      b.spouse/registered partner’s passport (original + copy)

      c.spouse/registered partner’s proof of occupation (as in B.1.a, b or c)

      d.spouse/registered partner’s proof of funds

      e.spouse/registered partner’s cover letter (signed & dated) confirming sponsorship

2. Proof of funds

   a.Latest 3 months UK current account bank statements showing customers name, address and an end balance dated within the last month on the visa application submission date; balance needs to show a minimum amount of £ 50.00/day of stay in the Schengen Area + outstanding accommodation and travel fees (alternatively online bank account printouts are also accepted).

   b.Travellers’ cheques covering the same amount as explained under a.

3. Proof of travel (airplane, train, boat, coach, (hired) car)

   a.Confirmed return travel tickets: mentioning customers name and travel dates to & from the Schengen Area

   b.When travelling by car: car registration, car insurance, return travel tickets (ferry or Eurotunnel) mentioning the car’s registration number and driver’s driving licence. If the customer is not the driver, then driver’s cover letter (signed & dated) confirming joint travel with the customers and travel dates need to be provided too.

   When travel tickets have been paid through travel agency, then a receipt, an invoice or a payment confirmation is also required.

4. Proof of accommodation

   confirmed accommodation (hotel, hostel, camping,…) reservation mentioning customers name, travel dates and accommodation address details.

   If the customers name is not mentioned on the accommodation reservation, then a joint travel confirmation letter, signed and dated by the person whose name is on the reservation, must also be provided along with a photocopy of that same person’s passport/ID card + passport signature page, if signature is not on passport’s bio page.

   When accommodation is reserved for a group, then a list with the names of the group members will also be required; alternatively the group members their names may also be mentioned on the travel ticket.

5. Travel insurance (all-risk medical travel insurance)

   The travel insurance – clearly showing the customers name - has to be valid throughout the complete territory of the Schengen Area and must cover the entire period of the customers intended stay in the Schengen Area; the minimum coverage for medical emergency and repatriation (in case of death clause included) must be 30.000 €.

Photo Specifications

Please provide one recent colour photograph (not more than 6 months old) of yourself, meeting the following requirements:

• Taken against a light (white or off-white) background so that features are distinguishable and contrast against the background.
• Clear quality and with the face in focus
• Full face: non-smiling, no sunglasses, no hat/cap or any head covering, unless the customer wears such items because of his/her religious belief or ethnic background
• Printed on normal photographic paper (camera print)
• Photograph attached (glued) to the Visa Application Form

If the photographs presented do not meet these requirements (see examples here), then the visa application will be considered incomplete and the customer be asked to take new photographs in the photo booth in the visa application centre.

Processing Time

Every customer can submit his/her Schengen visa application up to 6 months before the intended travel date to the Schengen Area.

The minimum processing time of a visa application is 2 weeks, so customers are advised to leave enough time - between the appointment date and travel date - for the Mission to process their visa application; no guarantees can be given on the visa application’s return date as delays may occur.

For certain nationalities (see list here) the visa application needs consultation from the other Schengen countries and therefore the minimum processing time takes more than 3 weeks.

In order to avoid any delays in the visa application process, it is paramount that the visa application is complete and its documents submitted are as per the Mission’s requirements (see Documents Required for the different visa categories).

Customers also need to be aware that, especially during busy season around Easter, Summer holidays (July and August) and Christmas, the appointments are being booked very quickly as the Mission only processes a fixed amount of visa applications on a daily basis.

Furthermore, customers need to consider that VFS/Mission’s closures and holidays (see Public Holidays/Closures) may extend the visa application processing time.

Therefore, VFS recommends all customers:

1. book their appointment as soon as they know they’ll be travelling
2. ensure that their visa application’s documentation meets the Mission’s requirements
3. leave enough processing time for the Mission

Customers submitting their visa application in our satellite centre in Edinburgh need to calculate 2 extra days to their minimum processing time as their visa application will first be dispatched to the VFS Manchester office, from where it is forwarded to the Mission in Manchester the following day.

The Mission may always request for additional information/documents or invite customers for an interview during the visa application process and this may cause delays in the visa process, which the customers accept responsibility for.

Application Form

For Portugal every customer needs to provide a signed printout from an online Schengen visa application form (VAF).

Therefore, each customers first needs to duly complete and print the online Schengen visa application form as follows:

1. Click Schengen Visa Application form (PDF format)
2. Duly complete the online visa application form (as per the passport’s details)
3. Select File in Menu bar
4. Select Print and confirm Printing

Once the online Schengen visa application form has been printed, then the customer needs to finish the remaining steps:

1. Sign the completed visa application form in the designated places (1st signature at no.37, 2nd signature right under the disclaimer at the end of the VAF)
2. Bring the signed visa application form with the supporting documents on his/her appointment day

Overview

Every customer, including children/infants, has to submit his/her Schengen visa application in person and by appointment only on their appointment date, which needs to be booked online.

For Non-EU citizens who are not sure whether a Schengen visa is required to travel to the Schengen Area, please click Do I need a visa? to find out.

Customer, who intend to travel to visit and stay with family/friends legally residing in Portugal, need to apply as Visitor Family/Friends.

Eligibility

Customers must at least meet the following criteria in order to be eligible to submit a Schengen visa application:

1. holding a valid passport/travel document
2. holding a valid UK residence permit. In case the customers holds a short stay visa for the UK, a C type visa (see example here), then applicant can also apply for a Schengen visa; then a Schengen visa application can only be accepted, subject to analysis from the Mission, for Essential Travel (business, study, family reunification, health or humanitarian reasons, and EU Family Members accompanying the corresponding family member)
3. applying for a short stay visa: Tourist (including Minors), Visitor Family/Friends, Business, EEA/EU and Swiss national family member or Airport Transit

Jurisdiction

The following counties, please click here, come under the jurisdiction of the Consulate of Portugal in London, i.e. customers residing in 1 of these counties can only submit their visa application at the VFS Portugal Visa Application Centre in London, which is outsourced representative for the Consulate of Portugal in London.

The following counties, please click here, come under the jurisdiction of the Consulate of Portugal in Manchester, i.e. customers residing in 1 of these counties can only submit their visa application at the VFS Portugal Visa Application Centres in Manchester or Edinburgh, which are outsourced representatives for the Consulate of Portugal in Manchester.

Visa Fees

Applicable visa fee, in Pound Sterling (£), is as per the current exchange rate and may be subject to change without notice.

VFS service fee (inclusive of VAT) is charged per visa application, in addition to the applicable visa fee.

All fees can be paid by cash (except in Manchester and Edinburgh), Credit/Debit card.

Cheque payments and direct bank transfers are not accepted.

All fees are non-refundable.

Documents Required

• Travel insurance is mandatory for all Schengen countries. If you have not purchased, please click here

The list of documents below is not an exhaustive list of documents and the applicant can always be asked to provide additional information/documents, if desired by the Mission.

Both the standard and the supporting documentation have to be recent, i.e. not older than 1 month, and need to be provided for every Schengen visa application.

Customers always have to bring and present their original documents, but they only need to submit photocopies of the same; unless the requirements specify that an original document has to be submitted.

Before gathering the required documents mentioned below, customers are advised to read the requirements under Overview section in order to ensure they are entitled to apply for the chosen visa category.

For Minors, please click here.

A. STANDARD DOCUMENTATION FOR SCHENGEN VISA APPLICATION

1. Visa application form (original) (see here)

2. Passport (original)

   Signed passport, at least 2 blank pages for visa purposes, must be valid for at least 90 days beyond the return date of the trip to the Schengen Area and has to be issued within the last 10 years on the day of leaving the Schengen Area.

   Extended passport may still be valid, but when older than 10 years the passport is no longer acceptable; in that case customer first needs to apply for a new passport.

   Photocopies of previous Schengen visas endorsed in an old passport and issued in the last 3 years, if applicable.

3. IMPORTANT NOTE FOR RUSSIAN PASSPORT HOLDERS

   Kindly be informed Russian national has two valid (Russian) passports, they will need to present both at their appointment at VFS and provide copies of both passports as well as all Schengen visas affixed.

4. UK Residence permit

   UK Residence permit, endorsed in the passport, issued as a Biometrics card, and digital share code click here for Biometric Resident card expiring on 31st Dec’24, valid for at least one month beyond the return date of the trip to the Schengen Area.

   • For holders of a UK Residence Card for EU/EEA family members issued pre-Brexit, please provide the share code for your EU Settlement Scheme status. The printout is obtainable from UKVI's "prove your immigration status".
   • If you do not possess a biometric residence card, provide the share code for either your EU Settlement Scheme status or your immigration status. The printout can be accessed via UKVI's "prove your immigration status".
   • Non-residents legally staying in the UK can only submit a visa application for Essential Travel purposes (business, study, family reunification, health or humanitarian reasons, and EU Family Members accompanying the corresponding family member), subject to prior approval from the Mission.

5. Photograph (original)

B. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION FOR SCHENGEN VISA APPLICATION

1. Proof of current occupation

   a. Employer letter (original): recent (less than 1 month old), signed, headed letter (addressed to the Mission, name and position of the signee and confirming customers employment) AND last 3 months payslips

   b. Student letter (original): recent (less than 1 month old), signed, UK school/college/university letter (addressed to the Mission, name and position of the signee and confirming customers enrolment)

   c. Self- employment letter (original): recent (less than 1 month old), signed, headed letter (addressed to the Mission, name and position of the signee and confirming customers self-employment) and obtained from (if applicable):

   i. customers accountant: when applicant’s company’s accountancy is done by an external/independent accountant

   ii. solicitor: when customers company has been registered by a solicitor

   iii. bank manager: when customers company has a business bank account

   iv. Companies House: Certificate of Incorporation received upon registering business: if customers name is not mentioned on certificate, then additional proof demonstrating connection customers – company should be provided

   d. Unemployed/retired

   1. Receiving Benefits: recent original letter obtained from local Jobcentre or Pension Service
   2. Not receiving Benefits: cover letter explaining applicant’s financial situation

   3. Housewife/man (only applicable to married couples): customers may be sponsored by their spouse/registered partner; in these cases the following needs to be provided:

      a. marriage certificate (original + copy): when this document was issued outside the EU and is not in English or Portuguese, then it should be translated by a certified translator in the UK

      b. spouse/registered partner’s passport (original + copy)

      c. spouse/registered partner’s proof of occupation (as in B.1.a, b or c)

      d. spouse/registered partner’s proof of funds

      e. spouse/registered partner’s cover letter (signed & dated) confirming sponsorship

   1. Proof of funds

   a. Latest 3 months UK current account bank statements showing customers name, address and an end balance dated within the last month on the visa application submission date; balance needs to show a minimum amount of £ 50.00/day of stay in the Schengen Area + outstanding accommodation and travel fees (alternatively online bank account printouts are also accepted).

   b. Travellers’ cheques covering the same amount as explained under a.

2. Proof of travel (airplane, train, boat, coach, (hired) car)

a. Confirmed return travel tickets: mentioning customers name and travel dates to & from the Schengen Area

b. When travelling by car: car registration, car insurance, return travel tickets (ferry or Eurotunnel) mentioning the car’s registration number and driver’s driving licence. If customer is not the driver, then driver’s cover letter (signed & dated) confirming joint travel with customer and travel dates need to be provided too.

When travel tickets have been paid through travel agency, then a receipt, an invoice or a payment confirmation is also required.

3. Proof of accommodation

Term of responsibility - If the declaration is authenticated (by a public notary – Portuguese or English) then no further documents are required, if not then in complement to the declaration, copy of host’s passport’s bio page + host’s permit of stay in Portugal, if host is non EU citizen+host’s proof of address in Portugal.

4. Travel insurance (all-risk medical travel insurance)

The travel insurance – clearly showing the customers name - has to be valid throughout the complete territory of the Schengen Area and must cover the entire period of the applicant’s intended stay in the Schengen Area; the minimum coverage for medical emergency and repatriation (in case of death clause included) must be 30.000 €.

Photo Specifications

Please provide one recent colour photograph (not more than 6 months old) of yourself, meeting the following requirements:

• Taken against a light (white or off-white) background so that features are distinguishable and contrast against the background.
• Clear quality and with the face in focus.
• Full face: non-smiling, no sunglasses, no hat/cap or any head covering, unless the customer wears such items because of his/her religious belief or ethnic background
• Printed on normal photographic paper (camera print)
• Photograph attached (glued) to the Visa Application Form

If the photographs presented do not meet these requirements (see examples here), then the visa application will be considered incomplete and the customer will be asked to take new photographs in the photo booth in the visa application centre.

Processing Time

Every customer can submit his/her Schengen visa application up to 6 months before the intended travel date to the Schengen Area.

The minimum processing time of a visa application is 2 weeks, so customers are advised to leave enough time - between the appointment date and travel date - for the Mission to process their visa application; no guarantees can be given on the visa application’s return date as delays may occur.

For certain nationalities (see list here) the visa application needs consultation from the other Schengen countries and therefore the minimum processing time takes more than 3 weeks.

In order to avoid any delays in the visa application process, it is paramount that the visa application is complete and its documents submitted are as per the Mission’s requirements (see Documents Required for the different visa categories).

Customers also need to be aware that, especially during busy season around Easter, Summer holidays (July and August) and Christmas, the appointments are being booked very quickly as the Mission only processes a fixed amount of visa applications on a daily basis.

Furthermore, customers need to consider that VFS/Mission’s closures and holidays (see Public Holidays/Closures) may extend the visa application processing time.

Therefore, VFS recommends all customers:

1. book their appointment as soon as they know they’ll be travelling
2. ensure that their visa application’s documentation meets the Mission’s requirements
3. leave enough processing time for the Mission

Customers submitting their visa application in our satellite centre in Edinburgh need to calculate 2 extra days to their minimum processing time as their visa application will first be dispatched to the VFS Manchester office, from where it is forwarded to the Mission in Manchester the following day.

The Mission may always request for additional information/documents or invite customers for an interview during the visa application process and this may cause delays in the visa process, which the customers accept responsibility for.

Application Form

For Portugal every customer needs to provide a signed printout from an online Schengen visa application form (VAF).

Therefore, each customers first needs to duly complete and print the online Schengen visa application form as follows:

1. Click Schengen Visa Application form (PDF format)
2. Duly complete the online visa application form (as per the passport’s details)
3. Select File in Menu bar
4. Select Print and confirm Printing

Once the online Schengen visa application form has been printed, then the customer needs to finish the remaining steps:

1. Sign the completed visa application form in the designated places (1st signature at no.37, 2nd signature right under the disclaimer at the end of the VAF)
2. Bring the signed visa application form with the supporting documents on his/her appointment day

Overview

Every applicant, including children/infants, has to submit his/her Schengen visa application in person and by appointment only on their appointment date, which needs to be booked online.

For Non-EU citizens who are not sure whether a Schengen visa is required to travel to the Schengen Area, please click Do I need a visa? to find out.

Customer, who intend to travel for business purposes, i.e. visiting a business/company to have meetings, to make business deals, to recruit, to train or other work related activities can apply as Business.

Every Business visa application has to be confirmed by an invitation letter from a business/company based in Portugal, if not, applicant will need to apply as Tourist.

In regards to conference/seminar/workshop the following customers can also apply for a Business visa:

1. Customers-employees going to attend a conference/seminar/workshop organised by their company or another company directly related to their company
2. Customers-employees going to be actively involved in a conference/seminar/workshop
3. Students going to attend a conference/seminar/workshop related to their studies

Employer letter needs to confirm clearly the purpose of attending the conference/seminar/workshop, if not, applicant will need to apply as Tourist.

Eligibility

Customers must at least meet the following criteria in order to be eligible to submit a Schengen visa application:

1. holding a valid passport/travel document
2. holding a valid UK residence permit. In case the customer holds a short stay visa for the UK, a C type visa (see example here), then a Schengen visa application can only be accepted, subject to analysis from the Mission, for Essential Travel (business, study, family reunification, health or humanitarian reasons, and EU Family Members accompanying the corresponding family member)
3. applying for a short stay visa: Tourist (including Minors), Visitor Family/Friends, Business, EEA/EU and Swiss national family member or Airport Transit

Jurisdiction

The following counties, please click here, come under the jurisdiction of the Consulate of Portugal in London, i.e. customers residing in 1 of these counties can only submit their visa application at the VFS Portugal Visa Application Centre in London, which is outsourced representative for the Consulate of Portugal in London.

The following counties, please click here, come under the jurisdiction of the Consulate of Portugal in Manchester, i.e. customers residing in 1 of these counties can only submit their visa application at the VFS Portugal Visa Application Centres in Manchester or Edinburgh, which are outsourced representatives for the Consulate of Portugal in Manchester.

Visa Fees

Applicable visa fee, in Pound Sterling (£), is as per the current exchange rate and may be subject to change without notice.

VFS service fee (inclusive of VAT) is charged per visa application, in addition to the applicable visa fee.

All fees can be paid by cash (except in Manchester and Edinburgh), Credit/Debit card.

Cheque payments and direct bank transfers are not accepted.

All fees are non-refundable.

Documents Required

• Travel insurance is mandatory for all Schengen countries. If you have not purchased, please click here

The list of documents below is not an exhaustive list of documents and the customer can always be asked to provide additional information/documents, if desired by the Mission.

Both the standard and the supporting documentation have to be recent, i.e. not older than 1 month, and need to be provided for every Schengen visa application.

Applicants always have to bring and present their original documents, but they only need to submit photocopies of the same; unless the requirements specify that an original document has to be submitted.

Before gathering the required documents mentioned below, applicants are advised to read the requirements under the Overview section in order to ensure they are entitled to apply for the chosen visa category.

A. STANDARD DOCUMENTATION FOR SCHENGEN VISA APPLICATION

1. Visa application form (original) (see here)

2. Passport (original)

   Signed passport, at least 2 blank pages for visa purposes, must be valid for at least 90 days beyond the return date of the trip to the Schengen Area and has to be issued within the last 10 years on the day of leaving the Schengen Area.

   Extended passport may still be valid, but when older than 10 years the passport is no longer acceptable; in that case customer first needs to apply for a new passport.

   Photocopies of previous Schengen visas endorsed in an old passport and issued in the last 3 years, if applicable.

3. IMPORTANT NOTE FOR RUSSIAN PASSPORT HOLDERS

   Kindly be informed Russian national has two valid (Russian) passports, they will need to present both at their appointment at VFS and provide copies of both passports as well as all Schengen visas affixed.

4. UK Residence permit

   UK Residence permit, endorsed in the passport, issued as a Biometrics card, and digital share code click here for Biometric Resident card expiring on 31st Dec’24, valid for at least one month beyond the return date of the trip to the Schengen Area.

   • For holders of a UK Residence Card for EU/EEA family members issued pre-Brexit, please provide the share code for your EU Settlement Scheme status. The printout is obtainable from UKVI's "prove your immigration status".
   • If you do not possess a biometric residence card, provide the share code for either your EU Settlement Scheme status or your immigration status. The printout can be accessed via UKVI's "prove your immigration status".
   • Non-residents legally staying in the UK can only submit a visa application for Essential Travel purposes (business, study, family reunification, health or humanitarian reasons, and EU Family Members accompanying the corresponding family member), subject to prior approval from the Mission.

5. Photograph (original) (see here)

B. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION FOR SCHENGEN VISA APPLICATION

1. Proof of current occupation

a. Employer letter (original): recent (less than 1 month old), signed, headed letter (addressed to the Mission, name and position of the signee and confirming customers employment) AND last 3 months payslips

b. Student letter (original): recent (less than 1 month old), signed, UK university letter (addressed to the Mission, name and position of the signee and confirming customers enrolment)

c. Self- employment letter (original): recent (less than 1 month old), signed, headed letter (addressed to the Mission, name and position of the signee and confirming customers self-employment) and obtained from (if applicable):

i. customers accountant: when applicant’s company’s accountancy is done by an external/independent accountant

ii. solicitor: when customers company has been registered by a solicitor

iii. bank manager: when customers company has a business bank account

iv. Companies House: Certificate of Incorporation received upon registering business: if customers name is not mentioned on certificate, then additional proof demonstrating connection applicant – company should be provided

1. Proof of business invitation

Original (preferably) cover letter from inviting company/organisation in Portugal confirming customers name, purpose of visit, period of visit, confirmation arrangement details for travel and/or accommodation

2. Proof of funds

   a. Latest 3 months UK current account bank statements showing customers name, address and an end balance dated within the last month on the visa application submission date; balance needs to show a minimum amount of £ 50.00/day of stay in the Schengen Area + outstanding accommodation and travel fees (alternatively online bank account printouts are also accepted).

   b. Travellers’ cheques covering the same amount as explained under a.

3. Proof of travel (airplane, train, boat, coach, (hired) car)

   a. Confirmed return travel tickets: mentioning customers name and travel dates to & from the Schengen Area

   b. When travelling by car: car registration, car insurance, return travel tickets (ferry or Eurotunnel) mentioning the car’s registration number and driver’s driving licence. If the customer is not the driver, then driver’s cover letter (signed & dated) confirming joint travel with the customer and travel dates need to be provided too.

   When travel tickets have been paid through travel agency, then a receipt, an invoice or a payment confirmation is also required.

4. Proof of accommodation

   confirmed accommodation (hotel, hostel, camping,…) reservation mentioning customers name, travel dates and accommodation address details.

   If the customers name is not mentioned on the accommodation reservation, then a joint travel confirmation letter, signed and dated by the person whose name is on the reservation, must also be provided along with a photocopy of that same person’s passport/ID card + passport signature page, if signature is not on passport’s bio page.

   When accommodation is reserved for a group, then a list with the names of the group members will also be required; alternatively the group members their names may also be mentioned on the travel ticket.

5. Travel insurance (all-risk medical travel insurance)

   The travel insurance – clearly showing the customers name - has to be valid throughout the complete territory of the Schengen Area and must cover the entire period of the customers intended stay in the Schengen Area; the minimum coverage for medical emergency and repatriation (in case of death clause included) must be 30.000 €.

Photo Specifications

Please provide one recent colour photograph (not more than 6 months old) of yourself, meeting the following requirements:

• Taken against a light (white or off-white) background so that features are distinguishable and contrast against the background.
• Clear quality and with the face in focus
• Full face: non-smiling, no sunglasses, no hat/cap or any head covering, unless the customer wears such items because of his/her religious belief or ethnic background
• Printed on normal photographic paper (camera print)
• Photograph attached (glued) to the Visa Application Form

If the photographs presented do not meet these requirements (see examples here), then the visa application will be considered incomplete and the customer will be asked to take new photographs in the photo booth in the visa application centre.

Processing Time

Every customer can submit his/her Schengen visa application up to 6 months before the intended travel date to the Schengen Area.

The minimum processing time of a visa application is 2 weeks, so customers are advised to leave enough time - between the appointment date and travel date - for the Mission to process their visa application; no guarantees can be given on the visa application’s return date as delays may occur.

For certain nationalities (see list here) the visa application needs consultation from the other Schengen countries and therefore the minimum processing time takes more than 3 weeks.

In order to avoid any delays in the visa application process, it is paramount that the visa application is complete and its documents submitted are as per the Mission’s requirements (see Documents Required for the different visa categories).

Customers also need to be aware that, especially during busy season around Easter, Summer holidays (July and August) and Christmas, the appointments are being booked very quickly as the Mission only processes a fixed amount of visa applications on a daily basis.

Furthermore, customers need to consider that VFS/Mission’s closures and holidays (see Public Holidays/Closures) may extend the visa application processing time.

Therefore, VFS recommends all customers:

1. book their appointment as soon as they know they’ll be travelling
2. ensure that their visa application’s documentation meets the Mission’s requirements
3. leave enough processing time for the Mission

Customers submitting their visa application in our satellite centre in Edinburgh need to calculate 2 extra days to their minimum processing time as their visa application will first be dispatched to the VFS Manchester office, from where it is forwarded to the Mission in Manchester the following day.

The Mission may always request for additional information/documents or invite customers for an interview during the visa application process and this may cause delays in the visa process, which the customers accept responsibility for.

Application Form

For Portugal every customer needs to provide a signed printout from an online Schengen visa application form (VAF).

Therefore, each customers first needs to duly complete and print the online Schengen visa application form as follows:

1. Click Schengen Visa Application form (PDF format)
2. Duly complete the online visa application form (as per the passport’s details)
3. Select File in Menu bar
4. Select Print and confirm Printing

Once the online Schengen visa application form has been printed, then the customer needs to finish the remaining steps:

1. Sign the completed visa application form in the designated places (1st signature at no.37, 2nd signature right under the disclaimer at the end of the VAF)
2. Bring the signed visa application form with the supporting documents on his/her appointment day

Overview

Every customer, including children/infants, has to submit his/her Schengen visa application in person and by appointment only on their appointment date, which needs to be booked online.

For Non-EU citizens who are not sure whether a Schengen visa is required to travel to the Schengen Area, please click Do I need a visa? to find out.

A. Following family members of EEA/EU and Swiss nationals are entitled to apply for a Schengen visa as EEA/EU and Swiss national family member, i.e. submitting fewer documents required than regular Tourists and exempt from paying the applicable visa fee, when travelling together with their EEA/EU or Swiss national family member OR when joining their EU family member who is already inside the Schengen Area :

1. Spouse
2. Parent(s) (only if child is under 18 years old or elderly parent cohabiting with child)
3. Child(ren)
4. Registered partner

Also note Family member means:

1. the spouse;
2. the partner with whom the Union citizen has contracted a registered partnership, on the basis of the legislation of a Member State, if the legislation of the host Member State treats registered partnerships as equivalent to marriage and in accordance with the conditions laid down in the relevant legislation of the host Member State;
3. the direct descendants who are under the age of 21 or are dependants and those of the spouse or partner as defined in point (B);
4. the dependent direct relatives in the ascending line and those of the spouse or partner as defined in point (B);
5. Parents of Union Citizens under the age of 21

A dependent person is understood to be a third-country national supported by a European Union citizen or the spouse thereof, who:

• is systematically preparing for a future profession;
• cannot systematically prepare for a future profession or perform gainful activities due to illness or injury; or
• is not capable of performing systematic gainful activities due to a chronic adverse health condition.
• Proof of dependency (if applicable) Letter/statement from relevant authority (government, tax or health authority) stating dependency to EU national.

More information regarding EU family members can be found in the following link: https://vistos.mne.gov.pt/en/short-stay-visas-schengen/family-members-of-portuguesecitizens-eu-eee-switzerland

More information regarding the rights of residency for EU nationals and their family members can be found in the following link: https://www.sef.pt/en/pages/faq-detalhe.aspx?nID=8

EU family members from third countries are no longer exempt from a Schengen visa requirement when travelling into the Schengen area from the UK

B. Any customer, travelling without his/her EEA/EU or Swiss national family member or joining their EU family member who is in the Schengen area, cannot apply as EEA/EU and Swiss national family member and need to apply as Tourist, i.e. providing all the required documents and paying the applicable visa fee.

• Family members of UK nationals will no longer be treated as EU Family members and must apply as standard Tourist.
• Holders of UK Residence Permits/Cards for EU Family Members are no longer exempt from Visa when travelling into the Schengen Area. This means that EU Family Members must always apply for a Schengen Visa (free of charge, as EU Family Members)

Eligibility

customer must at least meet the following criteria in order to be eligible to submit a Schengen visa application:

1. holding a valid passport/travel document
2. holding a valid UK residence permit.
3. applying for a short stay visa: Tourist (including Minors), Visitor Family/Friends, Business, EEA/EU and Swiss national family member or Airport Transit

Jurisdiction

The following counties, please click here, come under the jurisdiction of the Consulate of Portugal in London, i.e. customers residing in 1 of these counties can only submit their visa application at the VFS Portugal Visa Application Centre in London, which is outsourced representative for the Consulate of Portugal in London.

The following counties, please click here, come under the jurisdiction of the Consulate of Portugal in Manchester, i.e. customers residing in 1 of these counties can only submit their visa application at the VFS Portugal Visa Application Centres in Manchester or Edinburgh, which are outsourced representatives for the Consulate of Portugal in Manchester.

If you are an EU Family Member accompanying or joining the EU citizen, applying at VFS facilities, no visa fee will be charged, only an additional fee. You may also apply directly at the Consulate General were no visa or additional fee will be charged”.

Visa Fees

Applicable visa fee, in Pound Sterling (£), is as per the current exchange rate and may be subject to change without notice.

VFS service fee (inclusive of VAT) is charged per visa application, in addition to the applicable visa fee.

All fees can be paid by cash (except in Manchester and Edinburgh), Credit/Debit card.

Cheque payments and direct bank transfers are not accepted.

All fees are non-refundable.

Documents Required

• Travel insurance is mandatory for all Schengen countries. If you have not purchased, please click here

The list of documents below is not an exhaustive list of documents and the applicant can always be asked to provide additional information/documents, if desired by the Mission.

Both the standard and the supporting documentation have to be recent, i.e. not older than 1 month, and need to be provided for every Schengen visa application.

Applicants always have to bring and present their original documents, but they only need to submit photocopies of the same; unless the requirements specify that an original document has to be submitted.

Before gathering the required documents mentioned below, applicants are advised to read the requirements under the Overview section in order to ensure they are entitled to apply for the chosen visa category.

For Minors, please click here.

A. STANDARD DOCUMENTATION FOR SCHENGEN VISA APPLICATION

1. Visa application form (original) (see here)

2. Passport (original)

   Signed passport, at least 2 blank pages for visa purposes, must be valid for at least 90 days beyond the return date of the trip to the Schengen Area and has to be issued within the last 10 years on the day of leaving the Schengen Area.

   Extended passport may still be valid, but when older than 10 years the passport is no longer acceptable; in that case customer first needs to apply for a new passport.

   Photocopies of previous Schengen visas endorsed in an old passport and issued in the last 3 years, if applicable.

3. IMPORTANT NOTE FOR RUSSIAN PASSPORT HOLDERS

   Kindly be informed Russian national has two valid (Russian) passports, they will need to present both at their appointment at VFS and provide copies of both passports as well as all Schengen visas affixed.

4. UK Residence permit

   UK Residence permit, endorsed in the passport, issued as a Biometrics card, and digital share codeclick here for Biometric Resident card expiring on 31st Dec’24 valid for at least one month beyond the return date of the trip to the Schengen Area.

   • For holders of a UK Residence Card for EU/EEA family members issued pre-Brexit, please provide the share code for your EU Settlement Scheme status. The printout is obtainable from UKVI's "prove your immigration status".
   • If you do not possess a biometric residence card, provide the share code for either your EU Settlement Scheme status or your immigration status. The printout can be accessed via UKVI's "prove your immigration status".
   • Non-residents legally staying in the UK can only submit a visa application for Essential Travel purposes (business, study, family reunification, health or humanitarian reasons, and EU Family Members accompanying the corresponding family member), subject to prior approval from the Mission.

5. Photograph (original)

B. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION FOR SCHENGEN VISA APPLICATION

1. EEA/EU and Swiss national’s passport or ID card (original to be seen)

2. Proof of relation to EEA/EU and Swiss national: marriage/birth certificate (original to be seen), if not in English or Portuguese, then translation by a certified translator in the UK of the same is required.

3. Proof of joint travel

Signed declaration from the EU Family member

If joining the EU family member who is already in the Schengen Area, the customer should provide a signed declaration from the EU Family member stating that they will be meeting inside the Schengen Area or a proof of stay with both their names.

 

Photo Specifications

Please provide one recent colour photograph (not more than 6 months old) of yourself, meeting the following requirements:

• Taken against a light (white or off-white) background so that features are distinguishable and contrast against the background.
• Clear quality and with the face in focus
• Full face: non-smiling, no sunglasses, no hat/cap or any head covering, unless the customer wears such items because of his/her religious belief or ethnic background
• Printed on normal photographic paper (camera print)
• Photograph attached (glued) to the Visa Application Form

If the photographs presented do not meet these requirements (see examples here), then the visa application will be considered incomplete and the customer will be asked to take new photographs in the photo booth in the visa application centre.

Processing Time

Every customer can submit his/her Schengen visa application up to 6 months before the intended travel date to the Schengen Area.

The minimum processing time of a visa application is 2 weeks, so customers are advised to leave enough time - between the appointment date and travel date - for the Mission to process their visa application; no guarantees can be given on the visa application’s return date as delays may occur.

For certain nationalities (see list here) the visa application needs consultation from the other Schengen countries and therefore the minimum processing time takes more than 3 weeks.

In order to avoid any delays in the visa application process, it is paramount that the visa application is complete and its documents submitted are as per the Mission’s requirements (see Documents Required for the different visa categories).

Customers also need to be aware that, especially during busy season around Easter, Summer holidays (July and August) and Christmas, the appointments are being booked very quickly as the Mission only processes a fixed amount of visa applications on a daily basis.

Furthermore, customers need to consider that VFS/Mission’s closures and holidays (see Public Holidays/Closures) may extend the visa application processing time.

Therefore, VFS recommends all customers:

1. book their appointment as soon as they know they’ll be travelling
2. ensure that their visa application’s documentation meets the Mission’s requirements
3. leave enough processing time for the Mission

Customers submitting their visa application in our satellite centre in Edinburgh need to calculate 2 extra days to their minimum processing time as their visa application will first be dispatched to the VFS Manchester office, from where it is forwarded to the Mission in Manchester the following day.

The Mission may always request for additional information/documents or invite customers for an interview during the visa application process and this may cause delays in the visa process, which the customers accept responsibility for.

Application Form

For Portugal every customer needs to provide a signed printout from an online Schengen visa application form (VAF).

Therefore, each customers first needs to duly complete and print the online Schengen visa application form as follows:

1. Click Schengen Visa Application form (PDF format)
2. Duly complete the online visa application form (as per the passport’s details)
3. Select File in Menu bar
4. Select Print and confirm Printing

Once the online Schengen visa application form has been printed, then the customer needs to finish the remaining steps:

1. Sign the completed visa application form in the designated places (1st signature at no.37, 2nd signature right under the disclaimer at the end of the VAF)
2. Bring the signed visa application form with the supporting documents on his/her appointment day

Overview

Every customer, including children/infants, has to submit his/her Schengen visa application in person and by appointment only on their appointment date, which needs to be booked online.

For Non-EU citizens who are not sure whether a Schengen visa is required to travel to the Schengen Area, please click Do I need a visa? to find out.

Minors are customers who haven’t reached the age of 18 years when submitting a Schengen visa application (Tourist, Visitor Family/Friends, EEA/EU and Swiss national family member or Airport Transit).

Therefore, each minor MUST provide the following additional documents:

1. Child’s unabridged/full birth certificate showing both biological parents their names
2. Written consent (signed and dated) of mother and father mentioned on the child’s birth certificate
3. Copy of both parents their passport’s Bio page and signature page, if signature is not on Bio page
4. In case the parents are divorced or one of the parents has deceased, then respectively the court order confirming one parent’s sole custody or the deceased parent’s death certificate.
5. In case a guardian has been appointed by the parents, then the guardianship letter and the guardian’s passport’s Bio page and signature page, if signature is not on Bio page

Due to European legislation regarding protection of children/minors, it has to be emphasised that Minors, who are not providing all the required documents, may not be granted a Schengen visa.

Applicable visa fee for minors varies in 3 age groups:

1. Minors under 6 years old: Gratis
2. Minors 6 years old but just not 12 years old: Reduced visa fee
3. Minors 12 years old and more: Full visa fee

Eligibility

Customers must at least meet the following criteria in order to be eligible to submit a Schengen visa application:

1. holding a valid passport/travel document
2. holding a valid UK residence permit. In case applicant holds a short stay visa for the UK, a C type visa (see example here), then a Schengen visa application can only be accepted, subject to analysis from the Mission, for Essential Travel (business, study, family reunification, health or humanitarian reasons, and EU Family Members accompanying the corresponding family member)
3. applying for a short stay visa: Tourist (including Minors), Visitor Family/Friends, Business, EEA/EU and Swiss national family member or Airport Transit

Jurisdiction

The following counties, please click here, come under the jurisdiction of the Consulate of Portugal in London, i.e. customers residing in 1 of these counties can only submit their visa application at the VFS Portugal Visa Application Centre in London, which is outsourced representative for the Consulate of Portugal in London.

The following counties, please click here, come under the jurisdiction of the Consulate of Portugal in Manchester, i.e. customers residing in 1 of these counties can only submit their visa application at the VFS Portugal Visa Application Centres in Manchester or Edinburgh, which are outsourced representatives for the Consulate of Portugal in Manchester.

Visa Fees

Applicable visa fee, in Pound Sterling (£), is as per the current exchange rate and may be subject to change without notice.

VFS service fee (inclusive of VAT) is charged per visa application, in addition to the applicable visa fee.

All fees can be paid by cash (except in Manchester and Edinburgh), Credit/Debit card.

Cheque payments and direct bank transfers are not accepted.

All fees are non-refundable.

Documents Required

• Travel insurance is mandatory for all Schengen countries. If you have not purchased, please click here

The list of documents below is not an exhaustive list of documents and the customer can always be asked to provide additional information/documents, if desired by the Mission.

Both the standard and the supporting documentation have to be recent, i.e. not older than 1 month, and need to be provided for every Schengen visa application.

Applicants always have to bring and present their original documents, but they only need to submit photocopies of the same; unless the requirements specify that an original document has to be submitted.

Before gathering the required documents mentioned below, applicants are advised to read the requirements under the Overview section in order to ensure they are entitled to apply for the chosen visa category.

A. STANDARD DOCUMENTATION FOR SCHENGEN VISA APPLICATION

1. Visa application form (original) (see here)

2. Passport (original)

   Signed passport, at least 2 blank pages for visa purposes, must be valid for at least 90 days beyond the return date of the trip to the Schengen Area and has to be issued within the last 10 years on the day of leaving the Schengen Area.

   Extended passport may still be valid, but when older than 10 years the passport is no longer acceptable; in that case customer first needs to apply for a new passport.

   Photocopies of previous Schengen visas endorsed in an old passport and issued in the last 3 years, if applicable.

3. IMPORTANT NOTE FOR RUSSIAN PASSPORT HOLDERS

   Kindly be informed Russian national has two valid (Russian) passports, they will need to present both at their appointment at VFS and provide copies of both passports as well as all Schengen visas affixed.

4. UK Residence permit

   UK Residence permit, endorsed in the passport, issued as a Biometrics card, and digital share codeclick here for Biometric Resident card expiring on 31st Dec’24 valid for at least one month beyond the return date of the trip to the Schengen Area.

   • For holders of a UK Residence Card for EU/EEA family members issued pre-Brexit, please provide the share code for your EU Settlement Scheme status. The printout is obtainable from UKVI's "prove your immigration status".
   • If you do not possess a biometric residence card, provide the share code for either your EU Settlement Scheme status or your immigration status. The printout can be accessed via UKVI's "prove your immigration status".
   • Non-residents legally staying in the UK can only submit a visa application for Essential Travel purposes (business, study, family reunification, health or humanitarian reasons, and EU Family Members accompanying the corresponding family member), subject to prior approval from the Mission.

5. Photograph (original)

Every minor, irrespective of the visa category applying for, has also to provide the following documents as part of the Standard Documentation:

1. Birth certificate

1. Unabridged birth certificate showing biological parents their names; if not in English or Portuguese then translation by a certified translator in the UK is also required consent of both parents
2. Consent from parental authority/legal guardian. Written consent (signed and dated) for the minor to travel Parental authority/legal guardian passport Original or Certified copy through local or international notary service

2. (in the case of a single parent): in case parents have divorced or one of the parents is deceased, then the same has to be demonstrated by court/residence order (original to be seen) or death certificate (original to be seen).

3. Parent’s Passport - Both parents original passport needs to be there during the application process. If anyone or both parents original passport is not present then the copy of the passport bio data page needs to be notarised by an official notary.

Proof of guardianship : certified letter of guardianship

B. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION FOR SCHENGEN VISA APPLICATION

In Case The Minor Is Applying For All Visa Categories Except EEA/EU And Swiss National Family Member.

1. Proof of current occupation

   a. Student letter (original): recent (less than 1 month old), signed, UK school/college/university letter (addressed to the Mission, name and position of the signee and confirming minors enrolment)

2. Proof of funds (from 1 parent)

   a. Latest 3 months UK current account bank statements showing minor parents name, address and an end balance dated within the last month on the visa application submission date; balance needs to show a minimum amount of £ 50.00/day of stay in the Schengen Area + outstanding accommodation and travel fees (alternatively online bank account printouts are also accepted).

   b. Travellers’ cheques covering the same amount as explained under a.

3. Proof of travel (airplane, train, boat, coach, (hired) car)

   a. Confirmed return travel tickets: mentioning minors name and travel dates to and from the Schengen Area

   b. When travelling by car: car registration, car insurance, return travel tickets (ferry or Eurotunnel) mentioning the car’s registration number and driver’s driving licence. driver’s cover letter (signed and dated) confirming joint travel with the minor and travel dates need to be provided too.

   When travel tickets have been paid through travel agency, then a receipt, an invoice or a payment confirmation is also required.

4. Proof of accommodation

   a. confirmed accommodation (hotel, hostel, camping,…) reservation mentioning the minors name, travel dates and accommodation address details.

   If the minors name is not mentioned on the accommodation reservation, then a joint travel confirmation letter, signed and dated by the person whose name is on the reservation, must also be provided along with a photocopy of that same person’s passport/ID card + passport signature page, if signature is not on passport’s bio page.

   When accommodation is reserved for a group, then a list with the names of the group members will also be required; alternatively the group members their names may also be mentioned on the travel ticket.

   b. accommodation provided by family/friends in Portugal: minors host’s recent (not older than 1 month) cover letter (signed and dated) - confirming travel period and address of stay - is required, along with a copy of host’s passport’s bio page + host’s permit of stay in Portugal, if host is non EU citizen.

   When applying through the Portuguese Consulate in Manchester then host in Portugal also needs to provide a declaration of support legalised by a Notary Public (visa application Manchester and Edinburgh).

5. Travel insurance (all-risk medical travel insurance)

   The travel insurance – clearly showing the minors name - has to be valid throughout the complete territory of the Schengen Area and must cover the entire period of the minors intended stay in the Schengen Area; the minimum coverage for medical emergency and repatriation (in case of death clause included) must be 30.000 €.

In case the minor is applying for EEA/EU AND SWISS NATIONAL FAMILY MEMBER

1. EEA/EU and Swiss national’s passport or ID card (original to be seen)

2. Proof of relation to EEA/EU and Swiss national: marriage/birth certificate (original to be seen), if not in English or Portuguese, then translation by a certified translator in the UK of the same is required  

3. Proof of joint travel (airplane, train, boat, coach, (hired) car)

Confirmed return travel tickets: mentioning both minors and EEA/EU and Swiss national family member’s names and travel dates to and from the Schengen Area

When travelling by car: car registration, car insurance, return travel tickets (ferry or Eurotunnel) mentioning the car’s registration number and driver’s driving licence. Driver’s cover letter (signed and dated) confirming joint travel with the minor and travel dates need to be provided too.

When travel tickets have been paid through travel agency, then a receipt, an invoice or a payment confirmation is also required.

Photo Specifications

Please provide one recent colour photograph (not more than 6 months old) of yourself, meeting the following requirements:

• Taken against a light (white or off-white) background so that features are distinguishable and contrast against the background.
• Clear quality and with the face in focus.
• Full face: non-smiling, no sunglasses, no hat/cap or any head covering, unless the customer wears such items because of his/her religious belief or ethnic background
• Printed on normal photographic paper (camera print)
• Photograph attached (glued) to the Visa Application Form

If the photographs presented do not meet these requirements (see examples here), then the visa application will be considered incomplete and applicant will be asked to take new photographs in the photo booth in the visa application centre.

Processing Time

Every customer can submit his/her Schengen visa application up to 6 months before the intended travel date to the Schengen Area.

The minimum processing time of a visa application is 2 weeks, so customers are advised to leave enough time - between the appointment date and travel date - for the Mission to process their visa application; no guarantees can be given on the visa application’s return date as delays may occur.

For certain nationalities (see list here) the visa application needs consultation from the other Schengen countries and therefore the minimum processing time takes more than 3 weeks.

In order to avoid any delays in the visa application process, it is paramount that the visa application is complete and its documents submitted are as per the Mission’s requirements (see Documents Required for the different visa categories).

Customers also need to be aware that, especially during busy season around Easter, Summer holidays (July and August) and Christmas, the appointments are being booked very quickly as the Mission only processes a fixed amount of visa applications on a daily basis.

Furthermore, customers need to consider that VFS/Mission’s closures and holidays (see Public Holidays/Closures) may extend the visa application processing time.

Therefore, VFS recommends all customers:

1. book their appointment as soon as they know they’ll be travelling
2. ensure that their visa application’s documentation meets the Mission’s requirements
3. leave enough processing time for the Mission

Customers submitting their visa application in our satellite centre in Edinburgh need to calculate 2 extra days to their minimum processing time as their visa application will first be dispatched to the VFS Manchester office, from where it is forwarded to the Mission in Manchester the following day.

The Mission may always request for additional information/documents or invite customers for an interview during the visa application process and this may cause delays in the visa process, which the customers accept responsibility for.

Application Form

For Portugal every customer needs to provide a signed printout from an online Schengen visa application form (VAF).

Therefore, each customers first needs to duly complete and print the online Schengen visa application form as follows:

1. Click Schengen Visa Application form (PDF format)
2. Duly complete the online visa application form (as per the passport’s details)
3. Select File in Menu bar
4. Select Print and confirm Printing

Once the online Schengen visa application form has been printed, then the customer needs to finish the remaining steps:

1. Sign the completed visa application form in the designated places (1st signature at no.37, 2nd signature right under the disclaimer at the end of the VAF)
2. Bring the signed visa application form with the supporting documents on his/her appointment day

Overview

Customers that require a Visa to travel to Portugal with the intention of renewing their Portuguese Residence and already have an appointment with SEF must submit an application for a Temporary Stay (E6) Visa (not a Schengen Visa).

Jurisdiction

The following counties, please click here, come under the jurisdiction of the Consulate of Portugal in London, i.e. customers residing in 1 of these counties can only submit their visa application at the VFS Portugal Visa Application Centre in London, which is outsourced representative for the Consulate of Portugal in London.

The following counties, please click here, come under the jurisdiction of the Consulate of Portugal in Manchester, i.e. customers residing in 1 of these counties can only submit their visa application at the VFS Portugal Visa Application Centres in Manchester or Edinburgh, which are outsourced representatives for the Consulate of Portugal in Manchester.

Visa Fees

Applicable visa fee, in Pound Sterling (£), is as per the current exchange rate and may be subject to change without notice.

VFS service fee (inclusive of VAT) is charged per visa application, in addition to the applicable visa fee.

All fees can be paid by cash (except in Manchester and Edinburgh), Credit/Debit card.

Cheque payments and direct bank transfers are not accepted.

All fees are non-refundable.

Documents Required

• Travel insurance is mandatory for all Schengen countries. If you have not purchased, please click here

The list of documents below is not an exhaustive list of documents and the customer can always be asked to provide additional information/documents, if desired by the Mission.

Both the standard and the supporting documentation have to be recent, i.e. not older than 1 month, and need to be provided for every Schengen visa application.

Customers always have to bring and present their original documents, but they only need to submit photocopies of the same; unless the requirements specify that an original document has to be submitted.

Before gathering the required documents mentioned below, applicants are advised to read the requirements under the Overview section in order to ensure they are entitled to apply for the chosen visa category.

For Minors, please click here.

STANDARD DOCUMENTATION FOR SCHENGEN VISA APPLICATION

1. Visa application form (original) (see here)

2. Passport (original)

   Signed passport, at least 2 blank pages for visa purposes, must be valid for at least 90 days beyond the return date of the trip to the Schengen Area and has to be issued within the last 10 years on the day of leaving the Schengen Area.

   Extended passport may still be valid, but when older than 10 years the passport is no longer acceptable; in that case customer first needs to apply for a new passport.

   Photocopies of previous Schengen visas endorsed in an old passport and issued in the last 3 years, if applicable.

3. IMPORTANT NOTE FOR RUSSIAN PASSPORT HOLDERS

   Kindly be informed Russian national has two valid (Russian) passports, they will need to present both at their appointment at VFS and provide copies of both passports as well as all Schengen visas affixed.

4. UK Residence permit

   UK Residence permit, endorsed in the passport, issued as a Biometrics card, and digital share codeclick here for Biometric Resident card expiring on 31st Dec’24 valid for at least one month beyond the return date of the trip to the Schengen Area.

   • For holders of a UK Residence Card for EU/EEA family members issued pre-Brexit, please provide the share code for your EU Settlement Scheme status. The printout is obtainable from UKVI's "prove your immigration status".
   • If you do not possess a biometric residence card, provide the share code for either your EU Settlement Scheme status or your immigration status. The printout can be accessed via UKVI's "prove your immigration status".
   • Non-residents legally staying in the UK can only submit a visa application for Essential Travel purposes (business, study, family reunification, health or humanitarian reasons, and EU Family Members accompanying the corresponding family member), subject to prior approval from the Mission.

5. Photograph (original)

6. Proof of current occupation

   a. Employer letter (original): recent (less than 1 month old), signed, headed letter (addressed to the Mission, name and position of the signee and confirming customers employment) AND last 3 months payslips

   b. Student letter (original): recent (less than 1 month old), signed, UK school/college/university letter (addressed to the Mission, name and position of the signee and confirming customers enrolment)

   c. Self- employment letter (original): recent (less than 1 month old), signed, headed letter (addressed to the Mission, name and position of the signee and confirming applicant’s self-employment) and obtained from (if applicable):

   i. customers accountant: when customers company’s accountancy is done by an external/independent accountant

   ii. solicitor: when customers company has been registered by a solicitor

   iii. bank manager: when customers company has a business bank account

   iv. Companies House: Certificate of Incorporation received upon registering business: if customers name is not mentioned on certificate, then additional proof demonstrating connection customer – company should be provided

d. Unemployed/retired

1. Receiving Benefits: recent original letter obtained from local Jobcentre or Pension Service

2. Not receiving Benefits: cover letter explaining customers financial situation

3. Housewife/man (only applicable to married couples): applicant’s may be sponsored by their spouse/registered partner; in these cases the following needs to be provided:

a. marriage certificate (original + copy): when this document was issued outside the EU and is not in English or Portuguese, then it should be translated by a certified translator in the UK

b. spouse/registered partner’s passport (original + copy)

spouse/registered partner’s proof of occupation (as in B.1.a, b or c)

c. spouse/registered partner’s proof of funds

d. spouse/registered partner’s cover letter (signed & dated) confirming sponsorship

7. Proof of funds

   a. Latest 3 months UK current account bank statements showing customers name, address and an end balance dated within the last month on the visa application submission date; balance needs to show a minimum amount of £ 50.00/day of stay in the Schengen Area + outstanding accommodation and travel fees (alternatively online bank account printouts are also accepted).

   b. Travellers’ cheques covering the same amount as explained under a.

8. Proof of travel (airplane, train, boat, coach, (hired) car)

   a. Confirmed return travel tickets: mentioning customers name and travel dates to & from the Schengen Area

   When travelling by car: car registration, car insurance, return travel tickets (ferry or Eurotunnel) mentioning the car’s registration number and driver’s driving licence. If the customer is not the driver, then driver’s cover letter (signed & dated) confirming joint travel with customer and travel dates need to be provided too.

   When travel tickets have been paid through travel agency, then a receipt, an invoice or a payment confirmation is also required.

9. Proof of accommodation

   confirmed accommodation (hotel, hostel, camping,…) reservation mentioning customers name, travel dates and accommodation address details.

   If the customers name is not mentioned on the accommodation reservation, then a joint travel confirmation letter, signed and dated by the person whose name is on the reservation, must also be provided along with a photocopy of that same person’s passport/ID card + passport signature page, if signature is not on passport’s bio page.

   When accommodation is reserved for a group, then a list with the names of the group members will also be required; alternatively the group members their names may also be mentioned on the travel ticket.

10. Travel insurance (all-risk medical travel insurance)

    The travel insurance – clearly showing the customers name - has to be valid throughout the complete territory of the Schengen Area and must cover the entire period of the customers intended stay in the Schengen Area; the minimum coverage for medical emergency and repatriation (in case of death clause included) must be 30.000 €.

11. Proof of Appointment with SEF

Photo Specifications

Please provide one recent colour photograph (not more than 6 months old) of yourself, meeting the following requirements:

• Taken against a light (white or off-white) background so that features are distinguishable and contrast against the background.
• Clear quality and with the face in focus
• Full face: non-smiling, no sunglasses, no hat/cap or any head covering, unless the customer wears such items because of his/her religious belief or ethnic background
• Printed on normal photographic paper (camera print)
• Photograph attached (glued) to the Visa Application Form

If the photographs presented do not meet these requirements (see examples here), then the visa application will be considered incomplete and applicant will be asked to take new photographs in the photo booth in the visa application centre.

Processing Time

Every customer can submit his/her Schengen visa application up to 6 months before the intended travel date to the Schengen Area.

The minimum processing time of a visa application is 2 weeks, so customers are advised to leave enough time - between the appointment date and travel date - for the Mission to process their visa application; no guarantees can be given on the visa application’s return date as delays may occur.

For certain nationalities (see list here) the visa application needs consultation from the other Schengen countries and therefore the minimum processing time takes more than 3 weeks.

In order to avoid any delays in the visa application process, it is paramount that the visa application is complete and its documents submitted are as per the Mission’s requirements (see Documents Required for the different visa categories).

Customers also need to be aware that, especially during busy season around Easter, Summer holidays (July and August) and Christmas, the appointments are being booked very quickly as the Mission only processes a fixed amount of visa applications on a daily basis.

Furthermore, customers need to consider that VFS/Mission’s closures and holidays (see Public Holidays/Closures) may extend the visa application processing time.

Therefore, VFS recommends all customers:

1. book their appointment as soon as they know they’ll be travelling
2. ensure that their visa application’s documentation meets the Mission’s requirements
3. leave enough processing time for the Mission

Customers submitting their visa application in our satellite centre in Edinburgh need to calculate 2 extra days to their minimum processing time as their visa application will first be dispatched to the VFS Manchester office, from where it is forwarded to the Mission in Manchester the following day.

The Mission may always request for additional information/documents or invite customers for an interview during the visa application process and this may cause delays in the visa process, which the customers accept responsibility for.

Application Form

For Portugal every customer needs to provide a signed printout from an online Schengen visa application form (VAF).

Therefore, each customers first needs to duly complete and print the online Schengen visa application form as follows:

1. Click Schengen Visa Application form (PDF format)
2. Duly complete the online visa application form (as per the passport’s details)
3. Select File in Menu bar
4. Select Print and confirm Printing

Once the online Schengen visa application form has been printed, then the customer needs to finish the remaining steps:

1. Sign the completed visa application form in the designated places (1st signature at no.37, 2nd signature right under the disclaimer at the end of the VAF)
2. Bring the signed visa application form with the supporting documents on his/her appointment day

Overview

Every customer, including children/infants, has to submit his/her National visa application in person and by appointment only on their appointment date, which needs to be booked online.

For Non-EU citizens who are not sure whether a National visa is required to travel to the Schengen Area, please click Do I need a visa? to find out.

Jurisdiction

The following counties, please click here, come under the jurisdiction of the Consulate of Portugal in London, i.e. customers residing in 1 of these counties can only submit their visa application at the VFS Portugal Visa Application Centre in London, which is outsourced representative for the Consulate of Portugal in London.

The following counties, please click here, come under the jurisdiction of the Consulate of Portugal in Manchester, i.e. customers residing in 1 of these counties can only submit their visa application at the VFS Portugal Visa Application Centres in Manchester or Edinburgh, which are outsourced representatives for the Consulate of Portugal in Manchester.

Visa Fees

Applicable visa fee, in Pound Sterling (£), is as per the current exchange rate and may be subject to change without notice.

VFS service fee (inclusive of VAT) is charged per visa application, in addition to the applicable visa fee.

All fees can be paid by cash (except in Manchester and Edinburgh), Credit/Debit card.

Cheque payments and direct bank transfers are not accepted.

All fees are non-refundable.

Documents Required

For overall information and documentation required to apply for Portugal National Visa (Residence Visa or Temporary Visa) please click here and/or visit the Portuguese Foreign Office website (MNE):

English - https://vistos.mne.gov.pt/en/national-visas/general-information/type-of-visa

Portuguese - https://vistos.mne.gov.pt/pt/vistos-nacionais/informacao-geral/tipo-de-visto

Please note, documents required for the following counties, click here, come under the jurisdiction of the Consulate of Portugal in Manchester, i.e. customers residing in 1 of these counties can only submit their visa application at the VFS Portugal Visa Application Centres in Manchester or Edinburgh, which are outsourced representatives for the Consulate of Portugal in Manchester with the following documents.

IMPORTANT NOTE :

All original documents issued in the UK (criminal record certificates, birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc.) to be authenticated and apostilled by the Foreign and Commonwealth office in the UK. Also note the DBS certificate is valid for only 4 months from the date of issue.

Non-UK nationals submitting a National visa application, must provide a UK Residence permit, endorsed in the passport, issued as a Biometrics card, or digital share code, valid for more than the date of expiry of the visa they are applying for. This means that the UK residence permit must be valid for more than 120 days for Residence Visas (starting from the day they intend to arrive in Portugal), and for Temporary Stay visas the UK residence permit must go beyond their whole stay (up to 1 year).

For the checklists of all categories of temporary stay visas available, please check here

1) TEMPORARY STAY VISA FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT (E1)

2) TEMPORARY STAY VISA IN THE FRAMEWORK OF TRANSFER OF NATIONALS TO STATE PARTIES TO THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO), FOR SERVICE PROVIDING OR PROFESSIONAL TRAINING PURPOSES (E2)

3) EMPORARY STAY VISA FOR AN INDEPENDENT WORK PURPOSE (E3)

4) TEMPORARY STAY VISA FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH PURPOSES, ACADEMIC TEACHING PURPOSES OR HIGHLY QUALIFIED ACTIVITY PURPOSES, FOR LESS THAN A YEAR (E4)

5) TEMPORARY STAY VISA FOR AMATEUR SPORTS PURPOSES (E5)

6) TEMPORARY STAY VISA FOR MORE OF 3 MONTHS STAY; PARTICIPATION IN STUDY PROGRAMS, STUDY EXCHANGE, UNPAID PROFESSIONAL INTERNSHIP, VOLUNTARY SERVICE AND IN THE FRAMEWORK OF INTERNATIONAL COMMITMENTS RELATED TO THE FREE MOVEMENT OF SERVICES (E6)

7) TEMPORARY STAY VISA FOR A FAMILY MEMBER WHO ACCOMPANIES THE PATIENT IN THE MEDICAL TREATMENT (E7)

8) TEMPORARY STAY VISA FOR SEASONAL WORK FOR MORE THAN 90 DAYS (UP TO 270 DAYS IN A 12 MONTH PERIOD) (E8)

9) TEMPORARY STAY VISA FOR ACADEMIC OR PROFESSIONAL TRAINING PURPOSES (E9)

10) TEMPORARY STAY VISA FOR ACCOMPANYING FAMILY MEMBER HOLDING TEMPORARY STAY VISA (EF)

11) TEMPORARY STAY VISA FOR THE EXERCISE OF A PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY DONE REMOTELY “DIGITAL NOMADS” ER

For the checklists of all categories of residence visas available, please check here

1) RESIDENCE VISA FOR A SUBORDINATE WORK ACTIVITY (D1)

2) RESIDENCE VISA FOR A PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY OR MIGRANT ENTREPRENEURS AND STARTUP VISA PROGRAM (D2)

3) RESIDENCE VISA FOR TEACHING PURPOSES, HIGHLY QUALIFIED AND CULTURAL ACTIVITY OR HIGHLY SUBORDINATED ACTIVITY (D3)

4) RESIDENCY STAY VISA FOR RESEARCH, STUDY, HIGHER EDUCATION, STUDENTS EXCHANGE, INTERNSHIPS AND VOLUNTARY WORK (D4)

5) D6 RESIDENCE VISA FOR FAMILY REUNIFICATION

5) RESIDENCY STAY VISA FOR RETIREMENT PURPOSES, RELIGIOUS PURPOSES OR FOR LIVING FROM INDIVIDUAL REVENUES (D7)

6) RESIDENCY VISA FOR ACCOMPANYING FAMILY MEMBER APPLYING FOR A RESIDENCE VISA (DF)

7) JOB SEEKERS VISA (DP)

8) RESIDENCY VISA FOR THE EXERCISE OF A PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY DONE REMOTELY - “DIGITAL NOMADS” (DR)

Important notice:

All original documents issued in the UK (criminal record certificates, birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc.) to be authenticated and apostilled by the Foreign and Commonwealth office in the UK. Also note the DBS certificate is valid for only 4 months from the date of issue.

Term of Responsibility

You can download the term of responsibility by clicking here

Photo Specifications

Please provide two recent colour photographs (not more than 6 months old) of yourself, meeting the following requirements:

• Taken against a light (white or off-white) background so that features are distinguishable and contrast against the background.
• Clear quality and with the face in focus
• Full face: non-smiling, no sunglasses, no hat/cap or any head covering, unless the customer wears such items because of his/her religious belief or ethnic background
• Printed on normal photographic paper (camera print)
• Photograph attached (glued) to the Visa Application Form

If the photographs presented do not meet these requirements (see examples here), then the visa application will be considered incomplete and customers will be asked to take new photographs in the photo booth in the visa application centre.

Processing Time

Every customer can submit his/her National visa application up to 3 months before the intended travel date to the Schengen Area.

The minimum processing time of a visa application is 1 month, so customers are advised to leave enough time - between the appointment date and travel date - for the Mission to process their visa application; no guarantees can be given on the visa application’s return date as delays may occur. In some cases, the processing time could be minimum 3 months.

Customers also need to be aware that, especially during busy season around Easter, Summer holidays (July and August) and Christmas, the appointments are being booked very quickly as the Mission only processes a fixed amount of National visa applications on a daily basis.  

Furthermore customers need to consider that VFS/Mission’s closures and holidays (see Public Holidays/Closures) may extend the visa application processing time.

Therefore, VFS recommends all customers:

1. to book their appointment as soon as they know they’ll be travelling
2. to ensure that their visa application’s documentation meets the Mission’s requirements
3. to leave enough processing time for the Mission

Customers submitting their National Visa application in our satellite centre in Edinburgh need to calculate 2 extra days to their minimum processing time as their visa application will first be dispatched to the VFS Manchester office, from where it is forwarded to the Mission in Manchester the following day.

The Mission may always request for additional information/documents or invite customers for an interview during the visa application process and this may cause delays in the visa process, which the customers accept responsibility for.

Application Form

For Portugal every customer needs to provide a signed printout from an online application form (VAF).

Therefore, each customer first needs to duly complete and print the online visa application form as follows:

1. Click Visa Application form (PDF format)
2. Duly complete the online visa application form (as per the passport’s details)
3. Select File in Menu bar
4. Select Print and confirm Printing

Once the online Schengen visa application form has been printed, then applicant needs to finish the remaining steps:

1. Sign the completed visa application form in the designated places (1st signature at no.37, 2nd signature right under the disclaimer at the end of the VAF)
2. Bring the signed visa application form with the supporting documents on his/her appointment day.