Portuguese Consulate Washington DC – 5 Easy Steps to Apply for Portugal Schengen Visa
There is plenty to see and do in Portugal from beautiful mountains in the north to stunning beaches in the south. Lively cities with lots of museums and a buzzing nightlife will keep you entertained in this Schengen country. If you want to venture out into the countryside you’ll find national parks with rivers and verdant views. Let’s not forget the excellent waves for surfing or a choice of yellow-sandy beaches for relaxing – Portugal is just waiting for you to arrive. In this article learn more about how to apply for Portugal Visa at the Portuguese consulate in Washington, DC, Portugal visa appointment booking, Processing time at the Portuguese visa application center and Portuguese Visa Application Process at the Washington DC consulate.
Schengen Visa
Last year, there were 263,502 Schengen visa applications received worldwide. The number of rejections for the same year was 39,351. The Embassy of Portugal in Washington rejected 2.2% out of a total of 811 applications.
Applying for Schengen Visa from the United States
If you are a US citizen and wish to go to Portugal for tourist or other purposes for trips up to 90 days, you do NOT need a visa. However, if you are a non-US citizen you DO need a visa for Portugal. If this applies to you and you live permanently in the US you can apply from the United States. You have to make sure you apply at the right Portuguese embassy and consulate.
The Embassy of Portugal in Washington looks after its own jurisdiction, so if you live in the following areas you can apply through this office:
States of: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, District of Columbia.
Types of Schengen Visas Offered at the Embassy of Portugal in Washington
There are 2 types of visa that are available from the Embassy of Portugal in Washington and the one you need will be determined by how long you are going to Portugal for.
Schengen visa – this short-stay visa is for a duration of a maximum of 90 days and can be issued as single, double, or multiple entry.
National visa – this long-stay visa is for a period of longer than 90 days and can be issued as single or multiple entry.
Then, there are different categories of visa and this depends on your reason for travel:
- Tourism
- Business
- Visiting family and friends
- Study
- Medical reasons
- Residence
- Employment
- EEA/EU and Swiss national family member
- Airport Transit
- Minors
Check the embassy’s website before you begin the application process, so you get to know the requirements and how to apply for your Portugal visa.
Schengen Visa Application Process at the Portuguese Embassy in Washington
The procedure for Schengen and National visas is different, so pay attention to the following steps in order to apply in the correct way.
Whichever visa you are applying for, you must apply at least 1 month prior to your departure date. Processing times are around 15 days. Applications will not be processed at the last minute and there may be a delay in issuing visas depending on your nationality. You can apply up to 90 days before your trip, so apply in plenty of time.
Step 1: Complete your application online
Applications for Schengen visas are made through VFS Global. Click on: “How to apply”:
On the next page, scroll down and click on: http://www.secomunidades.pt/
You will then be able to complete your application form. Don’t forget to print and sign it because you will need to take it with you to your appointment.
National visa applications are dealt with by the Embassy of Portugal in Washington, so go to their website and click the “Consular Section” tab and go down to visa information and then click on: “National visa”:
On the next page, scroll down to the link for the application form – http://www.secomunidades.pt/ and you will be able to download it:
Step 2: Make an appointment
For Schengen visa applications, go to VFS Global’s website and scroll down to step 3 and click on: “Schedule an appointment”:
Next, input your login details if you have them:
Or, if this is your first time using this system, you’ll need to create an account. You’ll then be able to log in and book your appointment:
Make sure you print your appointment letter and take it with you when you attend your appointment at VFS.
For National visa application appointments, go to the Portuguese Embassy’s website and click on the “consular section” tab and go down to “Make an appointment”:
On the next page, scroll down to the form for making appointments and complete the information requested. Make sure you specify that it is for a National visa application. Or, you can email the Embassy at mail@washington.dgaccp.pt
Please note, VFS Global will receive your application but it is still the Embassy in Washington that makes a decision on whether to grant your visa.
Making appointments with the embassy or visa application center is generally free and can be done yourself. However, If you are running short of time or not sure which consulate to apply to or have no idea on how to get this done yourself then not to worry, we will make the appointment for you for a small service fee!
Step 3: Preparing your documents for submission to VFS Global or the Portuguese Embassy in Washington
It’s very important to prepare everything that is required for your visa application. Missing documents will result in your application not being processed and/or visa denial. Check both VFS Global and the Embassy’s websites for further information.
Documents include:
1) Application form for visa fully completed and signed (The Embassy request you sign this in front of a consular official)
2) Passport or other travel documents with 2 free pages, issued within the last 10 years, and valid for 3 months past return date
3) Alien residence card or valid US visa with I-94, I-20, -I-AP 66 or I-512 – valid for 2 months past return date
4) Passport photo not older than 6 months
5) Proof of current occupation
– Employee: employer letter OR last 3 pay slips
– Student: university/school/college letter
– Self-employed: cover letter plus business license and tax return
– Unemployed/Retired: proof of pension income/marriage certificate/proof of employment and funds/spouse’s passport
6) Proof of funds – 3 x bank statements
7) Proof of travel – flight booking or other proof of transport
8) Proof of accommodation – Hotel booking and/or host’s ID and permit to stay
9) Travel health insurance valid throughout the Schengen area. Must be for a minimum of €30,000 to cover medical costs, hospital care, emergency treatment, and repatriation
10) Birth certificate
11) Parental consent form/parent’s ID/declaration of consent (for minors)
13) FBI record check
14) Work contract/proof of enrollment/ownership of property etc.
If you’re planning to obtain your flight reservation for visa without paying for the ticket, all you have to do is follow the 3 simple steps below:
- Visit the Visa Reservation website to choose the right package
- Submit the travel details and make the payment online
- Receive flight itinerary in email
Step 4: The visa interview
On the day of your appointment, go to VFS Global in Washington if you are applying for a Schengen visa or the Embassy of Portugal in Washington if it is a National visa application.
Wherever you attend for your interview, don’t be late. In fact, arrive early so you can make sure you have everything with you. It’s also a good idea to dress appropriately to make a good impression. Most importantly, do not forget your documents. You’ll also need to provide photocopies of everything.
The visa staff will review your application and supporting documents and if need be, they will ask you additional questions if they want to clarify anything. If they do, just answer them honestly. Typical visa interview questions may be:
- Is this your first time traveling to a European country?
- What do you know about Portugal?
- Are you meeting anyone there?
- What is your job is the US?
- We don’t think you will return, what is your answer to that?
Don’t jeopardize your Schengen visa interview at the last minute. Use this comprehensive and thorough visa interview guide to crack the visa interview!
You will also pay the fee for your visa application. This is non-refundable even if your application is denied. VFS Global also charge an additional service fee of $33. In addition to these fees, $14.95 will be charged by VFS Global if you want to have your passport mailed back to you. You will receive a receipt for the fees paid. Fees to VFS Global can be paid in cash, debit or credit card or postal order payable to Portugal Visa Application Center, Washington
The fee can be paid to the Embassy of Portugal by cash, certified check or money order payable to the Consulate of Portugal.
Schengen Visa Fee
Type of Visa | Fee |
Schengen visa | $69.00/€60.00 |
Schengen visa (children aged 6-11) | $40.00/€35.00 |
| Caribbean visa from 6 years old (max 30 days) | $40/€35.00 |
Schengen visa, low tariff: visas for citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kosovo, Russia, and Ukraine | $40/€35 |
| Children up to 5 years old | Free |
If you have never applied for a Schengen visa before, you will have to provide biometric data which includes fingerprints and a photograph taken.
Step 5: Receive your visa
Once you have submitted your file, you can track the status of your application on VFS Global’s website and click on: “After submission” and click on the link:
On this page, click on the link:
Enter your reference number and date of birth and click on: “Submit”:
If a decision has been made, you can either collect your passport from VFS Global or the Embassy of Portugal. You will need your receipt, ID, and a copy of your application in order to pick it up.
If you prefer, you can also arrange for your passport to be returned to you. The Portuguese Embassy requires you to provide a pre-paid, self-addressed envelope for this service.
Hopefully, you’ll see your Portugal visa in your passport, but there may have been a reason why your application got refused. Common rejection reasons include:
- Purpose of the trip could not be determined
- Invalid passport
- Application form missing
- Applied to the wrong embassy
- Bank statements not provided
- Employment letter does not have an official letterhead
To prevent any of these refusal reasons, first, make sure you are applying at the correct visa authority – check the website for the areas that they accept applications from – every consulate, Embassy, or application center has a different jurisdiction. It is very vital that you do not omit any paperwork when you submit your application. This results in a delayed application or, even worse, refusal of your application completely. Also, check to see if your passport is valid as per the requirements of the Embassy. In addition, any additional documents you need to provide must be on official letterhead with employers name and address.
Contact details for VFS Global in Washington
Address: 1025 Vermont Avenue NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20005
Email: info.portugalusa@vfsglobal.com
Telephone: +1 305 704 2172 – Call center is open Monday to Friday, 8.00 am to 5.00 pm.
Hours:
Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 4.00 pm (submission of applications)
Monday to Friday, 4.00 pm to 5.00 pm (collection of passports)
Contact details for the Portuguese Embassy in Washington
Address: 2012 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20036
Email: mail@washington.dgaccp.pt or mail@scwas.dgaccp.pt
Telephone: 202 332 3007
Fax: 202 223 3926
Hours: Monday to Tuesday, 8.30 am to 3.30 pm; Wednesday to Friday, 8.30 am to 1.00 pm
Conclusion
Overall, it’s easy to apply for your Portugal visa. It’s done in 5 simple and straightforward steps:
- Complete your application
- Make an appointment
- Prepare your documents for submission to VFS Global or the Portuguese Embassy
- Attend your interview
- Receive your visa
In the end, you’ll hopefully have your visa, so you can get ready to fly off to Portugal!
At Visa Reservation, we strive to simplify the visa process by providing free visa consultations, cover letter templates and no objection letter templates for our clients from US, UK, Canada, Philippines, India, China, UAE, Europe, Nigeria and globally. We also offer flight itinerary for visa, travel medical insurance, hotel reservations for visa , Book Visa Appointment, Travel Guides, Visa Interview Guides and many more. To learn more about how we can help you with our visa services, please feel free to contact us today.
