Portugal Visa From India – How to Apply for Portuguese Schengen Visa Application Requirements Guide

Portugal is one of the most popular Schengen countries to visit. Most people travel to the Algarve with its sandy beaches, perfect for relaxing, and cities, like Albufeira and Faro, with all the usual tourist amenities to enjoy. Other destinations in Portugal that are worth the time and money include the Coa Valley – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and Peneda-Geres national park, both excellent choices for experiencing the wonderful outdoors! In this article, learn more about how to apply for a Portugal visa from India, Portugal visa appointment booking, processing time at the Portugal visa application center, flight itinerary for a Portugal visa, hotel bookings for a Portugal visa, Schengen travel insurance for a Portugal visa application, and Portugal visa application process in India.

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Portugal Schengen Visas

The Embassy of Portugal in New Delhi received 418 applications and rejected 105. The Consulate of Portugal in Goa received 180 applications and rejected 50. In 2021, a total of 47,415 applications for Portugal were received and 5,610 were rejected by embassies around the world.

Applying for a Portugal Schengen Visa from India

The embassy and consulate have outsourced the receipt of visa applications to VFS Global which means that when you come to apply for your visa, you will submit your application to your closest VFS Global office (see below for contact details).

Visa applications are usually processed within 15 days, so you should submit your application at least 15 days before you travel. However, it could take longer to get a decision if the embassy has to make further checks, so it’s best to apply as soon as possible. You can apply up to 6 months in advance, so don’t leave it too late.

Types of Schengen visas offered at The Embassy of Portugal in India

There are 2 types of visas you can apply for and it is your responsibility to choose the right one:

1. Short-term visa (Schengen) – for a maximum of 90 days for business, conference, visiting relatives/friends, tourism etc
2. Long-term visa (National) – for stays over 90 days for employment, study/training, family reunion, medical treatment etc. See the embassy’s website for more information

How Can I Apply for a Portugal Schengen Visa from VFS Global in India?

To help you to apply for your visa, follow these steps:

1. Step 1 – Identify visa type
2. Step 2 – Begin your application
3. Step 3 – Book an appointment
4. Step 4 – Pay your fees
5. Step 5 – Visit a Visa Application Center
6. Step 6 – Track your application
7. Step 7 – Collect your passport

Step 1 – Identify visa type

Go to VFS Global’s website and click on “Start now”:

Go to “step 1 – identify visa type” and click on the link:

Select the visa you are applying for:

You can then see everything there is to know about that type of visa. Read this information fully before moving to step 2:

Step 2 – Begin your application

Once you are familiar with the visa requirements, you should begin your application. You can download the visa application to complete. However, if you fall under the jurisdiction of the consulate in Goa (see above), you need to complete an online application. Go to “step 2” and click on the relevant link:

For those who are downloading the application, click on the link to “download forms”:

Click on the link:

For those who need to complete an online application, you will need to register and create an account before you log in and complete the application:

In both cases, when you have finished completing the form, print it out, sign it and take it to VFS for submission.

Step 3 – Book an appointment

Making appointments with the embassy, consulate 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 how to get this done yourself then not to worry, we will make the appointment for you for a small service fee!

Booking a visa appointment using our services is pretty simple! All you have to do is follow the 3 simple steps below:

1. Visit the link to schedule the visa appointment
2. Submit the appointment details, the visa you are applying for, consulate you need the appointment for, the country you need the appointment IN and make the payment
3. Receive appointment confirmation in email

You can also make an appointment on your own by following the steps below.

1. Go to VFS Global’s website and click on “start now”
2. Go to “step 3” and click on the link to book an appointment
3. On the next page, click on “book now”
4. Create an account and then log in
5. Make your appointment
6. Receive an e-mail confirming your appointment, with a confirmation letter attached

Step 4 – Pay your fees

Refer to the checklists for fees as they can be different for each type of visa.

Please Note:

1. The visa fees are paid in Indian Rupees and are non-refundable
2. All VFS Service Charges are inclusive of Goods and Service Tax – SGST @ 9% and CGST @ 9%
3. There is a mandatory service charge of INR 2565
4. There is a mandatory courier fee of INR 450
5. All fees can be paid by cash/Visa/Master Card/Rupay

Step 5 – Visit a visa application center

When you attend VFS Global for your appointment:

1. Arrive in time for your appointment (at least 15 minutes ahead). If you miss your appointment on the scheduled day, you will need to book a new appointment after 24 hours from your original appointment date
2. You must submit your application in person. You cannot send someone in your place
3. Take a printed copy of your visa application, 2D barcoded sheets (2 copies), passport bio page (2 copies), as well as a valid passport or travel document with at least 2 pages that are blank on both sides
4. You must take a complete set of all supporting documents (an original and a copy for each document)
5. If you have not paid your visa fee online, you can pay your fee at the center
6. You will also provide biometric information collection. A scanner collects images of all 10 digits, and you will have a photo taken. Without biometrics, your visa application will not be processed

You may also be asked questions about your application. Typical questions include:

1. Are you going to work in Portugal?
2. When are you returning to India?
3. Are you married?
4. How will you fund your trip?

Don’t jeopardize your Schengen visa interview at the last minute. Use this comprehensive and thorough visa interview guide to crack the visa interview!

Step 6 – Track your application

You can track your application to get an update on its progress. To do this, go to “step 6” and click on the link:

Key in the VFS reference number and your date of birth:

Step 7 – Collect your passport

There are different reasons why an application may get rejected:

1. Insufficient funds – you must be able to afford your trip as well as the return to India. You should submit proof of this, for example, your bank statements and salary slips
2. Travel insurance not adequate – your travel insurance should cover at least 30,000 Euros and cover against certain risks (see below)
3. No sponsorship letter – if you are being sponsored to go to Portugal by an individual or a company, you need to provide a sponsorship letter
4. Copies of old visas not included – sometimes the embassy/consulate will ask you to provide copies of old visas. If they do, then you must include them in your supporting documents

Documents Required

There are document checklists on VFS Global’s website, so you should refer to these when getting your documents together. You also need to submit the checklist along with your visa application and supporting documents.

You should also submit photocopies along with original documents.

Documents include:

1. Application form completely filled and signed/Online visa application form if you are under the jurisdiction of the Consulate General of Portugal, Goa
   
2. One or two (depending on the embassy/consulate’s requirements) recent (not older than six months) passport-size photograph (s) in color with white background, 3.5cm/4.5cm) (see full photograph specifications)
3. Cover letter – explaining the purpose of the visit, duration and itinerary of the visit in brief. Refer to the checklist for full details
4. Clear photocopy of first and last page of the passport and copy of previous Schengen visa and U.K or U.S valid visa (if applicable)
5. Copy of refusal notification of previously denied Schengen visas (if applicable)
6. Employment letter and leave approval letter. Also, name with address and contacts of host/hotel accommodation in Portugal. If self-employed – purpose of the visit & itinerary
7. Reservation of return flight travel ticket
8. Proof of internal travel (if applicable) – air tickets/bus reservations/train bookings/car rental
9. Overseas travel medical insurance – valid for all Schengen countries. Minimum cover 30,000 Euros for all risks e.g. accident, illness, medical emergency evacuation, loss of baggage, etc. Has to cover the entire duration of the trip
   
10. Proof of Accommodation such as hotel reservations
11. Proof of sufficient funds to cover all expenses while in Portugal – salary slips for the last 3 months (if employed).; bank statements for the last 6 months; Indian Income Tax Return for the last 3 years; Pan card
12. Sponsorship proof – notarized sponsorship letter from India/Portugal
13. Foreign nationals residing in India must submit valid permit to return to India
14. For minors – permission to travel from the parent(s) & parent’s ID
15. Passport – should be valid for at least three months beyond the intended stay in Portugal with at least two blank pages to affix the visa.
16. Copy of the bio-pages (first and last page) of the passport 
17. Copies of all the pages that contain visas
18. Invitation proof from Portugal – Termo de Responsabilidade from invitee in Portugal mentioning the details of the stay in Portugal & invitees passport/residential permit & bank  statement for the last 1 year of the sponsor

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:

1. Visit the Visa Reservation website to choose the right package
2. Submit the travel details and make the payment online
3. Receive flight itinerary in email

COVID Regulations

As of July 1, 2022, passengers entering Portugal are no longer required to present proof of carrying out a test to screen for SARS-CoV-2 infection with a negative result or to present a COVID-EU digital certificate or vaccination or recovery certificate. However, before traveling, it is important to check the entry requirements.

How to contact VFS Global in India

Please contact VFS Global for any information regarding Portugal visa process:

Contact Number: 022-67866070 08:00 hrs – 17:00 hrs (Monday – Friday)

Email Address: infonorth.ptin@vfshelpline.com

Conclusion

To apply for a Portugal visa from the Embassy of Portugal in India, follow these simple steps:

1. Step 1 – Identify visa type
2. Step 2 – Begin your application
3. Step 3 – Book an appointment
4. Step 4 – Pay your fees
5. Step 5 – Visit a Visa Application Center
6. Step 6 – Track your application
7. Step 7 – Collect your passport