Visa

Visa Information for Non-EU Exchange Students
If you're an exchange student coming from outside the European Union, you are required to obtain a visa for your period of stay in Portugal.

What type of visa do you need?
Students participating in:

  • Study programs
  • Student exchange
  • Training
  • Unpaid internships
  • Volunteer work

…should apply for a Temporary Stay Visa.

Temporary Stay Visas are:

  • Valid for stays of less than one year
  • Multi-entry, allowing you to travel in and out of Portugal during the period of stay
  • Valid for the entire duration of your approved program

Important Steps After Your Visa Is Issued
Once your visa has been approved, follow these steps:

  1. Register on the SEF Portal
    Register your visa on the official SEF (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras) portal: Register here
    You can use your VISA number to:
    1. Confirm that your visa has been issued
    2. Check for any updates or instructions
  2. Check for Your Residence Permit Appointment
    In many cases, your visa may already include a link to your scheduled residence permit appointment.
    Look for this in the "Observations" section of your visa — the link usually:
    1. Begins with http://
    2. Ends with a unique number
      Example:
      http://www.sef.pt/Contactos.aspx?sid=example123456
      Copy and paste the link into your browser to view your appointment schedule.

Need More Information?
For full details on visa types and application procedures, please visit: vistos.mne.gov.pt – Type of Visa