Study In Portugal From UAE

As Portugal is considered one of the least expensive countries in Western Europe to live in, the demand for higher education from foreign students has risen in recent years.

Offering an excellent educational system. Portugal is famous for applying the European Bologna System which makes it an exciting destination for higher studies, shared between the 14 universities situated in the country.

The Portuguese government has made agreements with several countries, including the UAE, allowing their citizens to visit Portugal without needing a Short Stay Visa (no longer than three months).

However, as a UAE national, if your study course is longer than three months and you plan on staying in the country for this period you will have to apply for a Long-term Visa before travelling to Portugal. Once you’ve entered the country you will then have to apply for a Portuguese Residence Permit.

Page Contents

• Study In Portugal From UAE Overview
• Portugal Student Visa Requirements For UAE Citizens
• Portugal Student Visa Costs
• How to Apply for a Portugal Student Visa From UAE
• Student Resident Permit in Portugal
• Typical Processing Time for a Portugal Student Visa
• Can I Bring Dependents to Portugal?
• Post Studies: Can I Remain In Portugal?
• Portugal Student Visa and Working
• Permanent Residency in Portugal After Graduation
• How can Total Law Help?
• FAQ

There are a number of key documents you will need in order to apply for a Long-term Student Visa:

• Valid passport or other travel document.

• Proof of Acceptance from your university, usually a letter.
• Evidence of paid tuition fees or a document of scholarship.
• Two recent passport-size pictures.
• Application for a student visa for Portugal
• Proof of enough financial means to fund your stay. Usually those would be bank statements or other equivalent that would be able to adequately prove you can cover your expenses in Portugal while studying.

• Evidence of accommodation in Portugal such as a lease agreement, housing documentation from your university, or an invitation letter from a relative or friend in Portugal who you will be living with.
• Certificate of Criminal Records.
• Proof of Schengen travel health insurance. Upon your arrival in Portugal, you will then have to get local health insurance.
• Travel ticket or reservation for travelling to Portugal

There aren’t any specific language proficiency requirements in order to obtain a Portuguese Student Visa. However, you will need to provide proof of language proficiency when applying to be accepted in the university itself. This will differ depending on the course you are applying for, but if you are applying for a course that is being taught in English, you will need to show proof of one of the following standards:

• IELTS
• TOEFL
• C1 Advanced

There are typically three types of Portuguese student visas:

Short Stay Student Visas – for courses lasting less than three months

Temporary Stay Student Visas – for courses lasting between three months to a year

Long Stay Student Visas – for courses and programs lasting more than a year, including all degrees and Ph.D. programs

The Portuguese Residence Visa is valid for longer than 12 months.

If you are not completely sure which type of visa will best suit your situation, or would like to receive professional help with the application process, call us today at  +44 (0)333 305 9375. Our agents at Total Law will go over all necessary details and documents needed for a smooth application process.

The costs for Portuguese visas may vary, once you contact your embassy they will provide a more accurate sum.

Short Stay Student Visas: Adults and children over 12 will need to pay €80. Children aged 6–12, €40. €75 will be paid for the entry visa if this is required. And another €90 for the temporary residence permit.

Long Stay Portuguese Student Visa: €90 is the entry visa, if needed, and €108 for the long-term Residence Permit. The SEF website can provide more detailed information on all visa fees.

UAE citizens should submit their visa application at the Embassy of Portugal in Abu Dhabi. You must have your Letter of Acceptance from your university. Here are the steps leading to the application process:

• Make an appointment for an interview with the Embassy.
• Fill in the Portugal Student Visa application form.
• Get a hold of all required documents.
• Pay the visa fees, but your Embassy will inform you of the payment method and total sum.
• You will have to submit all required documents on the date of your scheduled appointment.
• You will then have to be patient and wait.
• Once you’ve received your visa you will then be able to travel to Portugal.
• Once you arrive in Portugal, you will have to schedule an appointment with the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) in order to obtain your residence permit. The residence permit is important as it allows you to live in Portugal for the period of time you will be there, usually renewed every year.

When scheduling your appointment with the embassy in your own country, try and go for the earliest date possible. In the meantime, you might be asked to attend an interview, so keep an eye on your email and phone. Double-check all health requirements such as vaccinations or recovery certificates.

As UAE citizens, within 3 months of your arrival in Portugal, you will need to obtain your residence authorization. You can apply for it at the SEF office of the city you reside in.

The documents needed for the Residence Permit are pretty similar to those you have collected for the visa. Once you have made your appointment with the SEF online services you should prepare the following documents:

• Valid passport and a copy
• Two recent passport-sized photos
• Proof of your financial means
• Proof of accommodation
• Current medical insurance

Letter of Acceptance from your university and proof that you have paid any necessary tuition fee.

The usual visa processing period is up to 60 days. On rare occasions, it may take up to three months. Therefore, make sure to start applying as soon as you receive your Letter of Acceptance from your university.

Residing in Portugal with a Student Visa does mean you can bring your dependent family with you. But you must be able to prove you have the financial means to support them and they must be a domestic partner or sponsor, minor children or an unmarried adult child who is dependent on you due to illness or a disability.

Your family is able to apply for a visa with you which means you will be able to travel together or they can wait for you to settle in Portugal so they can apply for a reunification visa.

There are some requirements you must first meet in order for your family to be able to come with you in Portugal.

You will have to request an authorisation for family reunification from SEF and this application can take up to 60 days to be processed.

After the application has been successful, your family has 90 days to apply for a visa in the Portuguese embassy in their country or make an appointment in Portugal if they are already there, with the SEF bureau. Processing the application can take from three to six months.

There are some documents your family members must provide: 

• Proof of SEF’s approval of the authorisation request 
• Two recent photos
• Evidence of your family connection to you (such as birth certificate)
• Passport or ID of both you and your family members
• Proof of accommodation
• Proof of financial means with which you will be able to support all parties
• Criminal record issued in your country of origin – not valid for minor children under the age of 16
• All documents that have been issued in a foreign country must be translated in Portuguese from Portuguese notary.

Visa costs 

• The visa for your family will cost €90 for adults.
• The family visa has the same duration as your own.

With the family visa your family members will be able to attend primary and secondary school; study and work in Portugal; have access to the country’s social net, healthcare and the social security system.

You will be able to stay and work in Portugal after your studies have concluded and your Student Visa has expired, however, you must have a job offer. You must apply for the Work Visa before your student one expires, this must be done 30 days before the Student Visa actually expires otherwise the SEF will not accept your application.

If your Student Visa has expired before you have applied for your Working Visa, you should return to your home country and apply for a Working Visa from there.

An adequate job offer does not come from an employer only. A Residence Permit for Work can come from self-employment such as freelancer or by starting a business. If you are a UAE citizen who is also a highly-skilled worker, you can apply for the EU Blue Card.

As a UAE citizen with a Student Residence Permit, you can work only part time up to 20 hours per week. But you are allowed to work full-time during summer breaks and holidays.

If you are staying for less than 90 days (about 3 months), and are holding a Short-term Visa, you cannot work at all. But before partaking in any employment activities, you must first inform the SEF.

If you have a scholarship, you must double-check your conditions first, before applying to work. Keep in mind, you might need to pay taxes and social security, depending on your salary.

It is important to note that your time in Portugal as a student does not count towards a Permanent Residency.

If you wish to become a permanent resident of Portugal, you must get a job offer, switch to a Temporary Residence Permit for Work, valid for a year and can be renewed for up to five years. After that, you can apply for Permanent Residency and eventually citizenship.