Portugal Student Visa From Bangladesh

Valid Bangladeshi Passport

Your Bangladeshi passport is one of the most important documents you must submit when applying for a student visa. It is a document that proves your nationality and identity.

Ensure that the passport you are using was issued within the last 10 years and will still be valid 3 months after your student visa expires. You should have at least an empty page where the Embassy will attach your student visa.

Passport Photograph

You’ll need to attach 2 recent passport photographs to your supporting documents. The photographs must meet the picture requirements of the Embassy. You are supposed to keep a straight face and focus on the camera.

The picture should capture your face and shoulders. The background has to be well-lit and picture unedited. If you use medicated lenses, ensure they don’t reflect the camera light. Finally, the image quality must be a minimum of 600 dpi.

Means of Subsistence 

This one is tricky because the government of Portugal does not specify how much bank balance is required for a Portugal student visa. However, you need to show you have enough money to care for yourself throughout your stay in Portugal without being a burden to the government.

It is advisable that you show you have €45-75 for every day you intend to stay in Portugal. If you are applying for a short-stay student visa, you must prove you have this amount for up to 3 months. If your studies run into years, you must show you have this amount for at least 1 year.

If you are confused about how much proof of funds for a Portugal student visa, you can contact our team at Total Law by calling +44 (0)333 305 9375 or messaging us online. We can assist you in your application, and estimate the amount you need to show in your bank statement depending on the duration of your studies.

Proof of Accommodation

You must prove to the Embassy that you have somewhere to stay when you arrive in Portugal.

To prove this, you can show that:

• Your school gave you accommodation in the dormitory.
• You have an invitation or sponsorship letter from a relative or friend in Portugal.
• You have bought a property in Portugal where you will stay while studying.
• You have rented an apartment in Portugal.
• That you booked a hotel room or an Airbnb.

Letter of Acceptance

Another essential requirement for your student visa is a letter of acceptance from your school. You cannot apply for a student visa if you do not have an offer from a school in Portugal. This letter proves you are genuinely going to Portugal for studies.

Medical Insurance

It is compulsory to show that you have purchased medical insurance that is valid throughout the EU. The medical insurance policy must be enough to cover up to €30,000 in medical expenses.

Criminal Record Certificate

You’ll need to present a criminal record certificate from Bangladesh and every other country where you spent at least 3 months in the past 5 years. This is to prove that you have not served any term in jail due to a criminal offence. The certificate must not have been issued earlier than 90 days before your application date.

Receipt of Visa Fee Payment

Your visa fee payment is made to the Embassy. You must attach evidence that you have paid the visa fees on your supporting document. The fees are payable online, via money order or at the Embassy on the day of document submission.

Visa Application Form

You must complete a visa application form when applying for a student visa. If you are applying for a short-stay student visa, you’ll need to fill out the Schengen or Type C visa application form. You’ll fill out the national visa application form if you are going for a long-stay student visa. These forms are available on the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Marriage and Birth Certificates

You’ll need to present these if you want to travel on a Portugal student visa with your spouse and children.

Evidence that You Have Paid the Tuition Fee

You’ll need to submit proof that you have paid part or all of your tuition fee as stipulated by the school. Upon receipt of your tuition fee, your school will issue you a document you’ll submit to the Embassy.

In place of this, you can submit a document that shows you have sponsorship, scholarship or funding.

Ties to Bangladesh

You must prove that you intend to return to Bangladesh after completing your studies.

You prove this by showing the following:

• Booked flight tickets to and from Portugal.
• Employment letter with a business letterhead indicating you have a job you’ll return to once you finish studying.
• Documents showing you have properties in Bangladesh that you must look after when you return.
• Business licence showing you have a business you will return to run.
• Birth and marriage certificates showing you have family in Bangladesh.

It is important to note that you’ll have to translate and certify your documents if they are not in English or Portuguese. If you have your documents in Bengali, you’ll need the services of a certified Portuguese translator. This can be done through the Portuguese Embassy.

Put Your Documents Together

This is the most crucial step in this process. You must ensure you have all the documents before starting the application. Note that one of the major reasons visas are refused is due to incomplete or erroneous documentation. So, take your time to prepare your documents.

Use the checklist above to prepare the documents you need to submit. Should you need help gathering your documents, you can call Total Law at +44 (0)333 305 9375 or message us online.

Complete the Student Visa Application Form

Go to the website of the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and apply for the relevant visa. You must complete the Schengen visa form if you are going for a short-stay student visa. Complete the national visa form if you are applying for a long-stay student visa.

Pay the Visa Fees

After filling out the form, you can now pay the visa fees. Attach proof of payment to your other supporting documents and schedule a meeting with the Embassy.

Get in Touch with the Portuguese Embassy

Citizens of Bangladesh will have to go to India for consular services from Portugal. The consular section of the Portuguese Embassy in India handles visa applications for citizens of Bangladesh. You can find the Embassy at No.4, Panchsheel Marg Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021, India.

Note that the Embassy does not accept walk-in submissions. You have to call, mail or schedule your document submission online. On the due date, take your document to the Embassy. Remember, if you intend to travel with your family or have them join you later, specify this to avoid immigration problems.

You can also pay the visa fees at the Embassy; ensure you attach the receipt before handing over your documents to the officials.

Collect Your Visa

The Embassy will notify you when your visa is ready if your application is successful.

You will get a Schengen visa if you apply for a short-stay student visa. But you will get a residency visa if you apply for a long-stay student visa.

Get Your Residence Permit

Upon getting into Portugal, you must schedule a meeting with the SEF to convert the residency visa to a residence permit. You have to do this within 3 months of entering Portugal.

When applying for a residence permit, you need to submit the documents you submitted when applying for the visa from Bangladesh.

Settle in Portugal

If you get your residence permit, you can apply for an NIF number at any tax office near you. Afterwards, walk into any bank you choose and open a bank account.