Portugal Tourist & Visitor Visas For US Citizens

Once you get to the Portuguese port of entry, your nationality and purpose of entry will determine the documents you need to provide.

This is because an EU/EEA national may only be required to present a passport and identity documents to be allowed into Portugal.

In contrast, non-EEA nationals will be required to present their travel document or passports which must be issued within the last 10 years and valid for a minimum of 3 months beyond their expected date of leaving Portugal.

Also, non-EEA nationals will be required to present their visa.

After you have presented the mentioned documents, the Portuguese border officer may ask you a couple of questions which you must answer. You may be required to support your answers with documents such as, your proof of round-trip ticket or lodging, your invitation letter by your Portuguese host, etc.

Note that the final decision which will determine whether you will be allowed into Portugal rests on the Portuguese border police.

If the border police believe that you pose no threat to the country after going through your documents, you may be allowed to enter the country.

If you do not have a stamp on your passport, you may be detained or fined. Therefore, ensure that your passport is stamped by the Portuguese border officer.

You must meet some requirements to apply for an Airport Transit Schengen visa. Get your:

• Completed regular Short-Stay visa application form that is printed and signed.
• Valid passport with 2 blank pages and below 10 years.
• Two recent photographs that conform to the Schengen visa photo requirements and must have been taken in the last 3 months.
• Evidence of visa fee payment which should amount to Short-Stay visa cost.
• Travel insurance policy that could cover unforeseen medical bills with at least €30,000.
• Documents about the trip to the final destination, including the visa you received from your travel destination (if required) and the reservation of your return flight ticket.

If you are a seafarer and wish to obtain a Portugal Transit visa, you must meet the following requirements. Bring your:

• Two recent photographs that conform to the Schengen visa photo requirements
• Duly completed visa application form signed by you.
• Passport which must be valid 3 months after your expected departure from the Schengen region. And you must have received it within the last 10 years.
• Flight reservation (if required).
• Passport’s data page copies.
• Seaman’s book original and photocopy.
• Travel medical health insurance plan to cover unforeseen medical expenses (including repatriation in case of death) with at least €30,000.
• Evidence of paid visa fee.
• Employment contract which is the contract with the navigation ship/company to be allowed to board the ship.
• Letter issued by the inviting shipping company in Portugal in which you will disembark.

If you wish to visit Portugal as a tourist, you need to meet the requirements for a Tourist/Visitor visa. You must get:

• Evidence of your visa fees cash payments.
• Duly completed visa application form printed and signed.
• Two recent photographs that conform to the Schengen visa photo requirements and were taken within the last 3 months.
• Passport which must be valid 3 months after your expected departure from the Schengen region. It must be issued within the last 10 years and have at least 2 blank pages.
• Document of your round-trip itinerary or reservation bearing entry and exit dates from Portugal.
• Proof of purchased health insurance plan to cover unforeseen medical expenses with at least €30,000.
• Evidence of having a place to stay during your visit to Portugal. This could be your rent agreement if you have rented a place to stay in Portugal. Or your hotel booking which must bear the complete address, name, phone number, and email for your period of stay in Portugal.
• Evidence of having enough funds to cater to your needs throughout your visit in Portugal. For this, you must provide your bank statements, sponsorship letter also known as an affidavit of support (in case you are being sponsored by another person), or a combination of both.
• Tour organizer’s letter, if a tour agency will arrange your travel.
• Evidence of civil status, such as the birth certificate of your children, marriage certificate, spouse’s death certificate, etc.
• Evidence of invitation by your friend or relative who lives in Portugal asking you to visit them. This can be proved by showing an invitation letter which must bear their passport and Portuguese residence permit. Your duration of stay must be stated and the local Municipality must attest to your invitation letter. You may also present a support declaration that a Notary Public in Portugal legalized.
• Evidence of a relationship with your host who lives in Portugal.
• Proof of your employment status.
• Description of your travel to Portugal (Travel itinerary), which places you intend to visit, your travel purpose, and the time frame including your personal information.
• For Minors. A letter of consent and passport photographs of the child’s parents or legal guardian must be provided. Additionally, the child’s birth certificate, custody decree (if the child’s parents are divorced), proof of adoption, and/or parents’ death certificates (if the child’s parents are dead).

Note that you must provide all the required documents for your visit to Portugal as you may risk a refusal if you fail to do so. This is why you need to get in touch with an experienced immigration adviser at Total Law. We have helped many US citizens to visit or migrate to Portugal permanently.

All you need to do is to reach out to us today for expert guidance. Call us today on +1 844 290 6312 or contact us online.

Non-US/EU nationals who want to enter Portugal from the United States for business purposes need to meet the following business visit visa requirements. You must get:

• Duly filled out visa application form printed and signed.
• Two passport-sized photographs that were taken in the last 3 months and conform with the Portuguese visa photo criteria.
• A passport that must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the date you expect to leave Portugal.
• Evidence of purchased health insurance that could cover unforeseen medical expenses with at least €30,000.
• Evidence of a place to stay during your visit to Portugal. This could be your rent agreement, your relative’s house, or hotel booking.
• Your round-trip itinerary or reservation, stating your entry and departure dates and flight numbers.
• Evidence of having enough funds to cater to your needs throughout your business trip in Portugal. For this, you must provide your bank statements, sponsorship letter also known as an affidavit of support (in case you are being sponsored by another person), or a combination of both.
• Your cover letter describing your travel to Portugal, which places you intend to visit, your travel purpose, and the time frame including your personal information.
• A short profile of your workplace.
• Proof of travel expense coverage. It must be clearly stated in your company’s letter or your company’s partner’s letter that one of them will cover all your expenses during your stay in Portugal for business purposes.
• Letter of invitation from the partner company in Portugal which must also be sent to the consulate. This letter must clearly invite you to attend business meetings and events related to work or the industry.
• Letter from your employer describing the reason for your travel and itinerary of the days you will spend in Portugal.

If you wish to study in Portugal, you are required to meet these criteria. You must provide:

• Your two visa application forms that have been completed, printed, and signed.
• Two passport-sized photographs that were taken in the last 3 months and conform with the Portuguese visa photo requirements.
• Evidence of paid visa fee.
• A valid passport that you received within the last 10 years which must be acceptable for at least 3 months beyond the date you expect to leave Portugal.
• Evidence of purchased health insurance that could cover unforeseen medical costs with at least €30,000.
• Biometric information of your passport.
• Old passports tied together with rubber bands (if any).
• Proof of residency.
• Your round-trip itinerary or reservation, stating your entry and departure dates and flight numbers.
• Evidence of accommodation when you get to Portugal such as dormitory contract, rent agreement or letter of invitation from a Portuguese resident willing to let you into their homes.
• Letter of acceptance from a Portuguese educational institution which must bear your name, study type, number of hours weekly and signed.
• Evidence of your academic qualifications such as, academic records, attestation of the application for equivalence, diploma, etc.
• Evidence of sufficient funds to cover your expenses during your study in Portugal. You can prove this through your bank statements, scholarship of at least €631 per month or sponsorship.

Applicants who want to enter Portugal for medical treatment must fulfill the following requirements. They must get:

• Two passport-sized photographs that were taken in the last 3 months and conform with the Portuguese visa photo standard.
• Visa application forms that have been completed, printed, and signed.
• Your travel document or passport.
• Your passport’s data page.
• Travel insurance of at least €30,000.
• Proof of accommodation.
• Proof of civil status.
• Evidence of paid visa fee.
• Evidence of proof of funds such as bank statements, a verbal note from the Ministry of Health of your country, and a letter stating the readiness of the government to pay for the treatment, if the Ministry of Health wants to cover your health expenses.
• Your doctor’s letter declaring that you need medical treatment in Portugal.
• Evidence of financial agreement or advance payment to the Portuguese doctor.
• Evidence of communication between your home country’s doctor and the Portuguese doctor.
• A letter of guarantee that assures the patient can cope with additional costs should unexpected costs come up.
• Official acknowledgment of the medical appointment by a Portuguese hospital.
• Proof of accommodation in the Medical clinic.

You must provide the following requirements if you want to visit Portugal for Cultural/Sports/Film/Crew/Religious purposes. You must provide:

• Valid passport.
• Two passport-sized passport photographs.
• Proof of accommodation.
• Flight reservation.
• Personal cover letter.
• Travel insurance.
• Passport cover page.
• Proof of funds.
• Civil status.

For attending cultural/religious/sports events:

• Event information. All details about the event, such as entry ticket, invitation letter, enrollment condition, etc.
• Proof of attending previous ceremonies, festivals, sports competitions, etc.

For Film Crew:

• A letter bearing shooting location, name, and synopsis of the film.
• List of traveling crew members and their roles.
• Certificate of Registration as a staff in filmmaking.
• A letter confirming details regarding the film permits which you must get from the filmmaking producer or agency.

Your Portugal Schengen visa type and employment status largely determine the kind of documents you will be required to submit. If you are employed, you will provide your leave permission from your employer, income tax return, and employment contract.

If you are self-employed, you must provide the bank statement of your company for the last 6 months, your income tax return, and one copy of your business license. If you are a student, you will provide a no-objection letter from your University and proof of enrollment.

If you are unemployed and are dependent on someone for your economic needs, you must bring a notarized letter from the person accepting to cover your expenses in Portugal. If you are retired, you will provide your recent 6-month bank statement.

Applicants who want to enter Portugal based on official invitations must meet the following requirements. They must get:

• Valid passport.
• Two recent passports.
• Travel insurance.
• Proof of funds through your last 3 months’ bank statement or a verbal note from your country’s Minister stating that the government will cover your expenses.
• Passport cover page.
• Round-trip ticket.
• Letter of invitation from the organization in Portugal.
• Proof of paid visa fee.
• Evidence of accommodation.
• If you have a Diplomatic or Official passport, you must get an Official Note from the Consular Department.

If you want to apply for the Portuguese Short-Stay visa, follow the steps below:

• Choose the type of Portuguese Short-Stay visa that best meets your needs.
• Know where you will submit your application.
• Complete the Short-Stay visa application form.
• Gather all required documents which must meet the standard of the Portuguese embassy or consulate in the US.
• Schedule your visa appointment. You may schedule this interview in person at the embassy/consulate or online depending on the country you live in.
• Attend your interview.

Yes, your Schengen visa can be revoked, if the Portuguese authority finds out that you no longer meet the requirements for obtaining the visa.

After the revocation of your visa, you will be given a deadline to leave Portugal if you are still in the country. You will be regarded as an illegal resident in Portugal if you do not leave the country within the given deadline.

Note that your Schengen visa may also be revoked if you cannot provide the border officer with your entry requirements.