Visa for Portugal From South Africa
South African citizens or passport holders can apply for Portugal Schengen (Short-Stay) visas for Tourism or Business. Applicants must submit their applications at the VFS Global application centres in South Africa.
Get in touch today with us at Total Law if you want us to help you with your visa application for Portugal from South Africa or any other immigration-related questions you may have. Call us today on +44 (0)333 305 9375 or contact us online.
Visa for Portugal From South Africa Overview
The Portugal Schengen visa is designed for South African citizens and other foreign nationals whose countries do not have visa-free arrangements with Portugal. South African citizens and residents who have obtained a Schengen visa may be permitted to enter 27 European countries in the Schengen region.
Holders of Schengen visas are allowed to stay for 90 days in Portugal or in any other country in the Schengen region. You must meet the Portugal Schengen visa requirements before you can apply for the Portuguese visa.
In order to enter the Schengen region, South African citizens or passport holders need to submit their visa application for a Portugal visa at the VFS Global centres located in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria or Durban.
Page Contents
- Visa for Portugal From South Africa Overview
- Types of Portugal Visas
- The Validity of a Portugal Visas
- Cost of Portugal Visas
- Portugal Visa Requirements for South African Citizens
- Visa Application For Portugal From South Africa
- How Long Does it Take to Get a Portugal Visa?
- What To Do If Your Portugal Visa Application Is Rejected
- How Can Total Law Help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Types of Portugal Visas
Here are the types of Portugal Schengen visas available for South Africans:
Tourist Visa
The Tourist visa is a Portugal Schengen visa type designed for South African citizens who would like to visit Portugal for pleasure, to visit family or attend work seminars.
You are required to apply for the Portugal Schengen visa in person. With the Portuguese Tourist visa, you are allowed to travel without restrictions to any of the other 26 countries inside the Schengen region.
This is in line with the Schengen Agreement that encourages each member state to have a unified Tourist visa (Schengen visa).
Business Visa
South African citizens can apply for the Business visa which is also a Portugal Schengen (Short-Stay) visa type. With this visa, you are allowed to enter Portugal and engage in your company’s activities for work purposes. This visa is also called the Portugal Schengen Business visa.
Both Tourist and Business visas allow for single, double or multiple entries into Portugal depending on how many times you wish to enter and leave Portugal during your tour or business.
The Validity of a Portugal Visas
Both Tourist and Business visas are categorised under the Portugal Schengen visa, which is also known as Short-Stay visas. They are valid for 90 days and within a period of 6 months.
Cost of Portugal Visas
Here is the cost of Portugal visas:
- Children under the age of 6 are exempted from Schengen visa fee payment
- Children between the ages of 6 to 12 have to pay a Schengen visa fee of €40
- The Schengen visa fee for South African adult citizens is €80
Applicants need to pay the Portugal Schengen visa fee in South African Rand when they submit their Schengen visa application at the Portuguese embassy or consulate or visa application centre in South Africa.
Portugal Visa Requirements for South African Citizens
To apply for a Portuguese visa, you need to meet some requirements. You need to provide:
- Your valid passport that is not older than 10 years with 2 blank pages where the visa will be placed. It should also have at least 3 more months beyond your proposed date to leave Portugal and the whole of Schengen territory.
- Two passport photos that are identical and meet the Portuguese Schengen visa application requirements.
- Copies of previous visas if you have ever obtained a visa to any other country.
- Portuguese visa application form duly filled with all needed information.
- Flight itinerary showing booked flights to and from Portugal, including your details, flight numbers and dates.
- Proof of accommodation such as a hotel reservation in Portugal.
- Proof of enough funds to meet your needs while you’re in Portugal.
- A cover letter stating the reason for your proposed visit to Portugal, your planned duration of stay, when you intend to leave and other details.
- Portugal travel health insurance. Showing that you have travel insurance of at least €30,000 for medical emergencies in Portugal.
- Proof of civil status.
It should be noted that you may be required to provide additional documents depending on your occupational status or unique situation. Therefore we recommend you seek expert guidance from our immigration advisers at Total Law.
We will help you assemble all required documents for the specific visa type that best meets your travel purpose. Call us today on +44 (0)333 305 9375 or contact us online.
Visa Application For Portugal From South Africa
South African citizens need to follow a step-by-step guide in order to apply for their Portuguese Schengen visa from South Africa. The steps include:
Step 1. Choose Your Visa Type
The first thing to do is to choose the visa type you need. You may need to choose a Portuguese Tourist or Business visa if you plan to stay in Portugal for no more than 90 days. You need to choose a specific visa type as each visa is designed for a particular travel purpose.
Step 2. Fill Out the Application
Visit the consular website, download, and fill out the visa application form which is available for free. Ensure you complete the form without omissions or mistakes as it could risk your visa application refusal or unnecessary delays.
Step 3. Pay the Visa Fee
Make payment for your visa after you have completed your application form. It must be noted that visa fees might change at any time, therefore before applying ensure you check the latest fees as any payment made is nonrefundable.
You can pay your visa fee at the South African VFS Global visa application centre closest to you in South Africa with your debit, credit card or cash.
Step 4. Book Your Visa Appointment
Once you’re done paying your visa fee, you need to book an appointment at the VFS Global visa application centre closest to you to submit your biometric information (fingerprints and photographs). An appointment confirmation email and letter of appointment will be sent to you and you must bring them to the application centre.
Step 5. Submit Documents
Once you’re done providing all the required documents, made payments and booked an appointment at the visa application centre, then submit your visa application.
Step 6. Visa Processing
The immigration officers will review your Portugal visa application, passport and other documents you have submitted. After this review, based on the information provided in your application your visa application will either be approved or denied.
Step 7. Get Your Visa
If your application was granted, you will then proceed to the Portuguese embassy or consulate to collect your visa.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Portugal Visa?
It takes the embassy about 15 days from the day of receiving your application to process it. The time it takes to get your Portugal visa may be longer depending on whether you have provided all required documents.
Another factor that could delay the processing time may be if you applied during the holiday season which has more applications.
What To Do If Your Portugal Visa Application Is Rejected
There are so many reasons that could cause your application to be rejected, which include inadequate health insurance, criminal record, exclusion of old visa copies, insufficient funds, etc.
If your visa application is rejected you should reapply or appeal the decision.
You can appeal the decision of your application refusal if you believe that it was unreasonable. You only have 15 days (starting from the day of your visa application rejection) to make an appeal.
Seek an immigration adviser’s expert guidance on how to make a compelling visa application rejection. Reach out to us on +44 (0)333 305 9375 or contact us online.
How Can Total Law Help?
South African citizens can apply for the Portugal Schengen visa types from South Africa. To do this, applicants need to meet the requirements to obtain the visa.
You might risk a refusal of your application if you apply too early or late. Also, errors and omissions when filling out your visa application form might cause your application to be refused.
We recommend you reach out to one of our immigration lawyers at Total Law.
For more information on how we can help you to get a visa for Portugal from South Africa, or details about other services we offer, reach out to our immigration advisers at Total Law. We can help you to get a Portugal Schengen visa from South Africa. Call us on +44 (0)333 305 9375 or contact us online.
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Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you need to book an appointment at a VFS Global visa application centre to submit your biometric information for a Portugal visa from South Africa.
No, you cannot work in Portugal on a Tourist visa as a South African. You need to apply for a specific visa that would allow you to stay and work in Portugal. Reach out to our immigration advisers at Total Law on how to go about it.
Yes, if you’re a South African that has obtained a residence permit to study in Portugal, you are permitted to work full-time during semester breaks/holidays and up to 20 hours per week.