Introduction
Looking to apply for Portugal Schengen Visa in India? You need not worry as we’ve got you covered in this updated guide.
Portugal At a Glance
Portugal is a successor to the once-majestic Portuguese empire that lasted for over 6 centuries and stretched across the globe with colonies in North and South America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.
Present-day Portugal spreads over an area of 92,212 kilometers-square and is inhabited by 10.28 million people.
This southern European county borders Spain and attracts millions of tourists every year. Its scenic landscape, Algarve’s beaches, and Gothic architecture remain popular tourists’ destinations.
The country offers Portugal Schengen Visa [short-stay visas] and Portugal National Visa [long-stay visas].
Portugal Diplomatic Missions in India
The two diplomatic missions of Portugal, Embassy of Portugal, and the consulate general of Portugal are located in New Delhi and Goa respectively.
The Embassy is available to provide consular assistance and advice to Portuguese citizens who live or are traveling in India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, as well as to all citizens who wish to visit or develop business with Portugal.
How to Apply for Portugal Schengen Visa in India?
Now that you’ve got a quick insight into Portugal’s history and its diplomatic missions in India, let’s discuss the Portugal Schengen Visa application process.
Biometric Data
If you are applying for Portugal Schengen Visa, the first thing that you will do is to submit your biometric data at the nearest visa application center.
The biometric data comprises of scans of all ten fingers and a picture of the face. Once submitted, the biometric data remains valid for a duration of 5 years and can be extracted as many times for the visa application’s purpose as the itinerant wants to.
However, once the 5-year duration expires, the itinerant will have to resubmit data again.
Application form: The application form for the Portugal Schengen Visa can be downloaded from the website. Fill it carefully and do not try to mislead the visa officer by submitting fake information as doing so will not help your cause, rather, the only outcome will be a rejection of your visa application.
Passport: When applying for Schengen Visa, you should have custody of a legal travel document or passport. The passport or any other legal travel document should have at least three-month of expiry date remaining. Likewise, the passport must have at least two blank pages remaining so that the visa officer can mark your arrival and departure dates.
Pictures: You will affix two passport-sized pictures in your visa application form. The pictures must not be blurred and should have taken recently.
Flight Reservation For Visa Application: Your Portugal Schengen Visa application form will be accompanied by a dummy air ticket aka flight reservation for visa application.
As you’re here for information on Portugal Schengen Visa, we recommend attaching a roundtrip flight reservation with your visa application. A roundtrip flight reservation ensures the visa officer that itinerant has no intention whatsoever to prolong his stay in Portugal and once his primary objective of visiting Portugal is over, he will leave the country.
For long-stays visas, always attach a one-way flight reservation.
Hotel Bookings for visa application: As you are applying for a short-stay visa, you have to make arrangements for accommodation in the host nation in advance and this can be done only securing a verifiable hotel booking document.
Travel Health Insurance: When applying for Portugal Schengen Visa, make it sure that you have secured a travel health insurance and attached it with your visa application.
The secured health insurance should provide coverage not less than EUR 30000 or USD 50000. Also, it should cover the whole Schengen Area and the cost of repatriation in a hapless incident of a death.
Means of subsistence: According to the information brought by the European Commission, in order for a foreign national to enter the territory of Portugal it needs to attest owning 40€/day when applying for a Portugal Visa to Portugal Embassy or Consulate. As well, every foreigner, each time entering the territory of Portugal, must be able to provide an amount of 75€.
Cover Letter: Always attach a well-crafted and succinct cover letter with your visa application. Avoid adding unnecessary details and try to keep it as short as you can.
Interview For Switzerland Schengen Visa
Appear for an interview at the embassy or consulate at the given time. Answer all questions honestly and don’t get panic if the visa officer poses a few additional questions or asks for more documents.
Collect Your Visa
If everything goes fine, you shall be awarded a Portugal Schengen Visa. Usually, embassies or consulates take up to 15 days to process the visa application but due to prevailing Covid-19 endemic, the diplomatic missions might take another 4 or 5 days to arrive at a decision on your application.
