Portugal, with its stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant cities, has become an increasingly popular destination for travelers from around the world. For Qatar residents planning to explore the charm of Lisbon, the beauty of Porto, or the allure of the Algarve, obtaining a visa is a crucial first step.
In this article, we will guide you through the essential steps to apply for a Portugal visa from Qatar. From understanding the different types of visas available to gathering necessary documents and scheduling appointments, we’ll provide you with a clear and concise roadmap to ensure your application is successful. Whether you’re planning a short visit for tourism, business, or family visits, this guide will help you tackle the process with confidence and ease.
What is a Schengen Visa?
This is a short-term visa for non-EU nationals that allows them to stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. As long as Schengen area entry requirements are met, Schengen visa holders are allowed to travel freely between the following participating countries:
Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Steps to apply for a Portugal Visa from Qatar
Below are the main steps to apply for a Portugal visa from Qatar:
- Step 1: Choose a suitable visa type.
- Step 2: Gather the required documents.
- Step 3: Fill up the online application.
- Step 4: Book an appointment at the Visa Application Centre.
- Step 5: Pay the visa fee.
- Step 6: Visit the Visa Application Centre for your appointment.
- Step 7: Track you application.
- Step 8: Collect your passport.
Now, let’s see these steps in detail:
Step 1: Choose a suitable visa type
First, you need to identify the type of visa you need to apply for. This article focuses solely on short-term visa categories. For Qatar residents, Portugal offers the following short-term visa categories:
1. Tourist Schengen Visa: Portugal issues the Tourist Visa for individuals who wish to visit the country for leisure, sightseeing, or other non-business related activities. This visa allows for a stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. It is intended for those who want to explore Portugal’s cultural and natural attractions.
2. Business Schengen Visa: For those traveling to Portugal for business purposes, a Business Visa is available. This visa facilitates short-term stays for attending meetings, conferences, or negotiating business deals. Like the tourist visa, it permits stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
3. Transit Schengen Visa: The transit visa is for temporary stays in Portugal while transiting through the airport on your way to a third country. It is the shortest visa available for travel from Qatar to Portugal.
4. Schengen Student Visa: The study visa for Portugal from Qatar is issued for both short-term and long-term stays, depending on the purpose and duration of the courses, diploma, or degree. For short courses, the visa validity will be 3-6 months. For courses lasting 6 months or more, a long-term visa will be required.
5. Medical Schengen Visa: This visa is commonly applied for short-term stays or medical check-ups of up to 3 months. It is extendable, allowing for a longer stay in Portugal if needed.
Step 2: Gather the required documents
The documents required will vary depending on the type of visa. The following documents are required for Tourist Schengen Visa.
1. Schengen Application Form
- The visa application form should be downloaded and filled up digitally.
- Handwritten forms are not accepted.
- Download visa application form here.
2. Passport
- The passport should be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure from Portugal.
- It should have at least two blank pages.
- All the details on it will be clear and relevant
3. Employment Letter
- A letter from the sponsor, addressed to the Portuguese Embassy in Doha.
- It should clearly outline the applicant’s monthly salary and position within the company.
- It should also state the purpose of the trip, and the starting date and duration of the professional contract.
- Additionally, the letter must include a statement guaranteeing the applicant’s return to Qatar after the trip.
4. Travel Insurance
- The travel insurance policy certificate must be provided and include the name of the insured person and the policy number.
- The amount of coverage should be at least €30,000.
- The duration of coverage must encompass the entire trip period.
- Additionally, the policy must cover the entire Schengen territory, and the term “SCHENGEN” must be clearly stated on the certificate.
5. Passport-sized Photos
- Submit 2 identical passport-size photos, freshly captured within 6 months.
- White background, no covered face, dimension 35mm to 45mm.
6. Accommodation Proof
- A place to stay or accommodation in Portugal.
- A flat, rental house, rental room, shared place, sponsored residence, hotel, or hostel.
7. Flight Reservation
- Book two tickets to attach with the documents.
- Dummy ticket is acceptable.
- Or Reserve flight tickets for visa application.
- One for departure and another for arrival.
8. Proof of Funds
- Bank statements, payslips, or a letter of employment to demonstrate you can support yourself during your stay.
9. Photocopies of Passport and valid QID
- Photocopies of passport and Qatar ID are required during your appointment.
For business visa, an invitation must be presented detailing the purpose of the journey, the dates of arrival and departure, and the name of the host responsible for the invitation. If participating in political, economic, scientific, cultural, or sports events, you should provide proof of enrollment in the event.
For medical visa, you need to provide approval from the competent Qatari authorities (such as the Supreme Council of Health) for flight and medical treatment costs, or alternatively, a bank statement from the last three months if you are covering the costs yourself. Additionally, if possible, include confirmation of your hospital or doctor appointment.
Step 3: Fill up the online application
When you are ready to apply, download the visa application form, complete it, print the finished form, and take it along with the required documents for your chosen visa category to the Visa Application Centre for submission.
Step 4: Book an appointment with VFS
VFS Global is the entity responsible for receiving the visa applications from Qatari residents planning to travel to Portugal. After completing the application form, book an appointment at the VFS visa application centre. If you are part of a family or group, you’ll have to book individual appointments for each member of the family or group.
Step 5: Pay the visa fee
After submitting your application, you will need to pay the visa application fee. You can pay the visa fee directly at the Visa Application Centre.
The visa fees for short stays (for tourism, business, conference, fair exhibitor, seamen, study, visiting friends, and airport transit) is 90 Euro (QAR 352). For children aged 6 to 12 years, the fee is 45 Euro (QAR 176), while for children aged 0 to 6 years, there is no fee.
Step 6: Visit the Visa Application Centre
The VFS Visa Application Centre in Doha is open from Sunday to Thursday, 9 am to 5 pm. Aim to arrive 15 minutes before your appointment. Only applicants and one parent/caregiver accompanying a child under 18 years are permitted to enter the Visa Application Centre.
At the centre, you will be required to submit all documents. You will also need to provide your fingerprints and photograph, a process known as biometric information collection.
Step 7: Track you application
After submitting every document, visa application, and visa fee, you have to wait for a decision from the Embassy.
You can track the status of your visa application online using the Reference Number from the invoice or receipt issued by the Visa Application Centre, along with your last name.
Step 8: Collect your passport
Once a decision has been made on your visa application, you can either collect your passport from the Visa Application Centre or have it returned to you by courier for an additional fee.
Portugal Visa Processing Time
Typically, a Visit/Tourist visa takes about 15 days to process, though this can vary depending on the visa type. Business, Study, and Work visas may take longer, ranging from 2 months to 4 months, and in some cases, up to 6 months.
If you have any queries about applying Portugal visa from Qatar or need to book a visa appointment, you can consult the VFS Global website. Contact details are as below:
Website: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/qat/en/prt/
Phone number: + 974 4423 1398
Email: [email protected]
Address: 1st floor, Al Nuaimi Building, Next to Oqba Bin Nafea Metro Station, Airport Road Zone No 45 (See map).
Note: If you are visiting multiple Schengen countries and Portugal is the main country where you plan to spend the most time or your point of entry, it makes sense to apply for a Portuguese Schengen visa. If another country will be your primary destination, you should apply for a visa from that country instead.
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