Portugal is breathtakingly beautiful in Europe. Portugal’s cobbled alleyways to the Azores’ volcanic beaches. This tutorial covers how to get Portugal Schengen Visa from US for green card holders. A few things must be considered before you start your quest. Know Portugal’s visa requirements and processing time. Prepare your Portuguese Tourist Visa application and schedule your appointment at the nearest Portuguese Embassy with these essential steps.
Don’t hesitate to use our visa consultation services if you need more information or have any issues applying. Helping you get your visa quickly is our goal.
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Who can Apply for Portugal Schengen visa from US?
In these cases, you can apply for a Portugal Schengen Visa from the US:
- US citizens have been denied visa-free entry to Portugal or other Schengen nations.
- If only visiting Portugal.
- You plan to visit many Schengen countries, but Portugal is your main destination and will take up most of your time.
- To visit various Schengen countries and spend equal time in each. You need a visa if Portugal is your first entry.
- Visas are required to enter the Schengen Area. Lawful US resident required. After leaving Schengen, your residence must be valid for 3 months.
Do US Green Card holders need Portugal Schengen visa?
If you have a green card, you must obtain a Schengen visa before entering Portugal or any other nation in the zone. US green card holders can apply for Portugal Schengen visas depending on their passports. You need a visa to enter Portugal with an Indian passport. Because India doesn’t have a visa liberalization agreement with the EU, you must apply for a US Schengen visa for Portugal.
You can enter Portugal without a Schengen visa if your passport is from a nation with visa liberalization with the EU.
Do US citizen need a Portugal Schengen visa?
No, US citizens can travel Schengen countries without visa for vacation, business, short-term study, cultural or athletic events, or medical treatment, US citizens can visit Portugal visa-free for up to 90 days in 180 days.
Please note that visa-free travel does not ensure Portugal admission. US residents must meet entry requirements. Visas are required for US citizens staying longer than 90 days.
ETIAS Portugal for US Citizen
ETIAS registration is required for US citizens visiting Portugal starting in May 2025. Citizens of visa-exempt countries, including the US, can enter the Schengen Area using ETIAS. It replaces a visa application and lasts 3 years or until your passport expires.
To work, study, or live in Portugal, you’ll need a National (D) Visa.
Portugal Schengen Visa Requirements for US:
2. Valid Passport
3. Two Passport Size Photographs
4. Copies of previous visas if applicable
5. Travel health insurance coverage
6. Flight Reservation for visa
7. Hotel Accommodation: Documentation confirming your place of stay in Netherlands
8. Evidence of your residency
9. Cover Letter
10. Documentation of your financial well-being
11. Civil status proof
12. Employer’s Letter of No Objection
13. Letter of Sponsorship
14. Proof of subsistence
15. Proof of Income
Important documents of your proof of Income
- if you are an employee:
- Most recent pay stub.
- Latest 6 month your bank statements.
- A letter from your current employer or a company by stating your job title, start date and your yearly income and approved time off.
- ITR (Income Tax return) Certificate.
- For self-employed:
- Copy of your company / business license;
- Proof of previous economic activity.
- Latest 6 month bank statement of your company
- company Income Tax return Certificate.
- For retired:
- proof of pension benefits or other regular and sufficient income
- Or Latest 6 month bank statement
- Financial dependent:
- Last joint Income Tax Return or joint bank statements
- Sponsorship Letter
- if you are minor:
- birth certificate and written consent of your parent / guardian
- Written permission from parents or guardians, notarized, to travel abroad.
- Parents or guardians sign the Belgium Schengen visa application form.
- One parent must be there, and the other parent must write permission for the application to be made in his or her place.
- If you are a Student or Researchers
- A certificate from the receiving institution / University by attesting to the duration and intent of the visit Belgium
- Certificate from Home institution / University on enrolment.
- If you are not staying in a hotel, then confirm your accommodations by providing the name, address, and phone number of the lodging facility.
- a letter which should states that all costs are covered, if applicable.
Portugal Schengen Visa Types for US:
Check out the different visa types of Portugal
8. Portugal Visa for Sports, Cultural, or Film Crew
Flight Itinerary for Portugal Schengen Visa
The majority of Portugal consulates require a flight itinerary for visa processing. GDS flight booking systems provide round-trip flight itineraries for visas. Flight itineraries list flight names, routes, prices, and travelers.
Your visa approval does not require a fully paid aircraft ticket. If you do, you may lose some or all of the expense. So applicants should buy fake flight tickets until their visas are approved. When your visa is accepted, you can pay and book flights.
We recommend using FlightGen to plan a trip for consumers without plane tickets. Consider BlinkDocs’ cover letter app.
You can know more about flight itinerary for visa.
Cover Letter for Portugal Schengen Visa
A Portugal Schengen visa requires a cover letter and trip itinerary. Visa cover letters, sent to the Portuguese consulate / embassy / VFS Global visa application center with a Portugal visa application, briefly explain the applicant’s purpose for traveling, employment status, and daily travel plans to support visa approval.
To apply for a Portugal Schengen visa via BlinkDocs App, use the following cover letter format.
Many visas were refused due to missing cover letters. Please consult us to create your cover letter for visa approval.
Know more about cover letter for visa.
Travel Insurance for Portugal Schengen Visa
For US green card holders, travel health insurance is required for Portugal Schengen visa approval. Portugal travel insurance protects against medical expenses and other unforeseen travel disasters.
Before applying for a your visa, you need Schengen-approved travel health insurance. Minimum medical care and emergency hospital stays should be covered by your travel insurance at EUR 30000. It must apply to all Schengen nations. Medical homecoming fees should also be covered.
US citizens can visit Portugal and other Schengen countries without a visa. Tourist medical bills are considerable, therefore you should still buy travel insurance. If you’re staying in Portugal for job or school, get health insurance instead of travel insurance.
Know more about Travel Medical insurance for Portugal Schengen visa here.
How to Apply for Portugal Schengen visa from US?
Follow the below step to apply for your Portugal Schengen visa from US:
- Decide the Portugal visa Type: You need to determine the which type of visa you need for Portugal visa.
- Visa Application Form: You need to complete the application form by filling for your Portugal visa.
- Visa Requirements: Gather all your documents which is essential for your visa
- Set up an appointment: You must set up an appointment at a VFS Global Visa Application Centre to have your fingerprints and photo taken. This is referred to as ‘biometric information’.
- Pay Your visa fees: Please print the cover letter and payment fee receipt once after completing your online application for Portugal visa and paying the visa fee.
- Visit a Visa Application Centre: Submit your completed Portugal visa application form at VFS Visa Application Centre in person.
- Wait for the Visa feedback: Once after visiting your visa appointment, you will have to wait for the your visa feedback from consulate officials.
- Track your visa application: You will be notified by email when the Visa Application Centre has received your choice. You can track your visa application here.
- Collect your passport: You can get your passport from the Visa Application Centre once your visa application has been approved. You have to collect your passport in person.
Where Should I Apply for Portugal Schengen visa from US?
The VFS Global Visa Application Center handles all Portugal Visa Applications in the US. Washington, New York, and San Francisco have VFS visa application centers.
VFS Global visa application centers in the US accept applications and fingerprints for short-term visas such business, visiting, and tourist Schengen visas and residence/work permits for Portugal.
Know more about How to:
- How to apply for Portugal Schengen visa in Washington
- How to apply for Portugal Schengen visa in New York
- How to apply for Portugal Schengen visa in San Francisco
Where Should I make an appointment to get Portugal Schengen visa from US for Green card Holder?
VFS Global collaborates with governments worldwide to help Portugal visa applicants through each step of the application process.
Your visa appointment must be booked online on the local VFS branch’s website. New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, Houston, and San Francisco are the five VFS Visa Application Centers where you can submit your Portugal visa application and documentation.
Find the nearest VFS Global visa application center in your jurisdiction and schedule a Portugal visa application appointment.
When Should I apply for Portugal Schengen visa from US?
You need to know Portugal visa processing time if you want to visit. In extreme circumstances, visa processing can take up to 60 days, so you must apply at least two months before your departure date.
Considering that, decide when to apply for a Schengen visa to visit Portugal.
What is the Processing time for Portugal Schengen visa for US?
The Visa Application processing time is usually 15 days. When consulates receive several applications in certain seasons, Portugal visa processing may take 30–45 days.
Portugal visa processing can take up to 60 days in exceptional situations.
How much fee need to pay for Portugal Schengen Visa?
| Category | Portugal Visa Fee in EUR | Portugal Visa Fee in USD |
|---|---|---|
| Portugal Schengen visa application fee | 80 | 95.45 |
| Portugal Schengen visa fee for children aged between 6-11 years | 40 | 47.72 |
| Fee for children under 6 years | No fee | No fee |
| US residents holding a passport of Armenia, Azerbaijan, or Kosovo | 35 | 38.52 |
| Researchers travelling for the purpose of conducting scientific research or participating in a scientific seminar or conference. | No fee | No fee |
| US residents holding a passport of the Gambia | 120 | 132.07 |
What Should I do If my Portugal visa is Denied?
If your Portuguese Schengen visa application is denied, you can reapply or appeal.
Most visa rejections by the Portuguese Embassy are automatically appealed to the Portuguese Immigration Service. The applicant must appeal individually if this automatic evaluation does not occur. How to appeal will be obvious in the Embassy’s denial letter.
Reopen your application if your Portuguese visa was denied due to insufficient information and the facts and conditions remain unchanged. However, if your visa request has changed, you must reapply.