How to Apply for a Temporary Stay Visa Portugal

Applying for a Temporary Stay Visa

To explain a Temporary stay visa allow entry and stay in Portugal for less than a year. A Temporary stay visa is valid during your entire stay and also allows for several entries, so you could fly back to the UK and back to Portugal again.

There are many types of Temporary Stay Visas so you must first decide which one best fits your situation, see below Visa List.

Who can Apply for Temporary Stay Visa?

This visa is tailored to foreigners who are already in Portugal and wish to extend their stay. So any foreigner who has been admitted into Portugal through the normal Channels and then decides they want to stay in the Country after the usual 90 days allowed as a visitor can apply for and may be granted an extension of stay. 

Applications for the extension of stay or Temporary Stay Visa can be submitted to any of the SEF’s directorate or regional delegation offices, on a standard form extension of stay form. It must be signed by the applicant or his/her legal representative, or you can apply online on the Gov Portal. The documents that you will need are as listed below:

Where do I Apply for Temporary Stay Visa

If you know that you will be outstaying you’re 90 days before travelling to Portugal you can also apply for the Temporary Stay Visa from the UK at the Portuguese Consulate in either London or Manchester.

The SEF has a pre-booking system so you can book an appointment for any of the customer service bureaus either by telephone or online. Schedule a date and time for SEF’s personal customer service.

With so many types of Temporary Stay Visas, it is a good idea to read each one and chose the correct version. Although the application form is standard for all and the same documents are required they will ask for the reason and proof of that reason before issuing.

The Different Types of Temporary Stay Visas

• Temporary residency for permit Employment: For employees seeking to work or looking for work in Portugal.
• Temporary residence permit for self-employment (Business): For starting a commercial business or self-employment, including freelancing activities.
• Temporary residence permits for study: Students wanting to study in Portugal.
• Temporary residence permits for family reunification: If you have family already living in Portugal including spouses, children and parents or others depending on family members can be considered under family reunification.
• Temporary residence permit for teaching professions: For persons willing to exercise a teaching profession in an educational or vocational institute or research centre.
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• Temporary residence permit for highly qualification profession: For highly qualified professionals who wish to work in Portugal can apply for a residency permit subject to the employment contract. 
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• Temporary residence permit for culture promotions: Aimed at people in the entertainment field who wish to work in Portugal as cultural activity or artistic activity. 
• Temporary residence permit for tech visa Program: Designed especially for technical skilled workers and professionals who hold special qualifications in information technology again subject to the employment contract. 
• Temporary residence permit for European companies workers: A visa for administrators or workers of companies established in the state of the European economic area. 
• Temporary residency permits for ICT and transferred workers: Workers of ICT companies who have moved within the company or relocated to Portugal can request a residence
• Temporary residency permits for mobility workers in European: Residence permit for workers who have been transferred to Portugal within a company can request a residence permit

Once you have made your decision you must then get together all the required documents needed for the application and either make an appointment with your local SEF office if you are in Portugal or one of the Portuguese Consulates in the UK.

General documentation required for Temporary Stay Visa

• Official Application form for Temporary Stay Visa
• Passport or another travel document, valid for a further 3 months after the duration of the intended stay
• Two identical passport photographs, up-to-date and in good condition, with proper identification
• Travel document (ie. return ticket)
• Document certifying a third-country national is a normal situation if the applicant is from a different nationality other than that of the country where the visa is being requested
• A Valid travel insurance certificate covering necessary medical expenses which includes emergency assistance and repatriation
• A signed Form authorising access to Portuguese your criminal record by the Immigration and Border Services (SEF)
• Your criminal record from your current country of residence. Which must be for over one year (minors under the age of 16 years are exempt from any criminal record-related documents)
• Proof of accommodation in Portugal
• Proof of means to live, as stipulated by law
• Proof of means to live can be made by a statement of a responsible  Portuguese national or by a foreign national legally residing in Portugal.

It all sounds like a complicated process but it is quite straightforward as long as you have a reason for wanting to stay. The easiest way if you are in Portugal is to arrange an appointment with the SEF and they will guide you in the right direction.

If this visa does not fit your requirements you may consider applying for a Residence Permit or applying for the new Digital Nomad Visa.