Plan Your Trip with a Portugal Visit Visa from Bangladesh
Laura Amber, Senior Traveler, Italy
Bengali residents planning to travel to Portugal, regardless of the purpose, must obtain a Portugal visit visa from Bangladesh.
A journey becomes incredible if one fulfills all the important steps and requirements for the visa process. Regarding Portugal’s visit visa, it is a short-stay visa. Therefore, a few important steps are to be taken to get the visa. Being a country from the Schengen Area, Portugal requires non-natives to apply for a visa.
If your dreams feature a journey to Portugal, all you need to do is have basic knowledge about the country’s visa type, the key documents, proof of a reserved flight, etc. Read this article once or twice and prepare yourself for an incredible journey.
A Sneak-Peek into Portugal
Portugal is a country of historic cityscapes, dramatic coastal landscapes, and world-class wine regions. Moreover, there are several iconic destinations that you can visit while traveling to Portugal. For example, this includes Lisbon, Sintra, The Algarve, and Porto & Douro Valley.
- Lisbon is the capital of the country, famous for its yellow trams.
- Porto offers a vast collection of old-world architecture. Near to it is the Douro Valley, which is a UNESCO-listed region that produces world-renowned Port wine.
- Furthermore, the southern coast of Portugal has the Algarve, which is a haven for nature lovers. The place is famous for its turquoise water, golden cliffs, and hidden sea caves.
- The Pena Palace and the misty mountains make Sintra a famous fairy-tale village near Lisbon.
Additionally, traveling to Portugal requires you to have cash as well other than credit cards. The ideal time to visit the country is during Spring (March-May) and Fall (September-October). For visiting places within the country, renting a car is the recommended and most suitable option. Lastly, make sure that you are aware of the current immigration requirements before proceeding with the trip.
What is a Portuguese Visit Visa?
A Portugal visit visa from Bangladesh allows the holder to enter and stay in the country for a particular purpose. Specifically, a visit visa is used to visit friends and family members living in the destination country. Besides, you can also use it for tourism, sightseeing, or leisure purposes.
Please note that a visit visa belongs to the category of a Schengen visa, which is one of the many visa types for Schengen travelers.
There are other visa types as well that you can choose from instead of a visit visa.
Do Bangladeshi Nationals Need A Schengen Visa For Portugal?
Bangladeshi citizens intending to enter Portugal need a valid visa. Portugal has designed a visa for non-European citizens. Therefore, determine the reason for your visit to Portugal and apply for the visa accordingly. For instance, if you want to enter Portugal for pleasure’s sake, apply for a tourist visa. Similarly, if you want to visit a relative, apply for a visitor visa.
Remember, your documents revolve around the visa type you applied for. Therefore, it is important to have clarity about the visa type.
Are Bangladeshi citizens eligible for a visa-free entry to Portugal?
Unfortunately, the nationals of Bangladesh are not eligible for a visa-free entry to Portugal. Moreover, Portugal, as a Schengen country, does not offer an eVisa or a visa on arrival to Bangladeshi residents. Therefore, the applicants need to ensure that they obtain a pre-approved visa from the Portuguese Embassy or Consulate in Bangladesh.
Other than that, you can also search for visa application centers in the country of your residence if there is any availability for application submission.
Other Portuguese Visa Types for Bangladeshi Citizens
Apart from the standard Schengen visit visa, Bangladeshi citizens can have other short-stay and long-stay visa types that they can choose from based on the purpose of their trip to Portugal. Therefore, look at the following table in this regard.
| Visa type | Alternate names | Purpose | Validity period | Subtypes |
| Schengen visa | Short-stay or Type C visa | As discussed earlier, a Type C visa is used for short stays in the target country. | Originally, this visa type allows you to stay in Portugal for 90 days. Moreover, it has a validity period of 180 days. |
The main topic of this blog post is a visit visa. However, a Schengen visa has the following types.
|
| Airport transit visa | Type A visa | This visa type is used to transit through Portugal while traveling to a non-Schengen country. Therefore, you can have your connecting flight at the transit area of the Portugal International Airport. | A Type A visa stays valid for 48-72 hours. | N/A |
| National visa | Long-stay or Type D visa | Staying in Portugal longer than 90 days is possible if you have a Type D visa. Surprisingly, you can renew or extend this visa type based on the reason for traveling to the destination country. | Typically, a long-stay visa grants you access to the country for a period of six months within a validity of almost one year. |
Moreover, this visa has the following subcategories from which you can choose.
|
Where to Apply for the Portugal Visit Visa from Bangladesh?
When applying for the Portugal visit visa from Bangladesh, the most important question that comes to mind of the applicant is where to submit the visa application. Primarily, the visa process is the domain of the Portugal Embassy, Consulate, or Visa Application Center scattered across different countries.
However, there is a problem. Presently, Portugal doesn’t have a diplomatic mission in the country. It only has an Honorary Consulate of Portugal in Dhaka, Bangladesh, that handles consular services, promotes trade, and assists with visa applications (often through representations like France or VFS Global for Schengen visas). Other than that, the main Portuguese Embassy for the entire region is in New Delhi, India.
Therefore, the applicants have the following options through which they can apply for a Portugal visit visa from Bangladesh:
- Submit an application for a long stay at the Portugal Embassy in New Delhi
- For a short-stay visa, submit an application at the France Embassy in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
| Note: Portugal has outsourced the visa application process to the French Embassy, as it represents Portugal for visa application purposes. Therefore, Bangladeshi natives should apply for a visa to the France Embassy. |
Key Steps To Apply For a Portugal Visit Visa From Bangladesh
Travelers from Bangladesh who want to visit Portugal need to obtain a visa. Since Portugal has no diplomatic mission in Bangladesh, the most suitable application facility is the French Embassy. Therefore, read the steps below carefully and apply for a Portugal visit visa from Bangladesh.
Step 1: Visit the website of the French Embassy
The first step of applying for a Portugal visit visa is to go to the website of the French Embassy. The physical appearance of the embassy is in Dhaka, Bangladesh. France is responsible for handling visa affairs for Bangladeshi citizens on behalf of Portugal.
Step 2: Select the Language
After that, the home page will be visible. To understand the instructions correctly, you can select English or French from the top right corner. Remember to select a language you have proficiency in. It will help you understand the visa requirements.
Step 3: Select the visa type
Then, the third most important step of the entire process is selecting a visa type. Therefore, hit the tab showing “Visas”. Click the visa news or select the categories mentioned below based on the visit purpose. Moreover, the same page will lead you to another tab from where you can choose the one you intend to apply for. Additionally, follow the process further.
Step 4: Fill out the application form
As mentioned above, click the visa news and start your visa application. After that, you can fill out the application form. Provide the essential details such as your name, date of birth, profession, passport number, and other details. Also, ensure that all the requested information is correctly included in the form to avoid any delays or rejection.
After providing the information, read the application once again to check for any errors. This is one of the crucial steps, as the information provided on the visa application form decides the outcome of your visa.
Step 5: Collect the documents
After the completion of the application form, you need to start collecting your visa supporting documents. Also, applicants are advised to have their documents translated into English or Portuguese if their official language is not English or Portuguese.
Step 6: Schedule an appointment
Furthermore, the next step in the process is to book an appointment with the embassy. This is mandatory to complete, as walk-in submissions are not entertained, and you need to get a prior appointment slot to finish the subsequent application steps. For this purpose, you can either use the same channel or utilize VFS Global’s online services. For this purpose, you need to create or log in to your account to make an appointment.
Step 7: Visit the center
Then, on the day of your appointment, go to the application center or the embassy to submit your application form along with the mandatory/supporting documents. Other than that, you are also advised to deposit your visa fees and provide your biometric data (fingerprints and photos) to the authorities if not done in the last 59 months.
Step 8: Show up for the interview
The important step in the application is showing up for the visa interview. Therefore, visit the embassy at the appointed time. The consular authorities will inspect all the documents and may ask you a couple of questions related to your travel plans to Portugal. Lastly, you will receive a receipt containing the application number that you have to present at the time of passport collection.
Here, your application processing has officially started!
How can I track my visa application progress?
It is surprising to note that the France embassy offers a unique feature for tracking your visa progress. Therefore, you can view the visa progress from the French embassy website as mentioned below.
Step 9: Collect your passport
Once the visa processing is done, you will be notified about the status of your application via email. Moreover, a date will be given to collect your passport and documents from the same embassy or application center. Another method to get these essentials is through the courier delivery service that will ship your documents to your doorstep at an additional fee.
Essential Documents Required For a Portugal Visit Visa From Bangladesh
Remember, Portugal visa documents vary greatly from person to person (considering their circumstances). Besides, the documents mostly depend on the visa type and the destination country. Notwithstanding, the following documents are generally required by all categories of visa applicants.
A visa application form
One of the key documents for the Schengen visa includes the visa application form. It must be filled with the correct details. Besides, make sure to put your signature at the end of the application form for verification and authenticity purposes.
Also, note that leaving any blanks empty may result in rejection, so maintain consistency when providing information for a better outcome.
A valid passport
A valid Bangladeshi passport is an essential travel document that you must have for the visa application process. It proves your identity in a foreign country. Therefore, make sure your passport is according to the Schengen visa guidelines. For instance,
- It should have a validity period of 3 months beyond your stay in Portugal
- Should not be older than the last 10 years
- Must have 2 blank pages for the visa stamps
Additionally, ensure you have the passport copies of all the pages containing the visa, entry, and exit stamps.
Passport-size identical photos
For the visa application, provide two identical photos. The photos must not deviate from the Schengen photo criteria. Keep in mind the following rules:
- The size of the photos must be 3.5 X 4.5 cm.
- Captured with a white or plain background.
- No accessories are allowed, except for religious purposes.
- The photos should be recent, i.e., not older than the last three to six months.
- The face and shoulders must cover 70-80% of the photo.
Proof of Flight Reservation
A flight reservation is a crucial document in the visa application process. Your visa application cannot be completed without a booked flight reservation. This is because this document demonstrates your travel intentions for the target country. Thus, the authorities need assurance that you will not overstay your visa and will return to your home country before the visa expires. Therefore, while applying for a Portugal visit visa from Bangladesh, confirm to reserve a round-trip itinerary. Besides, the flight itinerary for visa should contain your name and the flight details. Lastly, confirm the website from which you avail the services is authentic and provides verifiable tickets.
Evidence of Hotel Booking
For fast visa approval, book a hotel and provide proof to the authorities. It is also called a proof of accommodation. The Schengen countries make it mandatory for outsiders to provide proof of a hotel booking. Remember, the proof of accommodation can be anything, such as:
- Dummy hotel booking for Schengen visa
- Invitation letter from a relative residing in Portugal
- Rental agreement for an apartment or house
- A sponsorship letter explaining that the sponsor will bear your expenses for the trip
After finalizing the option, it is important to note that the document should contain your name, the name of the hotel, the date of booking, and the time for which you want to stay there.
Proof of travel health insurance
Providing travel health insurance is mandatory for the visa application process. Therefore, make sure that you buy health insurance from an authentic company. In the same way, assess whether the policy fulfills the Schengen criteria or not. Once you purchase the coverage, it should last throughout your stay in the Schengen Area. Additionally, keep in mind that the minimum amount for the coverage is 30,000 euros.
Travel health insurance for Schengen visa coverage is important during adverse situations, such as accidents, injuries, hospitalization, prompt evacuation, repatriation, death, luggage loss, flight cancellation, etc.
Cover letter
A cover letter is a supporting document that you can submit with the rest of the visa documents. As far as the cover letter for the visa application is concerned, it is a way of introducing yourself to the immigration authorities. Therefore, it is a pitch that describes your suitability as a potential applicant. The visa authorities use the cover letter as a method to screen out unsuitable visa applicants.
It is advisable to write a thoughtful cover letter. Describe the purpose of your stay in Portugal, the purpose of your visit, the intended stay duration, and the planned activities. In addition to that appreciate the opportunity of visiting the country.
Proof of financial means
Sufficient proof of finance is the only document that can make or break the outcome of your visa. Therefore, assure the authorities that you have enough resources to fund your stay in Portugal. Make sure to provide the bank statement or the solvency certificate that is original, having a bank seal and signature.
Additionally, the proof of sustenance can be any of the below:
- Bank transactions of the last 3-6 months
- Salary slips or documents that indicate your income
- Income tax return (ITR) from the last 2-3 years
- Sponsorship letter
Civil documents
Applicants are also advised to reveal their civil status while submitting the visa application. Therefore, it is important to provide the proof of the following essentials:
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate
- Death certificate
Remember, you need to provide the documents according to your status.
Additional Documents Needed By Different Categories Of Travelers
Besides the above-mentioned documents, the applicant also needs to understand that the authorities require an additional set of documents. That is the reason why you should determine the visa type in the first place. We have tried to provide you with details about the additional set of documents needed by different categories of travelers. Therefore, read the passages below carefully and collect the documents according to the chosen visa category.
For A Study Visa
When applying for a study visa for Portugal, individuals need to provide the following essentials.
- Enrollment letter: It is also called an admission letter. Therefore, for the study visa, provide proof that you have been admitted into a recognized institute.
- No Objection Certificate: Submitting this will help you confirm that you have an NOC issued by your previous institute.
- Proof of Dormitory or hostel: Provide proof of dormitory or hostel if your university provides accommodation for outsiders.
Documents Required by an Employed Person
If an employed person wants to visit Portugal, they should provide the following additional details.
- NOC and the leave letter from the Employer: It is important to provide a No Objection Certificate and the leave letter from your employer.
- Salary Slip: It is mandatory to provide the salary slips for the last 6 months. Also, provide the details of the original salary statement.
For a Business Visa
Remember, when applying for a business visa, submit the following documents.
- Business license: It is critical to provide proof of a business license.
- Bank statement as per the business: Provide the bank statement or the business transaction of the past few months.
- Partnership agreement: Provide proof of partnership if your business is based on a partnership.
What Is The Standard Time For The Procedure Of A Portuguese Visit Visa?
The standard processing time for the Portugal visit visa is 15 days. The visa is typically processed within this period; however, it can take over one month as well. Therefore, it is preferable to apply for the visa 6 months ahead of your planned travel. Besides, if you want the visa to be issued on time, make sure:
- Provide all the required documents
- Apply for the visa early
- Pay the visa application fee
- Make sure to provide sufficient means of sustenance
Additionally, there are multiple factors that affect the normal processing period of a visa application. For instance, this includes the visa type, the workload at the embassy, and the complexity of the application.
Application Fees for Portugal Visit Visa from Bangladesh
Generally, applicants are also required to deposit the visa fees when submitting the application. The exact amount varies based on the visa type, the age of the applicant, and the nationality of the applicant.
However, for a visit visa, ensure that you pay 90 euros (12,951 Bangladeshi Taka) for an adult above the age of twelve, 45 euros (6,476 Bangladeshi Taka) for children between the ages of six and twelve, and Free for minors below the age of six.
Besides, a long-stay or National visa may cost you a different amount based on the chosen subcategory and visit purpose.
One important thing to note is that the visa fee is non-refundable, even if your application is rejected. So, make sure to choose the appropriate facility and complete the requirements before application submission.
How Can I Avoid Common Reasons for a Visit Visa Rejection?
After submitting the application and once the processing time is over, you can either receive an approved visa or a rejected application. Rejection can be due to various reasons.
After getting a rejection letter from the authorities, you have two options: 1. To appeal the decision, or 2. Reapply for a new visa.
However, ensure that you are aware of the following typical reasons for a visa rejection before proceeding with your Portugal visit visa from Bangladesh.
- Submitting an incomplete or inaccurate visa application form to the authorities
- Having inadequate financial resources demonstrates your ineligibility to manage your expenses on your own
- Furthermore, insufficient travel health insurance and not valid for the entire Schengen Area, and your Portugal stay duration leads to visa denial
- If you submit a passport that is soon to expire, damaged, has signs of wear/tear, or ndoes ot have enough blank pages, then the authorities will turn down your application
- A poor travel history, criminal background, previous visa rejections, or overstaying your Schengen visas in the past can affect your future visa applications as well.
These are some of the known but not ALL visa rejection reasons that you need to avoid for the next application.
FAQs- Portugal Visit Visa from Bangladesh
Applicants can go through this section to get answers to the following frequently asked questions.
1. Do Bangladeshi nationals need a visa to travel to Portugal?
Yes. The residents of Bangladesh need a Schengen visa to visit the country for short-term purposes (tourism, business, medical treatment) for 90 days or three months.
2. When should I apply for a Portugal visit visa from Bangladesh?
The ideal time to submit your application to the authorities is 6 months before your trip, but not later than 15 calendar days before your departure to Portugal.
3. How long does the visit visa processing take?
The average processing time for a visit visa is 15-20 working days. However, the period can get extended to up to 60 days under rare circumstances or during peak travel season.
4. What is the minimum bank balance required for a Portugal visit visa from Bangladesh?
Portuguese authorities generally require the applicants to have at least 75 euros for entry and 40 euros per day of their stay in the target country.
5. What are the Portugal visit visa fees for Bangladeshi citizens?
Since a visit visa is a short-stay visa, applicants above the age of 12 need to pay 90 euros, children between the ages of six and twelve may cost around 45 euros, and minors below six are FREE to travel to Portugal.
6. Can I visit other European countries with this visa?
Yes. A valid Portugal visit visa allows you to travel to the rest of the countries within the Schengen Area during the validity of the visa type.
7. Is it mandatory to appear for a visa interview?
It depends on the discretion of the visa authorities. However, generally it is known that first-time applicants and those applications that require further clarification need to attend a short visa interview. This can happen on the same day of biometric data submission (fingerprints and photos).
8. Can I extend my visit visa while in Portugal?
Extensions for a visit visa or any other short-stay visa are only granted in exceptional circumstances, such as force majeure, serious medical emergencies, and humanitarian reasons.
Final Thought: What Has Been Said So Far?
To make a long story short, Bangladeshi nationals must apply for a visa if they want to enter Portugal. Therefore, the first step is choosing a visa type. Bangladesh doesn’t have a Portugal Embassy. For the visa application, the natives should apply for the Portugal visa through the French Embassy website.
Besides, the application process requires an essential set of documents. The authorities may also ask for additional papers depending on the visa type. Therefore, the correct collection of the document increases the chance of visa approval.
Moreover, as a traveler, you are recommended to get your travel documents, including flight reservations, hotel bookings, and travel health insurance, from SFRV Travels at a competitive price.
You may also like:
Italy visit visa from Bangladesh → Curious about visiting Italy? Discover what Bangladeshi travelers need to apply for a smooth Italy visit visa.
Sweden visa from Bangladesh → Dreaming of Swedish history and beaches? Here’s how residents of Bangladesh can sail through the Sweden visa process.
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