Portugal Visa for Citizens of Ghana

Do Citizens of Ghana Need a Visa to Enter Portugal?

All Ghanaian citizens are required to obtain a Portuguese Schengen visa if they want to enter Portugal from Ghana. This is solely because Ghana and Portugal do not have a visa-free agreement which allows the citizens of the countries involved in such agreement to enter and leave the two countries without a visa.

The Portugal Schengen visas, also called the Short-Stay visas, have various categories namely, Business visa, Short-Study visa, Tourist visa, etc. These mentioned visas serve various purposes for visits to Portugal.

If you want to enter Portugal for tourism or to visit family you may obtain the Portugal Schengen Tourist visa. But if you need to enter Portugal for a short business trip, you may get the Portugal Schengen Business visa.

Generally, the Portugal Schengen visas allow Ghanaian citizens to enter Portugal and stay temporarily. The period of time for this short stay in Portugal must not exceed 90 days (3 months).

But if you wish to stay for more than 90 days in Portugal you may obtain the Portugal National visa which will allow you to stay in Portugal for more than 1 year. When you obtain the Portuguese Schengen visa as a Ghanaian, you will not be restricted from entering other countries in the Schengen region and the EU.

Types of Visas to Portugal to Apply from Ghana

There are different types of Portugal visas you may apply for if you want to enter Portugal. These visas are designed for several travel purposes. They include:

Schengen Visa

This visa type is popularly known as the Short-Stay or Short-Term visa. The Portugal Schengen visa allows the holder to enter Portugal and other Schengen regions (that have abolished border controls) without an additional visa.

The Portugal Schengen visa is valid for 180 days and grants the holder a 90-day stay within the validity period in Portugal. Ghanaian citizens who have a Portuguese Schengen visa can enter all the countries in the Schengen region without a visa.

There are different types of Schengen visas that were designed to suit applicants’ visit purpose in Portugal which includes:

Tourist Visa

This type of Schengen visa is designed for Ghanaian nationals who wish to enter Portugal to attend seminars, visit family, or for pleasure. You are allowed to visit any of the other 26 countries in the Schengen area with this visa.

Business Visa

This Schengen visa type allows Ghanaian citizens to enter Portugal and engage in the activities of their company for work purposes. It is also known as the Portugal Schengen Business visa.

The Tourist and Business visas allow single, double, or multiple entries into Portugal depending on how many times the holder wants to visit or leave Portugal whenever they are on a tour or business trip.

Short-Term Study Visa

This visa grants Ghanaian citizens entry into Portugal or other Schengen countries for a short period of time for educational purposes. The Short-Term Study visa is also known as the Student visa, which allows the holder to stay for up to 90 days in the country.

Medical Visa

The medical visa is obtained by non-EU nationals who need to enter Portugal to receive medical treatment. It is a type of Schengen visa (Short-Stay visa) as the ailing applicant only needs to receive medical care in Portugal within 90 days.

If you are not sure that the medical treatment will be completed within 90 days, it is recommended to apply for a National visa so that you will stay for much longer to complete the treatment in Portugal.

National Visa

The Portuguese National visa is also called the Residency visa. Non-EU nationals, including Ghanaians who want to enter and remain in Portugal for more than 1 year for work, residency purposes, or study can apply for the Portuguese National visa.

If you want to be considered for this visa, you must convince the Portuguese embassy that you have sufficient funds to cover your expenses when you enter Portugal.

Golden Visa

Portugal’s Golden visa, also known as a Residence Permit for investment activity, is designed for Ghanaians and other non-EU nationals who want to invest in Portugal. You can enter many European Union countries with the Portuguese Golden visa and it offers a route to permanent residency and citizenship in Portugal.

There are types of investment you may make in Portugal, such as setting up businesses to create employment opportunities in Portugal. You may also wish to buy an already existing business, invest in the Portuguese cultural heritage, etc.

When you have maintained your investment in Portugal for 5 years, you will be granted residency and qualify for Portuguese citizenship, provided you have met all requirements.

Your family members who meet eligibility criteria may be allowed to join you in Portugal through the Portugal Golden visa. Upon receiving the Golden visa, your family members will have the same right as you to enter other countries in the Schengen region and the EU.

D7 Visa Portugal

The Portugal D7 visa was launched by the Portuguese government in 2007 to lure foreigners into Portugal to boost the economy of the country just as the Portugal Golden visa.

This type of Portugal visa offers a route to permanent residency in the country and it is also called the Portugal Passive Income visa or Retirement visa. Ghanaian nationals and other non-EU citizens who hold the Portugal D7 visa are not reliant on salaried income that is active.

Your D7 visa grants you visa-free travel to several European countries without restrictions just as other Portuguese residents. After 5 years of holding the D7 visa, you will become eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship and an EU passport that will grant you entry into more than 180 countries in the world.

However, before you can qualify for the D7 visa, you need to satisfy some requirements, such as the minimum financial threshold, criminal record, etc.

Portugal Study Visa

This visa is designed for non-EU citizens, including Ghanaians who gained admission into one of the Portuguese educational institutions. There are three broad categories of the Portuguese Study visa, also known as the Student visa. They include:

Short-Stay Student Visa

If you want to take a course that is shorter than 3 months (90 days), such as work training courses, or short language courses, you should apply for this type of Student visa. This visa option is designed for non-EU nationals such as Ghanaians and other third-country nationals.

Temporary-Stay Portuguese Student Visa

This type of Student visa allows the holder to enter Portugal and stay for vocational training, study programmes, internships, etc., for a period of 90 days to 12 months in Portugal. Before you are granted this visa, you must prove that you have been accepted into the vocational training, internship, etc.

Long-Stay Portuguese Student Visa

The Long-Stay Student visa allows the holders to enter Portugal and engage in educational activities for more than 1 year. The initial validity for this type of visa could just be for 1 year, after which you can renew it for up to 5 years.

However, the validity of this visa typically matches the duration of your study in Portugal. But if your course continues beyond the expected date of its ending, you can always renew it, provided you keep on meeting the requirements set by the Portuguese authorities.

Portuguese Work Visa

Ghanaian nationals who want to move to Portugal for work purposes must obtain a Portuguese Work visa. The Portuguese Work visa are of different types, they include:

Work Visa for Self-Employment.

This type of Work visa is designed for Ghanaian citizens who offer services or own businesses. Therefore, if you fall into this category, this visa is for you.

Tech Visa

If your company partakes actively in the technology and innovation field, you can apply for this type of work visa.

Work Visa for Highly-Skilled Workers

This type of Work visa caters for the travel purposes of workers who have extraordinary qualifications in their field of expertise. The applicants in this category must be paid about 1.5 times the gross annual salary of Portugal.

Work Visa for Cultural Activities

Ghanaian citizens who want to partake in cultural activities that will occur in Portugal will need to obtain this type of work visa. This can only happen if the relevant Portuguese authorities acknowledge the project (cultural activities).

Work Visa for Teaching

This visa is designed for Ghanaian teachers who received a job offer from a research centre, vocational training, or educational institution in Portugal.

Work Visa for Skilled Workers

You may apply for this type of Portuguese work visa if you have a job offer in one of these occupations or positions, namely, Engineering, Information Technology professionals, Scientists, Medical professionals, or high-ranking administrative roles in a business.

Airport Transit Visa

The Transit visa is a travel document that you must hold to be allowed to stop in Portugal’s or other Schengen countries’ transit zones to continue your journey (flight) to your destination.

The Transit visa is typically valid for 24 hours, but it can be issued to you for a few days. This depends on your embassy and transit country. You must understand the validity period of your transition and complete it during the allotted timeframe to avoid legal consequences.

Portugal Schengen Visa: Requirements and Eligibility Criteria

Overview

You are required to meet some eligibility criteria to qualify for the Portugal Schengen visa. The eligibility criteria include:

• Citizens of non-EU and third countries who are expected to obtain a Portuguese visa to enter Portugal and other Schengen countries.
• Third-country citizens who were refused entry into Portugal or other Schengen countries despite the countries involved having signed a visa liberalisation agreement with the Schengen states.

If you want to apply for the Portugal Schengen visa, you must submit some documents to start your application process. The documents Ghanaian citizens are required to provide include:

Valid Passport Photograph

You must bring 2 identical passport photographs during your visa application. These passports must meet the standard of Portugal Schengen visa photograph.

Ghanaian International Passport

Your Ghanaian passport is also another means of identification that proves your nationality. The passport must have at least two blank pages where your Portugal Schengen visa will be attached. Your passport must be valid for a minimum of an additional 3 months after you have left Portugal or other Schengen countries.

Application Form for Schengen Visa

Applicants must submit an application form for a Portugal Schengen visa. You may download this application from the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After downloading the form, ensure you fill it out and add it to your application file.

You may need to fill out and sign the application forms for your under 18 years old children if they will come with you to Portugal as unsigned application forms may be rejected.

Proof of Civil Status 

You must prove your civil status during your Portugal Schengen visa. You could do that by providing your marriage certificate (if you are married), birth certificate of children, death certificate of spouse (if your spouse has died), etc.

Health Insurance Policy

You must have a health insurance policy when applying for a Portugal Schengen visa. This health insurance policy has to be valid for use across the countries within the Schengen region.

Your health insurance has to be a minimum of €30,000 to cover your medical bills should an unforeseen circumstance occur during your stay in Portugal or other Schengen countries. Each member of your family must also present separate health insurance from yours if they are coming with you to Portugal.

Proof of Funds

Another important document in your Schengen visa application is the proof of funds. This document must prove that you will not become a financial burden to Portugal when you enter the country.

The document must show that you are financially stable enough to cater for your daily expenses and your journey to and from Portugal. In order to prove this, you must provide your credit card, bank statements, payslips, proof of prepaid transport, proof of employment, etc.

Proof of Accommodation

During your application, the Portuguese embassy would want to know if you have a place to stay when you enter Portugal. You must prove that you will not be stranded by providing them with evidence of the place you intend to stay when you enter the country.

You can prove this by showing them a letter of invitation from your family member, a hotel reservation, a property deed (showing you have purchased a house), or your rental contract between you and a Portuguese landlord.

Cover Letter

You must include a cover letter in your Portugal visa application. In this letter, you will explain to the Portuguese embassy your purpose of travel to Portugal. Your letter must also include when you plan to leave Portugal and also if you intend to visit other countries in the Schengen zone while on your trip.

Connection to Ghana

You are expected to prove to the Portuguese authorities that you will definitely come back to Ghana once your travel purpose has been accomplished. Therefore present your:

• Admission letter. This shows that you are still enrolled in your school in Ghana and still have an ongoing school programme to catch up with.
• Marriage certificate. If you are married, you must prove to the embassy that you have a partner you must come back to.
• Children’s birth certificates. Showing that you will definitely come back to reunite with your children in Ghana.
• Company’s letter showing that your employers are aware of your trip to Portugal and that you must return after your travel.
• Business license. This must show that you own a business in Ghana, which you must come back to run.
• Flight itinerary. This shows that you have already made plans to come back to Ghana when your visa expires.

Proof You Have Paid the Relevant Visa Fees

You must prove that you have made your visa fee payments as required. If you fail to pay the visa processing fee, your application will be considered an unsuccessful one. You may also provide proof of your paid travel insurance, translation fees, courier service, and fees for your third-party service provider.

Employment Details

You must let the embassy know what your employment status is in Ghana during your application. Students are required to present a letter from their school that shows they have good academic records and qualifications to continue their studies.

Applicants who are employed must show that they were granted leave by their employers or company by presenting a letter as proof. It must also be clearly stated that they will return to their duty posts when they come back from their trip to Portugal.

Business people must provide their tax returns and business licenses. Whereas, self-employed people will provide their last 6 month’s bank statements.

Portugal Visa Fees for Schengen Visa

Here are the visa fees for a Portugal Schengen visa:

• Ghanaian adult applicants will pay €80.
• Children from 6 years old to 12 years old will pay €40.

There are categories of people who are exempted from paying the Schengen visa fee. They include:

• Children below 6 years old.
• Diplomatic passport holders who are travelling for official purposes.
• Teachers and their students during a school excursion.
• Scientists and researchers travelling for professional purposes.
• Representative of nonprofit organisations (25 years or below).

There are other additional fees you may pay, such as travel insurance, which is about €18 to €30 for 1 week depending on your age, how long you will stay, etc.

You may also pay the courier fees so that the embassy will mail you an update when a decision is made regarding your Portugal Schengen visa application.

How to Apply for a Schengen Visa to Portugal from Ghana

Ghanaian citizens who want to enter Portugal must apply following a step-by-step guide. Here is the guide:

Step 1. Decide Your Visa Type

The first thing you must do is to decide the type of Portugal Schengen visa that suits the reason you want to travel to Portugal. If you want to travel for business or work purposes, then you should apply for a Business visa or a Work visa respectively.

Step 2. Complete the Application

You may choose the route of the Portugal visa online application. Or download and fill out the visa application form (the download is free of charge) from the Portugal embassy website and submit it in person if you wish to. Complete the form without mistakes or omissions as you may risk a refusal or delays in your visa application process.

Step 3. Pay Your Visa Fee

After completing your form, pay for your visa. The visa fees are liable to change from time to time, so you need to check the latest fees because any wrong payments made are nonrefundable. They may accept cash payments or you can pay your Portugal Schengen visa fee at the visa application centre with your credit card, or debit card.

Step 4. Book the Visa Appointment

Upon paying your visa fee, you must book an appointment with the Ghanaian visa application centre closest to you. You will receive an appointment confirmation email and letter of appointment which you must bring to the application centre. At the appointment, your biometric information (photographs and fingerprints) will be collected.

Step 5. Submit Documents

Submit your documents after you have provided the required documents, paid all fees, and booked an appointment at the visa application centre closest to you.

Step 6. Visa Processing

When you finish the above steps, your Portugal Schengen visa application, passport, and other documents will be thoroughly reviewed by the immigration officers. You will be granted or denied the visa based on the information you provided in your application.

Step 7. Get Your Visa

If you have a successful application, you will be invited to come and collect your Portugal Schengen visa from the Portuguese embassy.

The application process is quite rigorous and requires expertise to avoid errors. It is better to allow professional immigration lawyers who know the best way to submit your application to do it for you. Our immigration lawyers at IAS are always available to assist you. Contact us on +44 (0)333 305 9375 or message us online.

Portuguese Schengen Visa Processing Time Once Application Is Submitted

After your visa application, it typically takes about 15 days or less to process your Portugal Schengen visa application. Depending on the situation, applicants may be required to wait for about 30 or even 60 days to get a decision.

Once the embassy receives all your required documents, they will start processing your application. This normally takes them 15 days to complete.

Some delays in visa processing time may be caused by incomplete documents, the time of the year (as more applications are submitted during holidays which takes more time), weather, etc.

Extending My Schengen Visa in Portugal: Is It Possible?

Overview

Yes, it is possible to extend your Schengen visa in Portugal. Before you extend your visa, you must first decide why you may wish to apply for a Schengen visa extension.

You must apply for an extension before your visa expires because if you wait until a day after your visa expiration, you will be deported to Ghana for overstaying your visa regardless of any reason for your extension plea. So, ensure you apply for an extension for a minimum of 1 week before your Schengen visa expires.

Required Documents for Schengen Visa Extension

The documents you need to include for your Schengen visa extension include:

• Passport, that bears the current visa that allowed your entry into Portugal.
• Your application form.
• One passport photograph.
• Proof of income.
• Travel Health Insurance.
• Documents that support your claim of needing a visa extension.

This step may be complicated if you have never done this before. You need expert guidance in applications like this as you must prove to the embassy your reasons for an extension error-free.

The documents to support your claim must be complete and you need to file your application on time. Our immigration lawyers at IAS can help you apply for an extension of your Schengen visa.

We have done this for so many applicants, and we know everything that must be done to ensure you have a successful Schengen visa extension application. Contact our team on +44 (0)333 305 9375 or message us online.

Reasons for Schengen Visa Extension

Ghanaian citizens are allowed to extend their Schengen visa in Portugal for some valid reasons, such as:

Late Entry

If you entered Portugal days or weeks after your visa became valid on a short-stay, you may be granted an extension. For instance, you entered Portugal on November 20, while your visa became valid on November 1.

Force Majeure

If an unforeseen circumstance, such as a violent protest, or war breaks out in Ghana before the expiration of your visa, you may be granted an extension. This extension could be given for a few weeks or until the tension in your country subsides.

Personal Reasons

If your visa is about to expire and you still have unfinished business in Portugal. This could be that you need to get married to your spouse or some other personal reasons before you leave Portugal. The immigration authorities may grant you an extension if they agree with your reasons.

Humanitarian Reasons

If you need to stay back in Portugal to partake in the sudden death of a family member or support someone who relies on your help maybe because of hardship, you may be granted an extension.

Common Reasons for Schengen Visa Refusals and Your Options

There are so many reasons that may cause your Portugal Schengen visa to be rejected. They include:

Insufficient Funds

It is required that you prove to the immigration authorities that you have enough money to cover your bills when you get to Portugal. It must also show that your travel expenses are paid for your trip to Portugal and back to Ghana. Your salary slips or bank statements could be some of the evidence for your sufficient funds.

Inadequate Travel Health Insurance

If you cannot present the required travel health insurance for your stay, your application may be refused. Your health insurance must be €30,000 to cover unforeseen medical bills during your stay in Portugal.

Exclusion of Old Visa Copies

The Portuguese embassy may require you to add old visa copies you already have (if you have one). If you fail to add the old visa, you risk a refusal of your visa application.

Criminal Record

Your Schengen visa application may be denied if you have a criminal record. This is because the Portuguese immigration authorities will think that you may become a threat to the public order in the country. A negative entry in the Central Register of Foreigners about you will ultimately cause your visa application to be refused.

How Can IAS Help?

If you are a Ghanaian citizen who wants to enter Portugal, there are different types of Portugal Schengen visas you can choose from. Your visa choice must tally with your purpose of entering Portugal.

Remember that there are fees you need to pay during your application. You must be sure of every payment you make as none of the fees are refundable if you make a wrong payment.

In a way to get your visa on time and make things much easier for you, we recommend that you seek expert help even right from the beginning of deciding which Portugal Schengen visa you should choose.

Our immigration lawyers at IAS are always ready to help you kick off your Portugal Schengen visa application with a great chance of approval. We will help you in making the right payments so you do not incur unnecessary additional costs. We are experienced professionals with years of experience in immigration-related matters.

We have helped several Ghanaian citizens move to various countries of their choice with a massive turnout of successful applications. We know you want to be a part of this great success, all you need to do is to call us on +44 (0)333 305 9375 or contact us online.