Visa to Portugal From Lebanon

Lebanese Passport

Your passport is proof that you are a Lebanese citizen. It is also your identity document. You must ensure that your passport for your application will still be valid for at least 6 months after your Schengen visa expires. The passport must also have at least 2 unused pages where your visa will be attached.

Accommodation

An essential requirement for the Schengen visa application is the accommodation requirement. You must prove you have somewhere to stay on getting to Portugal. There are many ways to meet this requirement. You can choose any of the options below:

• Invitation letter from a friend or family in Portugal. This person has to sign, notarise and add a copy of their ID card to the invitation letter.
• Signed rental contract issued to you by a landlord in Portuguese that shows you have rented an apartment for a particular period.
• Airbnb or short-let or hotel booking that covers the time you are spending in Portugal.
• Document showing you have bought a property where you will be staying in Portugal.

Portugal Visa Application Form

You must submit an application form when applying for the Schengen visa. The application form is available on the website of the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. You can also use the form at the e-visa Portugal website.

You must download, fill out the form, and sign it before sending it to the Embassy with your supporting documents. Any unsigned application form will lead to visa rejection.

If you are travelling with a minor, you must sign their application on their behalf.

Medical Insurance

You must have an EU standard medical insurance policy. You must ensure that your policy covers up to €30,000. This policy must be purchased for each family member making the trip with you.

Details of Employment

You are also required to present proof of your employment standing. Here are some ways to show this:

• You will present a bank statement that shows your earnings for at least 6 months prior if you are self-employed.
• You will present a letter from your school showing that you are eligible to keep schooling in the following semester or term if you are a student.
• You must show a letter that your leave was approved and that you have a job to return to upon the expiration of your vacation if you are employed.
• You must provide your business licence and evidence of your tax returns as a business person.

Visa Fee Payment Receipt

You have to show that you have paid the relevant visa fees. Without this receipt, your application will not be processed.

Cover Letter

The Embassy requires you to write a cover letter for the Schengen visa. The purpose of this letter is for you to explain why you are visiting Portugal. In the letter, you must specify when you intend to arrive and when you will leave. You must specify that in your letter if you will visit other Schengen-member states.

Ties to Lebanon

The Consulate or Embassy wants to be sure you intend to leave Portugal at the expiration of your visa. To prove ties to Lebanon, you have to provide any of these:

• Birth certificate of your children that shows you have to return to Lebanon to care for them.
• Marriage certificate, which shows you have a partner to return to.
• Flight schedule to show that your flight to and from Portugal has already been booked.
• Letter from your employer showing you will return to work when your vacation ends and your approved leave is over.
• Letter from your school showing you have a degree to complete.
• Business licence that shows you have a business you must go back to run in Lebanon.

Passport Photographs

You must present 2 recent passport photographs. Note that the photographs must be at most 6 months old and should be showing all the parts of your face.

Proof of Financial Resources

You must also show you have enough money to fund your trip and stay in Portugal. This money should cover your fare to and from your accommodation, feeding and other daily expenses.

The most typical way to prove your financial standing is by submitting a bank statement. There is, however, no specific amount the Embassy or Consulates specifies for applicants to have. But it is safe to plan with €45 to €75 daily.

Prepare Your Documents

The first step to take when applying for a visa is to ensure you have all the documents you need for the application. Do not kick-start the application if you do not have your documents handy. It makes your application swift and less tedious. Use the documents required section as a guide in making a checklist.

Fill Out the Visa Application Form

Visit the website of the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Download the Schengen visa form, fill it out by hand, append your signature and attach it to your supporting documents.

Schedule Your Portugal Visa Appointment Lebanon

Once you have completed the application form, the next step is to schedule a day to go to the Embassy to submit your documents. You must email or call the Embassy or schedule online to schedule an appointment. Alternatively, you can head to the Portuguese Embassy to schedule your meeting.

It is vital to note that the Portuguese Embassy in Beirut is an honorary Consulate and does not have the right to attend to visa applications. Therefore, all Schengen visa applications are made to Archbishop Makarios Avenue 9 Severis Building, 5th floor, Postal office box 21404, 1508 1065 Nicosia, Cyprus.

Note that if you do not have the time to spare for the application or find the process too tedious, you can always reach out to us. Call our team at +44 (0)333 305 9375 or message us online.

Pay Your Visa Fees

The next step is for you to pay the relevant visa fees. You can pay the fees online with your credit card or attach a money order in favour of the Portuguese Embassy to your application package. It is also possible for you to pay the visa fee when you get to the Embassy. Ensure that you attach proof of payment to your supporting documents. Without it, your application will not be processed.

Overview

After payment of visa fees, you need to submit your application package. The Schengen visa does not require you to attend a visa interview. However, you have to submit your application in person. You cannot do a walk-in submission at the Embassy, hence the need to schedule your application.

Pick Your Visa

If the Embassy approves your application, they will notify you by mail. They will also tell you when and where to pick up your passport with your visa attached.

Overview

As a Lebanese, you can also apply for the Portugal golden visa. It is the visa you get for investing in Portugal.

One of the benefits of this visa is that you get Portuguese citizenship or permanent residence after 5 years. After acquiring citizenship, you can apply for your passport, thus becoming a bona fide EU citizen.

With the golden visa, your family members can work, study and live in Portugal without restrictions. You can also travel to other Schengen member states visa-free for a maximum of 90 days out of 180 days.

It is not necessary to spend all 5 years in the country; you are only mandated to stay in Portugal for 7 days straight each year.

Here are some of the incentives for applying for a Golden visa:

Visa-Free Access to the EU

If you are on a golden visa, you automatically have access to the countries in the EU. You are permitted to stay there for a maximum of 90 days.

Family Reunification

You can move to Portugal from Lebanon with your family, or they can join you later after settling there. The family members you can bring to Portugal while on a golden visa are:

• Your partner or spouse.
• Your children who are 18 and below.
• Your unmarried and dependent children who are above 18 but have enrolled to study full-time in a Portuguese institution.
• Your siblings who are below 18 and legally under your care.
• Your spouse’s or partner’s siblings who are below 18 and legally under your care.
• Your parents if they are dependent on you and older than 64.
• Your spouse’s or partner’s parents if they are dependent on you and above 64.

Route to Citizenship

Getting a golden visa is one of the fastest ways to acquire Portuguese citizenship or permanent residence.

Tax Exemption

If you have no plans of living in Portugal, you can become a non-habitual resident (NHR). This means you are exempt from paying taxes on funds you earn abroad. However, your return on investment from Portugal must be taxed. You must pay only 20% tax instead of the usual 48%.

Eligibility Criteria for the Portugal Golden Visa

Before applying for the golden visa, you have to meet the following requirements:

• You must be 18 and above.
• You must not have been convicted of any criminal offence.
• You must have invested between €280,000 and €500,000 in Portugal.
• You must have enough money to cater for your stay in Portugal.
• You must have earned the money you are using to invest in Portugal abroad.
• You must have an EU-standard medical insurance policy worth at least €30,000.
• You must agree to maintain your investment for at least 5 years.
• You must open a bank account in Portugal.
• You must acquire a NIF number.

Eligibility Criteria of Investment for the Golden Visa

For your investment in Portugal to be considered valid, it must cost you from €200,000 to €500,000. This money must be invested in any of the following areas:

• Investing €500,000 to start a company or business that will employ at least 10 persons permanently.
• Investing €400,000 in an existing company or business that will permanently employ at least 8 persons.
• Investing €200,000 to €400,000 to repair or maintain a cultural heritage or piece of art.
• Investing in tech or scientific research to be done in Portugal.

Required Documents

To prove you meet the requirements, you must submit the following documents:

• Criminal history certificate from the Lebanese police showing that you have not been convicted of any crime. You also need to get this from any country you have spent at least 3 months in the past 5 years.
• Lebanese passport issued within the past 10 years, valid 3 months after your visa expires.
• Affidavit that shows you intend to maintain your investment in Portugal for at least 5 years.
• Recent digital passport not later than 6 months.
• Evidence that you have paid the visa fees.
• Completed Portugal national visa application form obtained from the ARI platform.
• Proof of your investment in Portugal.
• Birth and marriage certificates if you are moving with your family.

Visa Fees

Here are the fees that you have to pay when applying for the golden visa:

• €533 for the visa processing. You must pay this fee again if you want to renew your visa.
• €83 for each of your family members coming with you. You must also pay this when you are renewing their visas.
• €5325 for the visa application fee. Upon renewal, you only need to pay €2663.

You may have to spend more than these when making your application. You will pay legal fees to the law firm preparing the documentation for your investment. You must also pay certain fees when gathering documents like the criminal history certificate.

Also, note that the fees are not refundable even if the Portuguese Embassy denies the application for a golden visa.

Processing Time

It could take up to 2 years for your golden visa application to be approved.

Overview

You can apply for the D7 visa as a Lebanese if you are a freelancer, passive income earner, digital nomad, self-employed or a remote worker. With this visa, you can work remotely in Portugal.

If you are on this visa, you are not permitted to take any employment in Portugal. Your job and pay must be coming outside of Portugal.

There are 2 types of the D7 visa: the temporary stay and residency visa.

The temporary stay visa permits you to work remotely in Portugal for 1 year and can be renewed for 2 years. It grants you multiple entries into Portugal and visa-free access to the Schengen zone. However, you cannot move to Portugal with your family on this visa.

The residency visa allows you to work remotely in Portugal for 2 years. You can then renew for 3. It grants you double entry to Portugal and is a route to permanent residence or citizenship.

You can also come to Portugal with your family with this visa.

Whether you are applying for a temporary stay or residency visa, what you get at the Embassy is an entry permit valid for 120 days. You must enter Portugal with this permit and change it to a residence permit covering the rest of your stay.

Eligibility Requirements 

If you wish to apply for the D7 visa, you must show the following documents as proof that you are eligible:

• Birth certificate showing you are 18 or above.
• Valid Lebanese passport.
• Bank statement showing you make a minimum of €3040 monthly for 1 year. If you are a passive income earner, you can show €8460 for 1 year.
• Portuguese bank account.
• NIF number obtained from any tax office in Portugal.
• Birth and marriage certificates if you want to move to Portugal with your family.
• Health insurance policy that is worth at least €30,000.
• Evidence that your income source will last for the duration of your visa.
• Cover Letter outlining the reason you are moving to Portugal.
• Criminal record certificate from the Police in Lebanon and any other country where you spent at least 3 months in the past 5 years.

Fees

• €180 for the application process.
• €320 so the SEF can issue your residence permit.

Note that you will most likely pay more than those outlined above. You may have to pay to be issued some supporting documents like the criminal record certificate. Also note that the visa fees are not refundable, even in the case of a visa denial.

Processing Time

The D7 visa (or digital nomad visa) takes between 90 and 180 days to be approved.

After the interview with the SEF, your residence permit could take 14 days to be issued. Remember that the processing time can change due to workload or administrative delays.

Overview

As a Lebanese citizen, you must get a study visa to research or study in Portugal. There are 2 kinds of study visas available: the short-term study visa and the long-term study visa.

If your study or research takes less than 90 days, you must apply for a short-term study visa. This visa is valid for 90 days.

You must apply for a long-term visa if your study or research takes over 90 days. This visa is valid for 1 year and is renewable depending on your course. You can also move with your family to Portugal. But they have to be your dependent children or spouse.

Eligibility Requirements

When applying for the study visa, you have to present the following:

• Admission letter from a Portuguese school.
• Lebanese passport, valid for at least 3 months after the expiration of your study visa.
• Bank statement showing you have enough money to cater for yourself in Portugal. Alternatively, you can submit proof you have a scholarship or some financial grant, aid or funding. You can also submit a sponsorship letter in this regard.
• Evidence you have somewhere to stay. You could show you have booked a hotel room, short let or Airbnb. You can also show you have rented a space or bought a property in Portugal. Lastly, you can present an invitation letter from a Portugal-based friend or family member.
• Proof you have paid your tuition.
• Signed and filled out the visa application form.
• Medical insurance policy certificate with a minimum value of €30000.
• Cover letter outlining what you are travelling to Portugal for.
• Criminal history certificate from the Police in Lebanon.

Fees

• You pay €90 when applying at the Embassy in Cyprus.
• You pay €83 when applying for a residence permit in Portugal.
• You pay €72 when SEF issues you the residence permit.

Processing Time

Study visas take 4 to 12 weeks to get the Embassy’s approval. But sometimes, the time varies due to administrative delays and workload.

It is advisable to apply for your study visa immediately after you get your admission letter to avoid missing resumption and registration times in your school.

Overview

You can work in Portugal as a Lebanese citizen if you have a work visa. With the visa, you can work for 1 year in Portugal. This visa is renewed as long as your employer needs you.

Unlike other visas, your employer first sends a petition to the Labour authorities asking for permission to hire you. If his request is successful, you can then begin your visa application.

Should your work visa application be successful, you will get a residency visa, giving you entry into Portugal. On getting there, you have 120 days to change the residency visa to a work residence permit.

Your family can move to Portugal with you on this visa. After 5 years, you can then apply for citizenship or permanent residence.

The downside of this visa is that you must work for the employer who filed a petition for you and live in the location specified in your application. You cannot change locations or jobs without the consent and approval of the SEF. Doing so will cause your permit to be revoked.

If you want to change jobs and location, your new employer must get approval from the labour authorities, and you have to apply afresh.

Note that there is a job seeker visa Portugal available for Lebanese citizens who want to come to Portugal and look for employment. You can read more about it here.

Eligibility Criteria for the Work Visa

Below are some of the documents you need to submit to show you are eligible for the work visa:

• Recent passport photograph no later than 6 months. The photograph must comply with the Embassy photo rules.
• Proof you have a job offer from Portugal, that is your employment contract.
• Medical insurance policy worth at least €30000.
• Criminal history certificate from the Police in Lebanon and every other country you have spent at least 3 months in the past 5 years.
• Valid Lebanese passport.
• Birth and marriage certificates if you want to travel with your family.
• Proof you have a place to stay in Portugal.
• Consent form showing you agree for the SEF to run a background check on your criminal history.
• Bank statements showing you have enough money to fend for yourself in Portugal.

Fees

• You pay €90 for the visa application from Lebanon.
• You pay €83 when applying to the SEF for a residence permit.
• You pay €72 before the SEF issues you a residence permit upon arrival in Portugal.

Processing Time

It could take up to 60 days for the SEF to approve your employer’s request.

The Embassy could take at least 90 days to respond to your application from Lebanon.