D5 Visa (Long-term Student Visa)
If you want to come to Portugal to complete a degree at an academic institution, you might have to obtain the D5 Long-term Student Visa. Find out more about the requirements and the application process.
Call our immigration lawyers on +44 (0)333 305 9375, or contact us online for immediate help and assistance with your visa application.
What is the D5 Visa?
The D5 Visa is intended for foreign citizens who want to come to Portugal to complete a study course longer than 90 days.
The Long-term Student Visa to Portugal falls under the D Schengen Visa category which allows foreigners to live in a Schengen country for more than 90 days and up to 1 year.
Those who successfully apply for the D5 Visa to Portugal have the right to travel to Portugal and enter the country.
Then, within three months of arriving in Portugal, they need to apply for a Portuguese residence permit which is valid for one year.
If their studies last longer than that, they can renew their Portuguese residence permit. International studies who are in Portugal on the D5 Visa can renew their residence permit multiple times for up to five years.
Keep in mind that not all international students who want to come to Portugal need to apply for a visa. Citizens of countries that are EU member states have the right to study in Portugal visa-free.
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What are the eligibility requirements for the D5 Visa?
Those who want to obtain the D5 Visa to Portugal have to meet a number of eligibility requirements. Applicants must:
- Have a valid passport
- Have been accepted into a study programme at a Portuguese educational institution
- Have a letter of acceptance from a Portuguese university
- Be able to cover any tuition fees or have a scholarship
- Be able to cover the visa application fees
- Have enough financial resources to sustain themselves during their studies in Portugal
- Have adequate accommodation in Portugal
- Be able to prove that they do not have a criminal record
- Have private travel insurance
- Have private medical insurance.
As part of the application process foreign citizens need to submit documents that prove that they meet these requirements.
If you are not sure what documents to prepare, get in touch with our lawyers. They can help you put together a complete portfolio of evidence. Call us on +44 (0)333 305 9375, or contact us online.
What is the application process for the D5 Visa?
To be able to apply for the D5 Visa, foreign citizens need to first get accepted to study at an academic institution in Portugal and obtain the letter of acceptance that confirms their enrollment.
Once they have it, they can begin the application process by scheduling an appointment at a Portuguese Embassy or Portuguese Consulate in their home country.
While waiting for the appointment, they have to gather documents that prove their eligibility for the D5 Visa. Immigration officials will then review them and make a decision regarding their visa application.
The approval process of applications for the Portuguese Long-term Study Visa takes between one and three months depending on factors such as the nationality of the applicant, the workload of immigration officials, or the complexity of the applicant’s case.
Those who obtain the D5 Visa can travel to Portugal and, within three months from their arrival, they have to register with the Portuguese Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) which will issue them the Portuguese residency permit.
The permit will grant them the right to live and study in Portugal for an initial period of one year. After that, they can renew it provided that they are still studying.
Can I work in Portugal with the D5 Visa?
Those who come to Portugal on the D5 Long-term Study Visa are allowed to work part-time (for up to 20 hours per week) during semesters and full-time during holiday periods.
However, non-EU/EEA students who are in Portugal on the D5 Visa need to get authorisation from the SEF prior to engaging in employment.
Keep in mind, however, that the D5 Visa is issued to individuals whose primary goal is to complete a long-term study course in Portugal.
So, although you can work alongside your studies, your primary goal should be to study.
If you are an EU citizen, you have the right not only to study in Portugal without having to obtain a Portuguese Student Visa but also to work without having to apply for an employment permit. You also do not have the obligation to notify the SEF about your intention to start working.
Do I need the D5 Visa to do a short-term study course?
The D5 Visa is intended for foreign nationals who want to come to Portugal to complete a study course longer than 90 days.
Students who intend to study in Portugal for less than 90 days should apply for the D4 Short-term Student Visa instead. This visa belongs to the C Schengen Visa category, and it allows international students to complete a short-term study course at a Portuguese academic institution.
Citizens of certain countries that have agreements with Portugal are exempt from the visa requirement if their study course in Portugal is shorter than 90 days. Examples of such countries are Australia, Canada, or the US.
Just like with the D5 Visa, those who want to come to Portugal on the D4 Student Visa to complete a short-term study course have to have a letter of acceptance from a Portuguese educational institution.
Regardless of how long the study course is, citizens of EU/EEA countries can study in Portugal without having to get a visa.
How can IAS Help?
At IAS, we are committed to helping international students get the best education possible. We can explain to you in detail how you can relocate to Portugal to complete a long-term study course.
Our lawyers can determine whether you meet the eligibility requirements for the D5 Visa and, if so, they can help you gather documents that prove it. They can also help you fill out the application form, making sure you included all the necessary information and did not make any mistakes.
Thanks to the help of our dedicated lawyers the process of moving abroad to study is straightforward and stress-free.
Call us today on +44 (0)333 305 9375, or contact us online to find out more about how we can be of assistance. We are here to help you in person, via the phone, or online.
Last modified on August 18th, 2023 at 7:25 am
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Frequently Asked Questions
The D5 Visa is granted to foreign nationals who want to come to Portugal to complete a long-term study course lasting longer than 90 days. After the successful applicant arrives in Portugal, they need to register with the SEF and get their Portuguese residence permit. The permit allows them to stay in Portugal for a period of one year at first. Then, it can be renewed provided that the international student is still enrolled at a Portuguese academic institution. This means that the validity of the D5 Visa can vary depending on the duration of the holder’s study course in Portugal.
To be able to obtain the D5 Visa to Portugal, you have to demonstrate that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay. In addition to having money to pay for living expenses, you also have to be able to cover tuition fees and pay for your accommodation.
There is no specific amount of funds you need to have so an immigration official will review your individual circumstances and decide whether or not what you have is enough.
As part of the application process, you have to submit bank statements that serve as proof of your finances.
If you come to Portugal on the D5 Visa, you can stay in the country for as long as you study at a Portuguese academic institution. Non-EU/EEA nationals who want to stay in Portugal after their study course finishes can do so only if they have a job offer. Then, you will be able to switch to a different residence permit.
Alternatively, you can come back to your home country, apply for a different visa, and come back to Portugal. Our lawyers can assess your circumstances and tell you what visas to Portugal you might be eligible for.
Holders of the D5 Visa have the right to bring their spouses, children under the age of 18 (or older if they are dependent on them), or their spouse’s children younger than 18 years of age to Portugal. Unfortunately, other family members cannot join them in Portugal through the D5 Visa.
If you hold the D5 Visa and you want your loved ones to come to Portugal with you, get in touch with our lawyers. They will explain to you in detail how you can apply for relevant visas for them.