Portugal Passport and Visa Information

Passport

To study abroad, you must have a signed, valid passport from your country of citizenship that will not expire for a minimum of six months after your planned program end date.  If you do not have a passport, or it's about to expire, make sure you apply or renew it as soon as possible. This can impact applying for your visa. Without a visa you may not be able to attend your program in Portugal.

Ideally, students should have a passport or apply for passport renewal before applying to USAC to ensure a smoother pre-departure process. However, not having a passport will not hinder your USAC application.

Passport applications and renewals can take time! Processing times vary and do not include mailing time. Mailing times vary across the country. U.S. Citizens can refer to the U.S. Department of State’s website for more information about passports and processing time.

Visa

A student visa is official permission by a foreign government to live and study in that country. It typically comes in the form of a stamp or sticker that is placed directly onto a page in your passport.

Summer programs

All U.S. citizens studying in Portugal for less than 90 days do not need a student visa. Instead, you will receive a stamp in your passport upon arrival to cover the program dates.

Semester and Yearlong programs

All U.S. citizens studying in Portugal for more than 90 days do need to apply for a visa. Students will apply for a Portuguese National Visa “D” Temporary Stay visa, for the purpose of studying. Preparing to apply for your visa includes several steps, such as obtaining an FBI background check, which can take a minimum of 2-3 weeks.

The process of submitting your visa application will vary, depending on your jurisdiction. Some consulates/visa application centers require you to apply in-person, whereas others allow you to mail in your visa application. Your physical passport book will remain with the consulate/visa application center while your visa application is under review. Once your visa application is submitted, it can take 2-3 months for your visa to be processed and your passport to be returned to you.

Traveling internationally prior to the start of your USAC program may not be possible and will most likely interfere with your ability to obtain a visa. USAC does not recommend travel prior to the program start date.

Visa processing is out of USAC’s control as visas are not guaranteed and are granted at the discretion of Portuguese consulates. The consulates/visa application centers may update and change information on their websites. USAC does its best to communicate updates to students, however throughout the visa process, it is also the student’s responsibility to reference the appropriate websites and resources. USAC is not responsible for any changes made by the consulate.

Further information will be posted to your USAC Student Gateway account in the Visa Guide, which you will receive after you have been accepted into your USAC program (typically four months prior to the program start). USAC Program Advisors in the Central Office are also available to answer any visa questions you may have.

Non-U.S. citizens

Check with your home country consulate, as well as the embassy of the country in which you plan to study, regarding visa requirements. Permanent residents of the U.S. should check with U.S. Immigration as leaving the country for more than one year may jeopardize permanent resident status. Tax clearance and re-entry forms may also be necessary in these cases.

U.K. travel - Electronic Travel Authorization requirement

On January 8, 2025, an electronic travel authorization (ETA) will be required for all U.S. citizens entering the United Kingdom (U.K.). This requirement applies to all travel, including study abroad, tourism, or other reasons. Airlines will check to make sure all passengers have an ETA prior to boarding.

U.S. citizens will be able to apply for an ETA starting on November 27, 2024.

Students must obtain an ETA prior to their arrival. It will cost 10 GBP. Please submit an application at least 72 hours in advance of your departure. While the ETA is valid for two years upon receipt, study abroad students are still limited to a six month stay in the U.K. without a visa. It does not extend the timeline of a valid student visa.