Portugal long-stay (Type D) visa
Required documents, fees and processing time for a Portugal long-stay (Type D) Schengen visa when you apply from United States.
SCHENGEN · VISA C✈ DOCUMENTS
🇵🇹 Portugal·····✈·····🇺🇸 from United States
To
Portugal
Type
D · LONG STAY
Apply at
USA
Centre
VAC
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Action neededLong stay — national (Type D) · applying from United States.
Documents ready00 / 11
Competent authority
Embassy of Portugal in Washington D.C. and Portuguese Consulates General by state of residence. D-series resident visas (employment, self-employment, teaching, research, family reunification, retirees, digital nomads). Visa valid 4 months / 2 entries; residence permit from AIMA in Portugal.
Application centre
VFS Global (Washington D.C., Houston, Miami, San Francisco and other centres), by appointment. All national visa applications submitted through VFS Global service centres.
Recommended — commonly expected even when not on the official list
Cover letterA letter of introduction stating who you are and why you are travelling.
Travel itineraryA day-by-day plan of your trip to attach to the application.
Fees
Consular (Type C)
€90
Service fee
$35
Est. total (adult)
$135
Long stay (Type D)
€90
The short-stay (Type C) consular fee is harmonised at €90 for adults across all Schengen states; collected in USD · centre: VFS Global.
Fee notes
VFS Global (~$32-40). D commonly ~€90 (approximate).
Timeline
medium confidenceProcessing
15–45 days
End-to-end
4–10 weeks
Centre
VAC
Appointment wait
High demand; consulate/VFS advise applying at least ~2 months in advance (commonly 3-8 weeks, worse in peak summer).
Application centre
VFS Global (US); centres in New York, Washington DC, Miami and Houston. Decision by Portuguese consular authorities.
Timeline notes
Portugal warns of very high demand and recommends submitting at least two months ahead. Short-stay decision within 15 calendar days, extendable to 45.
Funds to show
high confidenceThe figures below are the short-stay (Type C) means of subsistence. A long-stay (Type D) visa sets its funds requirement nationally by purpose (study, work, family reunification, income) — check the consulate for the amount that applies to your case.
Per day
€40
Minimum
€75
In EUR ≈
as shown
Floor
EUR 75 per each entry, in addition to the per-day amount
Notes
Two components: EUR 75 for each entry PLUS EUR 40 for each day spent on the territory. Aliens who can prove board and lodging are guaranteed for the whole stay may be exempted from these amounts.
Consulates apply discretion and may expect a buffer above this figure — treat it as a floor, not a guarantee.
Funds source ↗⚠ Special cases & caveats
- Work / subordinate activity visaAdd employment contract, work promise or employer declaration of interest; professional certificate if profession regulated in Portugal.
- Study / research visaAdd acceptance/enrolment at recognised institution or research host agreement; proof of subsistence and accommodation.
- Family reunification visaAdd AIMA authorisation notification, proof of relationship and identity of the resident sponsor, and proof of sufficient means.
- Retiree / passive income (D7) or digital nomad / remote work (D8)Add proof of stable regular income (pension, passive income or remote employment/service contract) meeting the required threshold.