Portugal tourist visa
Required documents, fees and processing time for a Portugal tourist Schengen visa when you apply from United States.
SCHENGEN · VISA C✈ DOCUMENTS
🇵🇹 Portugal·····✈·····🇺🇸 from United States
To
Portugal
Type
C · TOURISM
Apply at
USA
Centre
VAC
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Action neededTourism — short stay (Type C) · applying from United States.
Documents ready00 / 11
Competent authority
Embassy of Portugal in Washington D.C. and the Portuguese Consulates General (Boston, New York, Newark, Providence, New Bedford, San Francisco), by state of residence. Illinois residents may apply at the Consulate General of Lithuania in Chicago (representation).
Application centre
VFS Global (service centres including Washington D.C., Houston, Miami, San Francisco and others). All applications submitted through VFS Global service centres by appointment.
Recommended — commonly expected even when not on the official list
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 amount you must be able to prove, per the Schengen Borders Code reference amount. It depends only on the destination — not on your nationality or where you apply.
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
- Holders of a US B1/B2 (or other short-stay) visa rather than a residence permitNot eligible to apply in the USA; must apply for the Schengen visa from their country of residence/nationality.
- Non-US citizens resident in the USAMust present a US residence permit (Green Card, EAD or valid long-term US visa); residence should remain valid beyond the return date.
- Family members of an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen (Directive 2004/38/EC)Facilitated processing, fee waived, reduced documents; proof of relationship and EU citizen status required.