
Schengen Visas
Please contact the Consulate: newbedford@mne.pt, indicating the name of the traveler, location of residene in the US, phone number and date of travel.
I am an american citizen and want to visit Portugal on vacation or attend a seminar. What do I need to do?
American citizens don’t require a Visa to enter Portugal for stays up to 90 days. You just need a valid Passport and should have a Travel medical insurance for the duration of the visit – covering accident/medical/hospital expenses, and repatriation costs, if necessary.
Note that regular health insurance from the US is not accepted, it must be a travel medical insurance.
What is a Travel Medical Insurance? https://www.vistos.mne.pt/pt/vistos-schengen/documentacao-instrutoria/schengen-para-efeitos-de-curta-duracao
I am not an american citizen. I live in Massachusetts legally. I want to visit Portugal. What do I need to know to get a Visa?
If you have one of these nationalities, you need a Visa: https://www.vistos.mne.pt/en/short-stay-visas-schengen/general-information/who-needs-a-visa
You can apply for a Schengen Visa. It allows you to transit or have a short stay (up to 90 days) in the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switerzeland and Sweden.
As the processing of a Visa application may take up to two weeks, it is essential to apply with sufficient lead time.
Where exactly should I apply for the Visa?
If you intend to visit only Portugal, you need to apply at a Portuguese Embassy or Consulate.
If you live in Massachusetts (Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket Counties) you should come to the Consulate in New Bedford. If you live in Rhode Island, you should also come to the Consulate in New Bedford.
If you live in Massachusetts (Boston, Norfolk, Middlesex, Essex, Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin and Berkshire Counties) or in the states of Main, New Hampshire, and Vermont, you should go to the Consulate in Boston: www.cgportugalboston.com
If you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply at the Embassy or Consulate of your main destination country. Main destination is the country where you will stay the most days.
If you intend to visit several Schengen countries but do not have a main destination, you should apply at the Consulate whose country is your first point of entry.
OK. I’m eligible to go to the Consulate in New Bedford. What documents should I present to apply for the Visa?
List of documents required: https://www.vistos.mne.pt/en/short-stay-visas-schengen/required-documentation/short-stay-visa
Term of responsability: https://www.vistos.mne.pt/images/termoderesponsabilidade.pdf
Forms: https://www.vistos.mne.pt/pt/vistos-schengen/informacao-geral/formularios
I have filled the Visa apllication form and have originals and copies of all the required documents. What should I do now?
Make an appointment. On the assigned day bring with you all your documents (originals and copies). At this moment, you will be subject to a biometric data collection (digital photo and fingerprints) and an interview.
Note that the acceptance of the required documentation does NOT imply the Visa issuance. And a Visa rejection does not result in the reimbursement of the Visa fee paid.
Visa fees (equivalent to 60 Euros) are payable in cash or money-order only. Visa Fees are payable upon presentation of application and are not refundable, even if Visa is denied or applicant withdraws the Visa request.
In the framework of Schengen Member-state cooperation, Portugal has accepted to represent and issue visas on behalf of others, in countries where they do not have diplomatic or consular representation.
Therefore, for Schengen visa issuing purposes, Portugal accepts visa applications in the following countries / cities: https://www.vistos.mne.pt/en/short-stay-visas-schengen/portugal-representing-other-member-states
Please note:
If the air ticket has been bought before the visa issuance, the Embassies or Consulates of the Schengen countries are not responsible for any loss or penalties that might be incurred.
Deadline for a decision: 15 days, please visit https://www.vistos.mne.pt/en/short-stay-visas-schengen/general-information/deadline-for-filing-application#deadline-for-decision-on-an-application . Certain nationalities may require a longer verification process, please visit http://www.consulateportugalnewbedford.org/us/serv_cons-us/vistos_cons_previa-us.php
If you have been issued a Schengen visa, please visit : https://www.vistos.mne.pt/images/schengen/information_sheet_to_visa_holders_en.pdf
Contacts and opening hours (application and passport drop-off): http://www.consulateportugalnewbedford.org/us/contacto-us.php