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Frequently Asked Questions

  • The place of issue mentioned on my passport belongs to Shanghai Jurisdiction. Can I apply for a visa at Portugal Visa Application Centre in Beijing?

    Applicants should submit their applications to the relevant Visa Application Centres respectively according to their current working/residence city. Applicants who are not residing/working in Beijing jurisdiction areas will only be accepted if they hold a valid Temporary Resident Card; Applicants whose travel document was issued outside Beijing jurisdiction can only submit his/her visa application when an official residence proof is presented (i.e. registration of residence record issued by the police station). Applicants who are not residing/working in Guangzhou jurisdiction areas will only be accepted if they hold a valid Temporary Resident Card

    Beijing Jurisdiction:

    Beijing, Tianjin, Shandong, Ningxia, Henan, Hebei, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Jilin, Liaoning, Heilongjiang, Hubei, Tibet, Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai, Xinjiang Chongqing, Guizhou, Sichuan, Yunnan

    Shanghai Jurisdiction:

    Shanghai, Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangsu, Jiangxi

    Guangzhou Jurisdiction:

    Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Hunan, Fujian

  • Should I make an appointment to submit documents at Visa Application Centre?

    Please note that the appointment for individual applicant is mandatory for Portugal visa application centre in Shanghai, Nanjing and Hangzhou only. Individual applicants applying for Portugal visa in other cities do not need to book an appointment and can walk in to submit their visa application at working hours, and ADS groups please send appointment emails more than 2 weeks in advance.

  • What is the best time to come? When are there fewer people and fewer queues?

    For centres in Beijing Jurisdiction, it depends on the day. Please call helpline for consultation if more than 5 applicants apply together.

  • Can you tell me whether my Visa application was successful?

    We don’t know whether you have been granted a visa or not. Passports are returned to the Visa Centre in sealed envelopes and we are not allowed to open them.

  • What is the size of the photo and the background? Should I stick the photograph to the application form?

    2 recent passport size color photographs between 3.5 cm wide and 4.5 cm long, white background complying with ICAO guidelines. Please stick one photo to the application form.

  • Which type of visa is the easiest to get?

    You should apply for the category of visa that suits the purpose of your travel. There are no categories that are easier to obtain than others. Please note that your visa may be refused if you apply for the wrong kind of visa.

  • What is the meaning of the following message: “Your application has been received at the Visa Centre”?

    It means “Your passport is at the Visa Centre andis ready for collection”. The passport collection time is anytime between 0800 hours - 1500 hours, Monday to Friday.

  • Can I submit documents or collect passport on behalf of another person?

    If this is the first time you apply for Schengen visa, you must submit the visa application in the Visa Application Center in person. If you have been issued a Schengen visa in the past and could show us the related passport and visa label with remark of “VIS”, you could authorize a third person to submit the visa application on behalf of you. (Except Shanghai Jurisdiction including Shanghai, Hangzhou and Nanjing Visa Application Center).The third person needs to bring an original Power of Attorney signed by the applicant himself/herself and the ID card copy of both parties. Collection on behalf of applicants: the acknowledgement receipt issued by VAC, and the completed authorization letter signed by the applicant along with a copy of the representative’s ID card needs to be presented at the time of collection.

  • Which documents are required for a multiple entry visa? Is the visa fee higher for multiple entry visas?

    For multiple entry visas the same documents are required, as for single entry visas. Please also submit a justification of multiple entries: invitation, air tickets confirmation for the following visits, copies of the previous Schengen visas, etc. The visa fee is the same as for a single entry visa.

  • Where can I buy an insurance policy? Can I do it at your Centre?

    You can buy an insurance policy in advance at any insurance company. We do not have a representative of an insurance company at the Visa Application Centre yet.

  • How long before the start of the intended visit can I apply?

    Applications shall be lodged no more than 6 months before the start of the intended visit.

  • Can I get an urgent visa?

    No, all visas are urgent. Usually applications shall be decided about 10 working days of the date of the lodging of an application which is admissible, provided you are not requested to submit additional documentation or come to an interview. Nonetheless, in certain periods of the year high flows of visa requests can increase this period. It is highly advisable to lodge an application with more than two weeks before date of travel.

  • When should I pay all my fees? Is it necessary to pay visa and service fees in advance?

    Visa and service fees are to be paid in cash right after the submission of your documents at the Visa Application Centre. There is no need to pay the fees in advance. We do not accept bank cards.

  • Do I have to go through an interview at the consulate?

    Please note that during the examination of an application the Embassy may call the applicant for an interview.

  • Who should sign the application form for a minor?

    A parent or the legal guardian should sign the application form for his/her child. An applicant under the age of 18 years cannot sign the application form.

  • Should an authorization of a parent be notarised? Is a copy of the authorization sufficient or should the original also be submitted? Should the parent’s authorization be presented if both parents are travelling with a child?

    • Minors travelling alone or with one parent: Notary Certificate of permission to travel from both parents or legal guardians (when minor is travelling alone) or the parent or legal guardian not travelling (if minor is travelling with one parent), legalised by the Chinese MFA and a Portuguese Embassy/Consulate, and when not in China, attested by the relevant authorities in the country of residence.
    • Notary Certificate of family relation or proof of guardianship, legalised by the Chinese MFA and a Portuguese Embassy/Consulate.

  • What is the maximum period for which a visa can be granted for case of a personal invitation/private visit?

    Depending on the invitation details, visa can be granted for up to a maximum of 90 days in 6 months (Short Term Visa).

  • What should I do after submitting the Visa application?

    Log on to the website to track your application status using the reference number & date of birth.

  • Can Portugal Visa Application Centre staff help me to complete my application form?

    No, Portugal Visa Application Centre staff cannot help you to complete your application form, and they cannot provide any immigration advice to you.