Portugal visa — Cameroon passport

Good to know

Tourist visa

• Submission periodConditions and details

  The application may be submitted at the earliest six months before the start of the planned visit and, as a general rule, at the latest 15 calendar days before. In duly justified individual cases, a later submission may be authorised.
• Means of subsistence in PortugalConditions and details

  To enter and stay in Portugal with a Schengen visa, the traveller must have, or be able to legally acquire, the equivalent of 75 euros per entry and 40 euros per day of stay. Alternatively, he or she may present a declaration of sponsorship (“termo de responsabilidade”) signed by a Portuguese national or by a foreigner in lawful residence. The order also provides that these amounts may be waived if the traveller proves that his or her accommodation and meals are assured during the stay.
• The visa does not constitute a right of entryConditions and details

  A short-stay visa only allows a person to appear at a border crossing point and to request entry there. At the border, additional documents may be requested: means covering the stay and the return, accommodation conditions, invitation letter or declaration of sponsorship, valid travel medical insurance. Bring copies of the documents submitted with the application.
• Harmonised lists of documentsConditions and details

  In countries where a harmonised list of documents has been adopted (for example Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, India, China or Brazil), consult that list before submission so that no document is missing.
• Non-refundable fees and particular amountsConditions and details

  The fees remunerate solely the processing of the application and are not refunded in the event of refusal. Certain nationalities pay a different amount, under European Union facilitation agreements or a Council implementing decision, and certain categories are exempt from them: pupils, students and teachers travelling for study or training, researchers, family members of citizens of the EU, the EEA, Switzerland or the United Kingdom (withdrawal agreement), among others. The fees may be collected in euros or in the currency of the country of submission.
• Service provider's service feesConditions and details

  The external service provider may collect service fees, in principle at most half of the fees. By way of derogation, they may reach 80 euros in countries where Portugal does not have a consulate receiving applications and is not represented by another Member State, and 120 euros at most in exceptional circumstances.
• Refusal and appealsConditions and details

  A refusal may be contested under Portuguese law: complaint to the author of the decision within 15 days, hierarchical appeal to the member of the Government responsible for Foreign Affairs within three months, submitted at the consular post, or action before the Lisbon administrative circle court within three months. The processing of each administrative appeal costs 75 euros.
• Schengen areaConditions and details

  The Schengen area comprises 29 countries: Austria, Germany, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Croatia, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden and Switzerland.
• Counting the days of stayConditions and details

  The short-stay visa may be valid for at most 90 days per 180-day period, for one or more entries. To count the days already spent in the Schengen area, the portal refers to the European Commission's short-stay calculator, on the EES portal.
• Passport issued less than 10 years agoConditions and details

  For a short stay, Union law requires a travel document valid for at least three months after the planned date of departure from the territory of the Member States and issued in the previous ten years. At the border, the three-month validity requirement may be waived in a justified emergency; this does not constitute a general waiver of the consular list.

Student visa

• Residence visa and temporary-stay visa for studiesConditions and details

  The portal classifies studies under two types of national visa: the temporary-stay visa, which allows entry for stays of less than one year, valid for the duration of the stay and for multiple entries, and the residence visa, valid for two entries and for four months, during which period the holder applies to AIMA for a document to establish residence. For higher education (bachelor's degree, master's, doctorate, post-doctorate), the "Estudo" table refers, in the residence tab, to a residence visa for research, studies, secondary-school pupil exchange, internship and volunteering.
• Studies of one year or less: temporary-stay visaConditions and details

  The portal reserves the temporary-stay visa (less than one year) for study programmes with a duration equal to or less than one year and for student exchanges of the same duration. It then requires, together with the common documents, the proof of acceptance issued by the institution and a declaration of reception by a family or proof of accommodation; the transport ticket guaranteeing return is also required. This sheet describes the residence visa, for longer studies: check the visa that corresponds to the duration of your programme.
• Persons exempt from the long-stay visaConditions and details

  The long-stay visa is required of all nationals of third countries who wish to stay in Portugal for more than 90 days. It does not apply to nationals of a Member State of the European Union, of a State party to the European Economic Area or of a third country linked to the Union by an agreement on the free movement of persons, nor to members of their family.
• Nationals of the EU, the EEA, Andorra and Switzerland: right of entry and residenceConditions and details

  AIMA states that nationals of all European Union countries, family members who accompany or join them, and nationals of States party to the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway), of the Principality of Andorra and of Switzerland, as well as their relatives, enjoy the right of entry, stay and residence in Portugal. This right derives from Law No. 37/2006; it is sufficient to prove nationality or the family link, without a residence permit.
• Visa fee exemptionsConditions and details

  The fees page exempts in particular children up to 6 years of age, descendants of holders of a residence permit under family reunification, foreign nationals who receive a study scholarship awarded by the Portuguese State, highly qualified research activities (residence and temporary stay) and certain patients benefiting from cooperation agreements in the field of health, together with their accompanying persons.
• Validity of the residence visa and residence pre-authorisationConditions and details

  The residence visa allows entry into Portugal in order to apply for a residence permit. It is valid for two entries and for four months. Its issuance is accompanied by a residence pre-authorisation, which carries the information on obtaining the permit and the provisional allocation of the tax, social security and health numbers. The decision period is 60 days, except for shorter periods provided for by law.
• Health insurance required by law for this visaConditions and details

  The law requires health insurance, or equivalent cover, for the planned duration of the stay. For a student admitted to an institution approved under Article 91, paragraph 5 and following, Article 62, paragraph 5, waives the presentation of supporting documents for health insurance, admission and resources, as well as the means of subsistence and travel insurance provided for in Article 52. This waiver concerns the presentation of documents. The minimum amount of means of subsistence may also be waived depending on the circumstances of the case.
• General conditions and grounds for refusal of the residence visaConditions and details

  Subject to the particular conditions and exemptions provided for, the visa is granted only if the applicant is not subject to a removal measure with an entry ban, is not flagged for the purposes of refusal of entry or return, and has means of subsistence, a valid travel document and travel insurance (and, if a minor, parental authorisation). The residence visa is refused to a person who has been convicted of a crime punishable in Portugal by a prison sentence of more than one year, even if not served or suspended, and to a person who constitutes a danger or threat to public order, security, national defence or public health.
• Student residence permit issued by AIMAConditions and details

  The student residence permit is valid for three years and renewable for equal periods; if the programme is shorter, it is issued for its duration. For European Union or multilateral mobility programmes, or agreements between institutions, it is two years or the duration of the programme if that is shorter; it may be one year if the conditions of Article 62, paragraph 4, are not met at the time of its issuance. Its holder may work as an employee or self-employed person in addition to his or her studies. The possibility previously provided for in Article 91, paragraph 4, of obtaining this permit without a residence visa after a lawful entry was repealed as of 11 September 2026. It must no longer be presented as an open procedure on that basis; for a situation already initiated, ask AIMA for confirmation.
• Documents requested by AIMA for the residence permitConditions and details

  For the student residence permit, AIMA requests a valid passport, a valid residence visa, a declaration on honour of the address and of the right to occupy the accommodation, with proof of ownership or a declaration by the landlord or the host as the case may be, means of subsistence, the criminal record of the country of nationality or of the country where the student resided for more than one year before settling in Portugal, proof of enrolment, proof of payment of tuition fees where they apply, and health insurance or proof of coverage by the National Health Service. The student admitted to an approved institution is exempt from presenting proof of means of subsistence and of payment of tuition fees. The scholarship holder of the Camões Institute is exempt from proof of enrolment, payment of fees, health insurance and means of subsistence. These are exemptions from presenting documents, not free education. The reference still present on the AIMA page to the former Article 91, paragraph 4, must be read together with its repeal as of 11 September 2026.
• Family members who accompany the studentConditions and details

  The portal provides for a residence visa to accompany an applicant for a residence visa: the family links must be proven and the applicant and the relatives accompanying him or her must have sufficient stable and regular resources, for the shorter of these two periods: the duration of stay requested or 12 months. Family members include in particular the spouse, minor or incapable dependent children and the partner in a de facto union. This visa is not intended for relatives of legal residents in Portugal, who apply for a family reunification visa after AIMA's decision.
• Basic documents: the post may request othersConditions and details

  The documents indicated by the portal are the basic documents: the consular post may request additional documentation. Therefore consult the page of the competent post and, if it designates one, that of the external service provider.
• Refusal and appealsConditions and details

  A refusal may be challenged under Portuguese law: complaint to the author of the decision within 15 days of notification, hierarchical appeal to the member of the Government responsible for Foreign Affairs within three months (filed at the consular post), or administrative action before the Lisbon administrative circle court within three months. These avenues are not mutually exclusive. The processing of each administrative guarantee procedure costs 75 euros, except for applications arising from family reunification authorisations.

Work visa

• Persons exempt from the long-stay visaConditions and details

  The long-stay visa is required of all nationals of third countries who wish to stay in Portugal for more than 90 days. It does not apply to nationals of a Member State of the European Union, of a State party to the European Economic Area or of a third country linked to the Union by an agreement on the free movement of persons, nor to members of their family.
• Nationals of the EU, the EEA, Andorra and Switzerland: right of entry and residenceConditions and details

  AIMA states that nationals of all European Union countries, family members who accompany or join them, and nationals of States party to the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway), of the Principality of Andorra and of Switzerland, as well as their relatives, enjoy the right of entry, stay and residence in Portugal. This right derives from Law No. 37/2006; it is sufficient to prove nationality or the family link, without a residence permit.
• Legal conditions of the residence visa for salaried workConditions and details

  The law provides for a residence visa for the exercise of salaried activity, granted to a third-country national who meets the general conditions of Article 52 and who has an employment contract or promise of an employment contract, or, with recognized and appropriate qualifications, an individualized expression of interest from the employer. The Institute of Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP) and its services in the autonomous regions maintain an information system of job offers, up to date and accessible to the public on their websites.
• Labour mobility agreements: Cape Verde, India, Morocco, MozambiqueConditions and details

  The labour mobility agreements signed between the Portuguese State and third States aim to facilitate legal and safe labour migration flows. To recruit in Cape Verde, India, Morocco or Mozambique, the employer registers its offer on the IEFP portal, under "ofertas de Emprego – Acordos de Migração", with the target country. These offers provide for contracts of at least one year or, in seasonal work sectors, of six to nine months, with conditions and costs covered by the employer clearly indicated.
• Cooperation protocol for regulated labour migrationConditions and details

  AIMA describes an April 2025 protocol, signed with public bodies (AIMA, Directorate-General for Consular Affairs, IEFP, among others) and employer confederations, which organizes a regulated channel for recruiting foreign workers holding an employment contract. It does not create a new legal regime and does not relax the legal requirements for consular visas: it aims for greater speed and greater responsibility on the part of employers. If your employer recruits under this framework, they will inform you of the steps; AIMA publishes a set of frequently asked questions about it.
• Highly qualified salaried activity: separate procedureConditions and details

  The portal describes a separate residence visa for highly qualified activity exercised by an employee (Article 61-A of the law): contract or promise of an employment contract of at least six months, with an annual remuneration of at least 1.5 times the national average gross annual salary or three times the value of the social support index (IAS), reduced thresholds (1.2 times the average gross annual salary or twice the IAS) for designated professions of major groups 1 and 2 of the international standard classification of occupations, and high professional qualifications. This fact sheet describes the ordinary salaried work visa.
• Validity of the residence visa and residence pre-authorisationConditions and details

  The residence visa allows entry into Portugal in order to apply for a residence permit. It is valid for two entries and for four months. Its issuance is accompanied by a residence pre-authorisation, which carries the information on obtaining the permit and the provisional allocation of the tax, social security and health numbers. The decision period is 60 days, except for shorter periods provided for by law.
• General conditions and grounds for refusal of the residence visaConditions and details

  Subject to the particular conditions and exemptions provided for, the visa is granted only if the applicant is not subject to a removal measure with an entry ban, is not flagged for the purposes of refusal of entry or return, and has means of subsistence, a valid travel document and travel insurance (and, if a minor, parental authorisation). The residence visa is refused to a person who has been convicted of a crime punishable in Portugal by a prison sentence of more than one year, even if not served or suspended, and to a person who constitutes a danger or threat to public order, security, national defence or public health.
• Residence permit issued by AIMA for salaried activityConditions and details

  The temporary residence permit for professional activity is valid for two years from issuance and renewable for successive periods of three years. Its holder may exercise an independent activity: they then request the replacement of the permit at an AIMA office, by prior appointment. For the application, AIMA requests the valid passport, the valid residence visa, the employer's declaration on honour attesting to the employment relationship, the declaration on honour of the residence address (with proof of ownership or declaration from the landlord as applicable), and proof of registration with the tax administration and social security.
• Family members who accompany the workerConditions and details

  The portal provides for a residence visa to accompany an applicant for a residence visa: the family links must be proven and the applicant and the relatives accompanying him or her must have sufficient stable and regular resources, for the shorter of these two periods: the duration of stay requested or 12 months. Family members include in particular the spouse, minor or incapable dependent children and the partner in a de facto union. This visa is not intended for relatives of legal residents in Portugal, who apply for a family reunification visa after AIMA's decision.
• Basic documents: the post may request othersConditions and details

  The documents indicated by the portal are the basic documents: the consular post may request additional documentation. Therefore consult the page of the competent post and, if it designates one, that of the external service provider.
• Refusal and appealsConditions and details

  A refusal may be challenged under Portuguese law: complaint to the author of the decision within 15 days of notification, hierarchical appeal to the member of the Government responsible for Foreign Affairs within three months (filed at the consular post), or administrative action before the Lisbon administrative circle court within three months. These avenues are not mutually exclusive. The processing of each administrative guarantee procedure costs 75 euros, except for applications arising from family reunification authorisations.