Okay, here’s my experience applying for a tourist visa for Portugal, written in a casual, blog-style format:
Alright, so Portugal, right? Beautiful place, amazing food, and I really wanted to go. But first, the dreaded visa application. Let me tell you, it wasn’t as scary as I thought, but it definitely took some planning.
Figuring Out What I Needed
First things first, I had to figure out what kind of documents I needed. I started by Googling around, and quickly I found the offical website. It has a super helpful list of everything, but it’s a lot to take in.
Basically, the main stuff was:
- Application form: Had to fill this bad boy out online. Pretty standard questions, nothing too crazy.
- Passport photos: Got these done at a local shop. Make sure they follow the exact size requirements, or they’ll reject them.
- Passport: Obviously, you need your passport. Make sure it’s valid for at least six months after your planned trip.
- Flight itinerary: I didn’t book the actual flights yet, just a reservation. There are services online that do this for a small fee. Didn’t want to risk buying a non-refundable ticket before getting the visa!
- Hotel booking: Same as the flights, I just made a refundable reservation for a hotel.
- Travel insurance: This is a MUST. You need proof of travel insurance that covers medical emergencies and repatriation. I just found a plan online that fit the requirements.
- Proof of funds: This was the tricky part. I needed to show I had enough money to support myself during the trip. Bank statements for the last three months did the trick.
- Employment letter (if applicable): Since I have a job, I got a letter from my boss confirming my employment, salary, and approved vacation time.
Gathering and Preparing the Documents
Gathering everything took the longest time, I am not going to lie. Printing out bank statements, getting the photos, filling out the form… It’s a whole process. I made a checklist to make sure I didn’t forget anything. Double-checking and triple-checking is KEY.
The Appointment
You can’t just walk in, you need to book an appointment online. Slots fill up FAST, so book well in advance. I mean it, like weeks in advance.
The appointment itself was pretty straightforward. I went in, handed over all my documents, they checked everything, and asked me a few basic questions about my trip (where I was going, why, etc.). The person was very friendly and professional, it wasn’t stressful as I imagined.
Waiting for the Decision…
The waiting game is the hardest part! They told me it would take about 15 business days, but it can vary. I was constantly checking my email and the online tracking system (if they have one). Try not to stress too much during this period (easier said than done, I know!).
Getting the Visa!
Finally, I got the email saying my visa was approved! I went back to pick up my passport, and there it was, the beautiful Schengen visa sticker. Such a relief! I felt all offical.
My biggest tip? Start early, be organized, and double-check everything. It’s a bit of a hassle, but totally worth it in the end. Now, time to actually book those flights and start planning the fun part of the trip!
