Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) — Visiting Family/Friends Verified 2026-06-09Portugal Visit Visa (Family & Friends — Schengen Type C)
Portugal Schengen visa to visit family or friends from India — host invitation, Statement of Responsibility, fees and VFS process.
No visa is ever guaranteed — the final decision always rests with the Portugal visa authority. We make sure your file is presented at its strongest.
Processing
15 calendar days from when the application reaches the Consular Section of the Embassy of Portugal in New Delhi (up to 2 working days to travel there from VFS)
Stay Duration
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period (across the Schengen area)
Starting Fee
₹10,109
Apply At
12 VFS centres
Where do you stand?
Tell us your situation
Pick what fits — no long forms, just a quick WhatsApp or a call.
Why files get refused
Most Portugal visit visa refusals come down to a few fixable things
Refusals are common now, and the government fee is non-refundable. The good news: almost every reason below is something we can strengthen before you submit.
Travel medical insurance below €30,000, not covering the full trip, or not from an approved insurer.
Bank statements that are not original, not bank-stamped/signed, or not on A4 — or insufficient funds for the stay.
Weak proof of ties to India / intent to return (no leave letter, no business proof, no fixed itinerary).
Incomplete documentation, unsigned/partial application form, or documents not translated into Portuguese/English.
Inconsistent or unconvincing travel purpose, accommodation, or itinerary.
Photographs not meeting spec (older than 6 months, wrong size, eyewear under Goa jurisdiction).
What we actually do
We build a stronger file — you don't guess
Check your profile before filing
We tell you honestly if the case is ready — before you spend the government fee.
Review funds & ITR alignment
Bank statement, income and tax records presented the way officers expect.
Structure purpose & cover letter
A clear travel story that answers the officer's real questions.
Show strong ties to India
Job, business, property and family framed as genuine reasons to return.
Sponsor & invitation papers
If family is inviting you, we line their documents up with your profile — a common silent refusal trigger.
Guide the full submission
Online portal or VFS appointment, biometrics and passport steps — supported until the decision.
Refused before?
We rebuild refused Portugal cases the right way.
Reapplying with the same file usually earns the same answer. We find the real reason first, then rebuild — no guarantees, just a properly prepared reapplication.
Before you reapply, we check:
- What your refusal letter actually says — and what it doesn't.
- Whether the officer's GCMS notes are worth pulling for the real reason.
- Which documents were weak: funds, employment, purpose, or ties.
- Whether reapplying now — or strengthening first — is the smarter move.
Same flat fee whether it's your first application or a reapplication. Read the refusal guide
Your whole Portugal Visit Visa (Family & Friends),
handled for one honest price.
A strong Portugal file clearly explains your travel purpose, funds, and ties to India. We structure and submit everything properly — so your case is presented clearly and professionally.
All-in · 18% GST included · no hidden charges
File-ready in 3–5 working days after documents
5★ · 92 reviews · reply in 5 min
Everything below — included, nothing extra
- Document checklist
- Application form guidance
- Document review
- Cover letter
- Purpose of travel structure
- Financial proof review
- Sponsor document guidance
- Submission & appointment support
- Post-submission guidance
Not sure you qualify? Start with a refundable ₹499 possibility report — an honest Yes / Maybe / No, credited to this fee. Read the full guide
Price is for our consultancy service only and includes 18% GST. No agency can guarantee a visa — the final decision rests with the visa authority.
Your fee, justified
₹14,999 fee — what exactly is included?
Our professional fee isn't just form-filling. It covers complete Portugal visitor visa preparation, document & refusal-risk review, financial-proof structuring, submission support and post-filing guidance. Tap any item to see what's inside.
Before we prepare your Portugal visitor visa file, we understand your complete profile — every applicant is different, so no two files are built the same way.
- Purpose of travel
- Employment or business background
- Monthly income & savings
- Funds available for the trip
- Family ties in India
- Property / assets, if any
- Previous travel history
- Relatives, friends or a sponsor in Portugal, if any
- Previous visa refusals, if any
- Planned trip duration
- Who is paying for the trip
- Whether the trip is realistic for your profile
A visitor visa isn't approved just because documents are attached — the purpose, funds, travel plan and return ties all have to support each other.
We don't hand everyone the same checklist. After understanding your profile, we build one for your exact case type:
- Salaried
- Business owner
- Self-employed
- Farmer / agriculture income
- Student or minor
- Retired parent
- Housewife / dependent
- Family visit
- Tourist visit
- Business visitor
- Previous refusal
- Sponsor-supported
- First-time traveller
This avoids missing key documents — and avoids piling on documents that aren't explained properly.
We review your documents before preparing and submitting, checking they're complete, readable, consistent and well-arranged:
- Passport & photographs
- Bank statements
- Salary slips
- ITR / Form 16
- Employment & leave-approval letters
- Business / GST / registration proof
- Income proof
- Property documents, if any
- Family & marriage documents, if applicable
- Invitation & sponsor documents, if applicable
- Previous refusal letter, if any
- Travel history, itinerary & stay proof
Funds are one of the most common refusal triggers. A high balance alone isn't enough if the money doesn't look genuine, stable, and tied to your income. We check:
- Whether the balance is reasonable for the trip
- Average balance vs trip cost
- Sudden large deposits that need explaining
- Salary / business income vs bank statement
- ITR vs income profile
- Whether you can afford the trip without leaning entirely on a sponsor
- Whether sponsor support is properly explained
- Whether funds look genuine and traceable
We help structure the financial side professionally so it reads as genuine, not borrowed for the application.
We help present a clear, realistic purpose — tourism, a holiday, a family/relative visit, an event, a business meeting, or parents visiting children — and make sure it lines up with your dates, funds, itinerary and documents.
A weak or vague purpose makes a file look doubtful. We keep it clear, simple and professional.
We prepare or structure the main explanation letter — a professional summary that makes your case easy for the officer to understand. It covers:
- Who you are and why you want to visit
- How long you'll stay and where
- Who is paying for the trip
- What you do in India
- Which financial documents are attached
- Your family ties in India
- Why you'll return after the visit
- If previously refused — what has changed since
This is not a guarantee letter — it's a clear, professional explanation of your case.
The officer must be satisfied you'll leave Portugal after your authorized stay. We identify and present your reasons to return:
- Job continuity or business ownership
- Regular income source
- Spouse / children / parents in India
- Dependents and family responsibilities
- Property or assets in India
- Education or business commitments
- Previous travel compliance, if any
If someone in Portugal is inviting you, we guide the sponsor-side documents:
- Invitation letter
- Sponsor status proof (passport / PR / citizenship)
- Sponsor employment & income proof
- Sponsor bank statement, if needed
- Relationship & communication proof
- Who bears expenses & stay arrangement
A sponsor supports the case but never guarantees approval — your own purpose, funds and ties must still be strong. We also flag if a file is leaning too heavily on the sponsor.
We guide or assist with the application form and details (online portal or the VFS/embassy form, depending on Portugal), and check consistency between the form and your documents:
- Personal, passport & travel-history details
- Employment & education history
- Family information
- Purpose of visit & funding details
- Sponsor information, if applicable
- Previous-refusal declarations
- Background questions
- Correct document categories
Wrong, incomplete or inconsistent information can hurt this application — and future ones too.
How a file is lodged depends on the country — some are fully online, while others (most Schengen states) need you to complete the form first, then book a VFS appointment and submit a physical file in person. We guide the exact Portugal process:
- Completing the application form first, where required, to unlock the appointment
- Booking the VFS / embassy appointment
- Arranging documents in the right order — for upload or the VFS counter
- Guiding the visa-fee payment
- Final review before submission or your VFS visit
- What to carry to the appointment (originals, photos, forms)
- Submitting / lodging and saving the confirmation
- What happens after submission
After submission, if biometrics are required, we guide you through:
- Biometrics Instruction Letter
- VFS appointment booking
- Documents to carry
- What to expect at the VFS centre
- How biometrics update in your application
- What to do once biometrics are done
Biometrics fee is separate, paid to the authority / VFS as applicable.
Our support doesn't stop at submission. We stay connected and guide you on:
- How to check application updates
- What official messages mean
- What to do if more documents are requested
- What to do after a Passport Request
- VFS passport submission & courier return
- Decision-update explanation
- Next steps after approval
- Basic guidance if refused
What's not included (paid direct, at actual cost)
- Government / embassy visa fee
- Biometrics fee
- VFS service charges
- VFS courier & SMS charges
- VFS premium-lounge charges
- Travel insurance
- Flight tickets
- Hotel bookings
- Translation charges
- Notary / attestation
- Medical exam, if ever required
- Any other third-party charges
No agency can guarantee a visa — the final decision is always the visa officer's. Our role is to prepare, review, structure and present your file professionally from the documents and profile you provide.
Good to know before you apply
Rules that apply to every Portugal visa type — worth a quick read so nothing trips up your file.
- 1Passport must be issued within the last 10 years, have at least 2 blank pages, and remain valid at least 3 months beyond your departure from the Schengen area.
- 2Applications are accepted only within 3 months (short-stay) of the requested arrival date and can be lodged up to 6 months in advance.
- 3Travel medical insurance is MANDATORY — minimum €30,000 cover for the full trip, all risks, from an approved insurer; without it the application is refused.
- 4Biometrics (fingerprints + photograph) are captured in person at the VFS centre; the VFS service fee must be pre-paid online to confirm the appointment.
- 5Applicants who have not lived in India for at least 6 months cannot apply at VFS in India — they must apply in their country of residence. Applicants resident in Sri Lanka / Bangladesh apply via the French Embassy in Colombo / Dhaka.
- 6All documents, forms and declarations must be in Portuguese or English — anything in another language must be accompanied by a Portuguese/English translation, or it is treated as 'missing'.
- 7Do not staple documents; submit on A4 paper in the order given on the Embassy checklist. Family members of EU/Portuguese nationals are fee-exempt and should contact the Embassy (visas.novadeli@mne.pt).
Who Can Apply
- Indian nationals visiting relatives or friends who live in Portugal
- Parents / spouse / children visiting a family member legally resident in Portugal
- Applicants resident in India for at least the last 6 months
Not eligible under this visa:
- Family members joining a Portugal resident permanently (needs a National Type D family-reunification visa)
- Stays beyond 90 days (needs a National Type D visa)
Previously refused?
Same feeWe rebuild refused Portugal cases the right way.
What it costs
Government & VFS fees
Paid directly to Portugal / VFS — these are not our service fee, and we never mark them up.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Adult visa (Schengen Type C) | ₹10,109 |
| Child 6–12 years | ₹5,055 |
| Child under 6 years | FREE |
| VFS service charge | ₹3,513 |
| Optional — Courier | ₹750 |
| Optional — SMS service | ₹350 |
| Optional — Premium Lounge | ₹3,500 |
Visa fee and VFS service charges are non-refundable if the visa is refused or the application is withdrawn while under processing. Refund of the VFS service fee is only considered where the applicant could not attend due to medical reasons (with valid medical proof). All charges can be paid by Cash / Visa / MasterCard / RuPay. The VFS service fee must be pre-paid online before the appointment is confirmed (effective 26 Feb 2020, PAN-India). Family members of EU / Portuguese nationals are exempt from the visa fee (the VFS service charge still applies) — contact the Embassy at visas.novadeli@mne.pt.
What to gather
Documents required
Having a document isn't the same as presenting it right — that's the part we handle.
Mandatory — every applicant
11 items- Schengen Visa Application Form (Type C)Required
All pages completed and signed; one form per applicant
- Valid national passportRequired
Issued within the last 10 years; valid at least 3 months beyond the scheduled return; minimum 2 blank pages; no handwritten passports or post-01/04/2010 manual entries to biographical data
- Copy of passport bio-data page + last pageRequired
Plus clear copies of all Schengen / valid UK-USA-Canada visas held, if any
- Previous passport(s), if any
Bound with a rubber band (not stapled); a written note required if lost
- Two passport-size photographs (35–40 mm, white background)Required
Not older than 6 months; one pasted on form, one clipped to the passport; no eyewear under Goa jurisdiction
- Personal cover letterRequired
Original letter explaining the travel plan, with reference to the means of transport and itinerary
- Round-trip transport document / flight reservationRequired
Showing applicant name, departure and return dates; intra-Schengen flight/train/car-rental itinerary if visiting multiple states
- Accommodation proof for the entire stayRequired
Hotel reservation, holiday-home rental, campus residence or package-tour confirmation covering the whole Schengen stay
- Travel medical insurance (ORIGINAL) + Travel Health DeclarationRequired
Minimum €30,000 / US$50,000 / CHF 50,000 cover; all risks (illness, accident, emergency hospital treatment, repatriation); covers the full Schengen stay including arrival and departure; approved Indian insurer
- Proof of legal residence
Required only if the applicant is not a national of India, Bhutan or Nepal — a residence permit for the country of stay
- Refusal notice / written explanation of any visa refused in the last 2 years
Proof of financial means (ORIGINAL, A4, bank-stamped + signed)
2 items- Personal bank statements — last 3 monthsRequired
Original, stamped and signed by the bank, on A4 paper
- Personal Income Tax Return (ITR) — last 2 assessment yearsRequired
Only ITR-V / Indian Income Tax Return Verification Form / Acknowledgement is accepted
If EMPLOYED
2 items- Last 3 months salary slips + last 3 months salary-account statementsRequired
- Employer's letter approving leaveRequired
On company letterhead, stating designation and approved leave dates
If SELF-EMPLOYED / COMPANY OWNER
3 items- Business / GST registration certificate (with annex A & B) / Partnership Deed / proof of proprietorshipRequired
- Last 3 months personal + business bank statementsRequired
- Company's and personal ITR — last 2 assessment yearsRequired
ITR-V / Acknowledgement only
If RETIRED
2 items- Personal pension bank statement — last 3 monthsRequired
- Proof of regular income from property / business
If STUDENT / UNEMPLOYED
2 items- Letter confirming enrolment + NOC from college / school / universityRequired
- Parent/guardian's bank statements (last 3 months) + confirmation of financial support + copy of their passportRequired
ITR for the last 2 assessment years of the supporter
If SPONSORED / invited by a person legally resident in Portugal
3 items- “Statement of Responsibility” (Termo de Responsabilidade)Required
Original, signed by the sponsor and certified by a Portuguese public notary/lawyer; with a copy of the sponsor's Portuguese ID/passport or residence permit
- Sponsor's Declaração de IRS (last 2 years), salary slips (3 months), Portuguese bank statements (3 months), property title or rental contractRequired
- Marriage / birth certificate with Hague Apostille
Mandatory if the sponsor is your spouse (marriage cert) or parent (birth cert)
If a MINOR
4 items- Birth certificate (Hague Apostille)Required
- Notarised consent of the absent parent/guardianRequired
If travelling with one parent only (or a court order proving sole custody)
- Notarised consent of BOTH parents/guardiansRequired
If the minor travels alone
- Copies of parents'/guardians' photo ID (with signature and photo)Required
Family / friends visit-specific documents
4 items- Invitation from the host in PortugalRequired
Stating the host's full address, contact number, your relationship, and the exact dates of your stay
- “Statement of Responsibility” (Termo de Responsabilidade)
If the host sponsors your stay — original, signed and certified by a Portuguese public notary/lawyer; with the host's Declaração de IRS (2 years), salary slips (3 months), Portuguese bank statements (3 months) and property title/rental contract
- Proof of the host's legal residence in PortugalRequired
Copy of the host's Portuguese ID/passport (if a citizen) or residence permit (if a foreign resident)
- Proof of relationship
Marriage certificate (if host is your spouse) or birth certificate (if host is your parent) — with Hague Apostille for Indian nationals
Required · optional / if applicable
The journey.
4 steps from intake to approval. Curved spine on the right shows the natural pace — never as linear as government sites pretend.
- 01
1. Get the host's invitation
Ask your host to prepare the invitation / Statement of Responsibility with their address, contact, your stay dates and proof of their legal residence in Portugal.
- 02
2. Complete the Schengen form
Fill in and sign all pages of the Portugal Schengen Type C form and assemble your file in checklist order.
- 03
3. Book and pre-pay at VFS
Book a VFS appointment and pre-pay the VFS service fee online to confirm it (fee-exempt EU/Portuguese family members contact the Embassy).
- 04
4. Submit + biometrics + decision
Submit in person, give biometrics, and track via VFS. The Embassy normally decides within 15 calendar days of receiving the complete file.
What works
3 levers that flip a borderline case.
- A notarised Statement of Responsibility from your host strengthens the application — plain emails are weak proof of accommodation/funding.
- Make sure the host's documents (residence proof, bank statements, IRS) match the dates and purpose on your form.
- If you are a family member of an EU/Portuguese national, you are fee-exempt — email the Embassy at visas.novadeli@mne.pt before booking.
What kills cases
Top 3 refusal triggers we see.
- 1Travel medical insurance below €30,000, not covering the full trip, or not from an approved insurer.
- 2Bank statements that are not original, not bank-stamped/signed, or not on A4 — or insufficient funds for the stay.
- 3Weak proof of ties to India / intent to return (no leave letter, no business proof, no fixed itinerary).
Download official forms
Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.
How to download from VFS:
- Click the form name below — opens the official VFS Global page for Portugal
- Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
- Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
- Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device
VFS application centres
Quiz not yet available for this visa type
We're actively building per-visa quizzes. For now, the best way to assess your eligibility for Portugal Visit Visa (Family & Friends — Schengen Type C) is a free 1-on-1 consultation with our team.
Free · No obligation · Reply in minutesFrequently asked
Questions, answered straight
It is the Termo de Responsabilidade — a formal undertaking by your host in Portugal to be responsible for your stay, certified by a Portuguese public notary or lawyer, submitted with the host's income, bank and accommodation proof.
Not necessarily. You can show your own funds (bank statements + ITR). But if the host is sponsoring you, they must provide the Statement of Responsibility plus their financial and residence documents.
Yes — core family members of EU / Portuguese nationals are exempt from the visa fee, though the VFS service charge still applies. Contact the Embassy at visas.novadeli@mne.pt for the process.
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period. For a longer or permanent stay with family, a National Type D family-reunification visa is required instead.
Still have a question about your case? Ask us directly — we usually reply in 5 minutes.
Before you apply
Two ways to file your Portugal visa.
One quietly burns your fee, your trip and your record. The other gets it right the first time.
Do it yourself
The risky route
- You guess which papers Portugal actually wants — one missing or wrongly-framed document triggers a refusal.
- You copy a cover letter off YouTube or Google — often the exact template embassies already flag as weak.
- You apply during a known peak-rejection window without realising it.
- Embassy & VFS fees are non-refundable — refused means your money, flights and leave are gone.
- One refusal stamp follows you for life — every future visa, anywhere, must declare it.
Typical result
~1 in 2 visitor files refused
With SureshotVisa
Professionally guided
- A licensed consultant checks your case honestly before you spend a rupee on embassy fees.
- We build your Portugal file the way the embassy approves — documents, cover letter, financials.
- We catch the weak-ties, funding and intent issues behind 70% of Indian refusals — and fix them first.
- We've rescued hundreds of files that were already refused once and got them approved.
- Govt of Punjab licensed (Licence 849/DC/PTA/PLA/LC-3/2024) · 1200+ approvals.
Typical result
1200+ approvals · refused files rescued
Why DIY goes wrong
How a self-filed application turns into a refusal.
- 1
You feel ready
A few YouTube videos make the process look simple.
- 2
You file it yourself
You submit a sensitive Portugal visa file on your own.
- 3
One detail misreads
A small framing slip looks like weak ties or unclear intent.
- 4
Refusal
Now every future visa, anywhere, must declare it.
Once you've been refused, you learn the hard way how much the small details mattered. We'd rather you never collect that first stamp.
Trusted by families
We've helped many families get their Portugal visa — the easy way.
From first-time Portugal visa applicants to cases that were refused elsewhere, our licensed team has guided families through Portugal's exact requirements — so the file is approved the first time, without the stress, guesswork or risk of a refusal.
Other Portugal Visa Types
Portugal Tourist Visa (Schengen Type C — Short Stay)
Apply for a Portugal Schengen tourist visa from India — fees, documents, VFS process and tips for Indian travellers.
View guidePortugal Business Visa (Schengen Type C)
Portugal Schengen business visa from India — for meetings, conferences and training. Fees, documents, invitation letters and VFS process.
View guidePortugal Student Visa (National Type D — Long Stay)
Portugal National Type D student visa from India — for study, research or internships over 90 days. Documents, process and AIMA route.
View guidePortugal Work Visa / Permit (National Type D — Information Only)
Information about Portugal's National Type D work visa/permit. SureshotVisa does NOT process work visas or permits — this page is informational only.
View guidePortugal Tourist Visa (Schengen Type C — Short Stay)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian citizens visiting Portugal for tourism — Lisbon, Porto, Algarve, Madeira, Azores — up to 90 days.
View guidePortugal Business / Conference Visa (Schengen Type C)
Short-stay Schengen visa for Indian business professionals attending meetings, conferences, training, or trade events in Portugal.
View guidePortugal Visa for Visiting Family & Friends (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian citizens visiting family or friends resident in Portugal — up to 90 days.
View guidePortugal Film Crew Visa (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian film crew members on shooting assignments in Portugal — up to 90 days.
View guideSource & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global Portugal website and Embassy of Portugal. Last verified 2026-06-09. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.
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