Schengen Visa for Portugal

Has anyone done this?

We are hoping to have a holiday in either Spain or Portugal and we are erring on the side of Portugal just now. I have been doing a bit of research and I have discovered that if you don't live in the south of the UK then you have to apply through the consulate in Manchester, which is handier than London for us. There is a hint that it can be done online but will need to check this out more thoroughly.

We got a schenzen visa for the wife, but that was several years ago. I can't remember the Address but It was in the middle of Manchester.
That was for Spain BTW. Don't know if you can do it on line !

Hope I can help you here,..my wife has had 6 schengen visa,s since she arrived in Scotland 8 years ago. We needed them to visit friends in Holland over the years , so we naturally went to the Dutch Embassy in Edinburgh. I'm sure I'm right in saying this , that you can travel to ANY of the Schengen countries with ANY of the countries Visa's. Like for instance we went to Tenerife one year, Ibiza another year, and been to France and Belgium earlier this year , and all on the Dutch Schengen visa !
So I'm thinking can you not just go to the nearest Embassy of any of the Schengen countries ?

Jonny

Jim. I think I have been reading that the Spanish Consulate has closed down in Manchester. Unfortunately. Only a year or two ago.

John, unless things have changed very significantly your wife will need to apply at the Embassy of the country you intend to visit. Alternatively apply at the embassy of the first Schenghen country you will arrive to.

Legally, she is allowed a Schenghen Visa without any charge and without going through an agency or premium route. She is a family member of an EU citizen exercising freedom of movement rights
Note that legally she does not need to provide all the documentation normally needed for a visa to Portugal.

May I suggest you send an e-mail to the Portugese Embassy, informing them you are an EU citizen exercising freedom of movement rights, and requesting information on their procedures for securing the visa asap and also requesting the documentation needed.
Mention The EU directive and that you need the visa asap.

Normally you should recieve a polite response with all good info.
This visa ashould be free of any charges and issued in double quick time

Good luck

Okay. We have decided that Portugal it is. Evidently there is a Portugese Consulate in Manchester. So we will hop over to Manchester in March and apply for the Schengen visa then.

http://portuguese-embassy.co.uk/en/...o-unido/17-consulado-geral-de-manchester.html

If not then it will have to be a trip to London.

I will give them a bell after New Year and see what they say. I managed to speak to VFS for a Spanish Schengen Visas on friday, at least it is possible to give them a call - it was a foreigner that answered but I swear she wasnt Spanish. Anyway, I did get some sense out of her.

I will also email them.

I have been to Portugal many times and not just the Algarve, and I think my wife will enjoy it and enjoy the warmer weather for a change.

It will be interesting to learn how the Portugese embassy respond.
Under EU law they are obliged to grant a Family Member a visa free of charges and within a short of time as possible.
John, I know you enjoy researching. If you have time take a look at the The Schenghen Visa Handbook

See page 92 (From part 3 which covers family members of EEA nationals.)

Plenty of Embassies now outsource this activity and charge a fee. Technically this is illegal for Family Members of EU nationals.
Yes I know, that challenging these people may cause delay.
But it's comforting to know that even if you follow their illegal procedures you can claim refunds and compensation at a later date. In which case time is on your side.

Yes, I noticed that with VFS and the Spanish embassy. Thusfar I havent seen VFS or any other third party linked to the Portugese embassy.

Thanks for the link. I will print it off at work on Monday.

I'm very fond of Portugal.
I spent a lot of time there on business. Never made much money from it but really loved the country so returned at every opportunity. No matter how slight.
Lisbon is a wonderful city to visit. If you've never been, it's well worth the effort.

I have been through Lisbon but spent a lot of time further north near Alcobaca and Leiria and districts. Good wine growing region.

:attension:
That's an EU document, be frugal

We have emailed the Manchester Consulate for the Portugese Embassy, like they instruct us to do on their automated answer phone service, but no reply after a week. Its beginning to look like this wasn't a good idea. Maybe a trip to Morocco instead, methinks, where the wife will not need a "schenanigins" visa. We don't seem to be able to phone them directly, even to ask a simple question. The world of visas eh? Same everywhere.

Next stage is a recorded delivery letter.

Low and behold, after much moaning, my wife got an email today from the Portugese Consulate in Manchester. They have outlined the application procedure including an interview at the Consulate offices in Manchester. Looking a bit better, for now......


"Dear Madam

I would like to inform you that visa applications are by appointment. Via the link below you can complete your application form online and also book your appointment online.

http://www.secomunidades.pt/vistos/...content&view=article&id=171&Itemid=14&lang=pt

This link takes you to an international page with various country flags. Under the British Flag, click the second link which takes you to the online application form which also shows the calendar of appointments under ‘schedule’ – once you select the appropriate Consulate you will be able to see the availability


I would like to confirm that there is no charge for visa applicants who are married to EU nationals, if travelling together.

At your interview, you will need to submit the following documentation:

- marriage certificate
- proof that you and your spouse are travelling together
- original plus photocopy of your spouse passport
- original plus photocopy of your passport with UK Residence Visa
- 1 up-to-date colour passport photograph
- Prepaid self-addressed Special Delivery Envelope (up to 500gr), if you wish your visa to be posted to you

On the day of your appointment, please ensure you bring with you all the documentation listed in the attachment(s), as without it we will be unable to process your request. All original documents should be presented together with a photocopy (each photocopy taken at the Consulate incurs a charge of GBP 2.61, according to article 73 of the Consular Fees Table). We regret we cannot accept payment by cheque or card


Com os melhores cumprimentos,
O Consulado Geral de Portugal
cs
1 Portland Street, Manchester M1 3BE
0161 2360990, seg a sex 9:00-13:00 e 14:00-17:00"

Excellent news indeed John.

At least they are fully abiding by EU rules/directives with too much cajoling. :vhappy:

Well done.

I just love success stories :wave:

PS: BTW, they have virtually no movement for refusal

Yes.

Did you notice that they want to see evidence of the holiday plans?


" proof that you and your spouse are travelling together "


We have put down a deposit on a flight and accommodation so we will be able to do that.

On 21st January, in response to our email sent to the Portugese Consulate, when enquiring about an appointment date. Just to complicate the issue....

"Dear Madam
You shouldn´t book your appointment more than 3 months prior to your travelling date. We cannot issue a visa more than 2 months prior to your travelling date.

Com os melhores cumprimentos,
O Consulado Geral de Portugal "

The joy of visas.

Below is our instructions. We had aimed to make an appointment for the week after next but looks like all the slots are taken into early April....

"Dear Madam
I would like to inform you that visa applications are by appointment. Via the link below you can complete your application form online and also book your appointment online.

http://www.secomunidades.pt/vistos/...content&view=article&id=171&Itemid=14&lang=pt

This link takes you to an international page with various country flags. Under the British Flag, click the second link which takes you to the online application form which also shows the calendar of appointments under ‘schedule’ – once you select the appropriate Consulate you will be able to see the availability

I would like to confirm that there is no charge for visa applicants who are married to EU nationals, if travelling together.

At your interview, you will need to submit the following documentation:

- marriage certificate
- proof that you and your spouse are travelling together
- original plus photocopy of your spouse passport
- original plus photocopy of your passport with UK Residence Visa
- 1 up-to-date colour passport photograph
- Prepaid self-addressed Special Delivery Envelope (up to 500gr), if you wish your visa to be posted to you

On the day of your appointment, please ensure you bring with you all the documentation listed in the attachment(s), as without it we will be unable to process your request. All original documents should be presented together with a photocopy (each photocopy taken at the Consulate incurs a charge of GBP 2.61, according to article 73 of the Consular Fees Table). We regret we cannot accept payment by cheque or card"

Thanks John for providing helpful updates.

I've only ever known 2 cases with Portugese Embassies. Both from members here.

Can't say I'm impressed when compared to other Schenghen member states.
All good info though
Thanks

The most annoying thing with them is that one can't phone anyone on any query one might have. Only line of communication is email (or presumably by letter).

I used to have a contact there John, I'll try to find his details.