Guide: Secondary school residence permit 🇵🇹

🔥The guidelines are correct, but details regarding changes to SEF in AIMA will be provided later when more clarification becomes available.⏱Addresses within Portugal are also becoming outdated; we will update them accordingly
  • 🎓Who can obtain: non-Portuguese children between the ages of 12 and 18 who are enrolled in public or private schools.
  • 💡 Additionally: students taking qualification courses at secondary schools
  • 👪 Parents: after your child gets a residence permit you can apply for family reunification and receive one as well after a few months.
  • Means of subsistence: When reuniting with a child, savings and stable income must be shown
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According to the law, high school students (grades 10-12) are eligible for this type of residency permit. Worth mentioning that there have been uncommon cases where a permit has been issued to students as young as 7th grade in a Portuguese school.

The permit is valid for one year and can be renewed annually if the child continues their studies. Although it provides full residency rights, it does not allow the child to work in Portugal. However, the parents will be able to work once they are reunited with their child.

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Check-list of documents for the SEF application

  • Passport
  • Birth certificate
  • Certificate of no criminal record (for applicants over 16 years)
  • Proof of livelihood
  • Proof of housing
  • SEF authorization to review the Portuguese criminal record (except for children under 16 years of age)
  • Proof of enrollment in an educational institution;
  • Proof of tuition fees required by the educational institution
  • Health insurance
  • Applications submitted without a resident visa must provide proof of legal entry and stay in Portugal.

Do you still have questions? Feel free to ask us.

What does a typical process looks like:

1

Come as a tourist and enroll your child into a school

Rent a place for a long-term stay. Obtain NIF's and a certificate from Junta. Afterwards enroll your child in a selected school.

2

Make an appointment

Make an appointment with the SEF (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras) under Section 92.3. You can call 217 115 000.

3

Apply to SEF

Gather all the necessary documents and apply on a designated date.

4

Get a residence permit card.

After your SEF appointment, you will receive your child's residence permit card in the mail within 2-12 weeks."

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