Frequently asked
The questions students actually ask us
Real answers about the D4 student visa, timing, family, working while studying, and how our fees work. If your question isn't here, WhatsApp us — that's how we answer fastest.
If your course lasts more than one year, the standard path is the D4 student visa. It's the long-stay national visa for higher education, technical courses, research, or exchange programmes over 12 months, and it converts into a residence permit once you arrive. Shorter programmes fall under the D5 or a Schengen study visa instead, but for a full degree in Portugal, D4 is what you need.
The D4 is more than a piece of paper stapled to your passport. It's a chance to broaden your horizons, strengthen your CV with an international degree, live in one of Europe's safest and most affordable countries, and open a legitimate path to long-term residency — and eventually citizenship. It's also a gateway to the rest of Europe: once you hold Portuguese residency you can travel freely across the Schengen area.
There are roughly three application windows every year: January–March, April–June, and July–August. The Portuguese academic year starts in late September or early October, so aim to apply as early as you can within your window. Important: you must be enrolled in your course and have paid the required tuition before applying for the D4 — you'll present the acceptance letter, proof of enrolment, and proof of payment together at the consulate.
Yes. Portugal (and Spain) allow family reunification for your spouse or registered partner and children under the same permit framework. Their residence card is issued with a validity matching yours as the main student applicant, and they can live with you throughout your studies. We handle the reunification file end-to-end as a separate service.
On average, around 90 days from the moment your file is submitted at the consulate to the visa decision. Some consulates are faster, some slower — the 90-day mark is a realistic expectation to plan around.
Yes. Students on a D4 are allowed to work, provided it doesn't interfere with their studies. You need to notify immigration beforehand, and unlike some other EU countries there is no fixed weekly hour cap — but studies must remain your primary activity. If your course attendance or grades drop, your permit can be reviewed.
Yes. We handle the equivalent Spanish student visa process end-to-end, including the appointment at the consulate and the follow-up TIE (residence card) at Extranjería once you're in Spain.
You can still book with us. We start preparing your checklist, gathering translations, apostilles, financial proofs and housing options while you wait for the acceptance letter from your institution. That way, the moment it arrives, your file is ready to submit — no wasted weeks.
StuVisa guarantees full compliance with all legal procedures on our end. However, processing times depend exclusively on the relevant government agency or partner (AIMA, Extranjería, the consulate, a partner bank or landlord) — this is outside our control and cannot be guaranteed as a fixed timeline.
Card and MB WAY payments are confirmed instantly on a successful charge. Bank transfers are different: they are never considered effective at the moment you make the transfer. A bank transfer is only considered paid once the funds are confirmed received in our company account, which typically takes 1–3 business days. Until then your order shows as "Awaiting bank confirmation" and we notify you as soon as the credit lands.
No. All fees paid to StuVisa are non-refundable under any circumstance, regardless of the outcome. If your application is rejected by the government entity, you may request a full copy of your case file (all submitted documents and communications) at no additional cost — this does not include a refund of any amount paid.