Family members of students on a Student Visa in Portugal may be able to join them, depending on visa regulations. Spouses and children may be eligible or need their own visa.
Yes, family members can join you in Portugal while you are on a student visa, but this is subject to specific conditions and procedures under the family reunification process. Here’s how it works:
1. Eligibility for Family Reunification
- Eligible Family Members: Under the family reunification process, eligible family members typically include your spouse or partner, minor children, dependent adult children, and dependent parents. Each family member’s eligibility depends on their relationship to you and their dependency status.
- Student Status: You must be a full-time student with a valid residence permit in Portugal for your family members to apply for reunification. Part-time students or those on short-term visas may not be eligible to bring family members under this process.
2. Application Process
- Initiating the Process: The application for family reunification must be initiated at the Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF), the Portuguese immigration authority. You will need to submit an application on behalf of your family members, along with the required documentation.
- Required Documentation: The documents typically required for family reunification include proof of relationship (e.g., marriage certificate, birth certificates), your valid residence permit, proof of financial means to support your family, proof of accommodation that can house the family members, and health insurance coverage for each family member.
- Processing Time: The processing time for family reunification can vary but generally takes several months. It’s important to apply well in advance to ensure that your family members can join you in a timely manner.
3. Financial and Accommodation Requirements
- Proof of Financial Means: You must demonstrate that you have sufficient financial resources to support your family members during their stay in Portugal. This may include proof of income, bank statements, or financial support from scholarships.
- Accommodation Proof: You must also provide evidence of suitable accommodation that meets the needs of your family members. This could be a rental contract or a letter from your university if on-campus housing is provided.
4. Rights of Family Members
- Residence Permits: Once the family reunification application is approved, your family members will be granted residence permits, allowing them to live in Portugal. These permits are usually tied to the duration of your student visa.
- Work and Study: Spouses or partners who join you under family reunification may be allowed to work in Portugal, subject to local employment laws. Children of school age can attend school in Portugal, either in public or private institutions.
5. Considerations
- Legal Obligations: It’s important to ensure that all legal obligations, such as maintaining valid health insurance for each family member, are met throughout their stay in Portugal. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in the revocation of their residence permits.
Summary
Family members, including spouses, children, and dependent parents, can join you in Portugal while you are on a student visa through the family reunification process. This process requires you to apply at SEF, provide proof of relationship, financial means, accommodation, and health insurance. Once approved, family members will receive residence permits, allowing them to live, and, in some cases, work or study in Portugal.