In Portugal, high school corresponds to ensino secundário and includes the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. The residence visa for students enrolled in one of these grades is provided for in Article 62 of Law No. 23/2007, of July 4, which states that “a residence visa shall be granted to secondary school students (…) to attend (…) a secondary school student exchange program, provided that: a) They meet the general conditions set out in Article 52; b) They have health insurance, or equivalent, covering the intended duration of their stay; c) They meet the special conditions established in this Article.”

It is therefore clear that foreign students must meet several requirements to obtain this visa.

On the one hand, they must meet the general requirements applicable to all residence visa applications. First and foremost, applicants must not have been subject to any removal order and must not be in the subsequent period of entry or stay prohibition in national territory.

Likewise, they must not be prohibited from entering and residing in any EU Member State.

They must also have sufficient means of subsistence to support themselves while in Portugal. Regarding this requirement, it is important to note that the means may come from a grant, scholarship, or a statement of responsibility signed by the organization in charge of the student exchange program.

In addition, they must hold a valid travel document, such as a passport, as well as travel insurance and health insurance covering the entire period of their stay in Portugal.

They must not have been convicted of any crime that, under Portuguese law, is punishable by imprisonment for more than one year, even if the sentence has not been served or its execution has been suspended. They must also not constitute a danger or threat to public order, national security or defense, or public health.

Since most applicants for this type of visa are minors, if they are not accompanied by the person exercising parental responsibility while in Portugal, they must also have parental authorization or an equivalent document allowing them to travel to and remain in the country.

Having outlined the general conditions applicable to residence visa applications, it is important to mention the specific requirements set out by law for this particular visa.

Firstly, applicants must meet the minimum and maximum age limits established for this purpose. These were set by Ministerial Order No. 1079/2007 of the Ministries of Home Affairs and Education at 14 and 21 years of age, respectively.

Secondly, during their stay in Portugal, students must either be hosted by a family or have secured accommodation in suitable facilities, either within the educational institution or elsewhere.

Finally, foreign students must have been accepted by an educational institution in Portugal, and their admission must take place either within the framework of a student exchange program or within an educational project (a pedagogical guidance document that sets out the principles, values, goals, and strategies through which the school intends to fulfill its educational mission). This means that if students are not admitted through one of these two pathways, they will not be eligible for this visa.

Once they have obtained this visa and are in Portugal, these students may apply for a residence permit, which will allow them to live in the country. The validity of this residence permit cannot exceed one year, but it may be renewed for equal periods, provided that the conditions under which it was granted remain in place.

Lastly, it should be noted that this visa and residence permit may also be granted to students enrolled in courses corresponding to levels 4 or 5 of the National Qualifications Framework. Level 4 courses are vocational programs aimed at the initial training of young people, focusing on their entry into the labor market while allowing further studies. Level 5 courses, on the other hand, are designed to provide qualifications based on specialized technical training.