Visas and other entry requirements

Entry Visas
Passport holders from The European Union, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland do not require a visa to enter Portugal. 

For visits not exceeding ninety days per six-month period, visas are not required for holders of valid passports issued by the following countries or dependencies: Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahama, Barbados, Bosnia Herzegovina, Brazil, British nationals (Overseas), British overseas territories citizens (BOTC), British overseas citizens (BOC), British protected persons (BPP), British subjects (BS), Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Dominica, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Israel, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Japan, Korean Republic, Liechtenstein, Macao Special Administrative Region, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Northern Mariana Islands (passports from the US), Panama, Paraguay, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Taiwan (only holder of passports which contain identity card number), Trinidad and Tobago, UK, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, USA, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vanuatu. 

If you live in an area that is not eligible for a VISA waiver/exemption or are unsure of whether or not you need to apply for a short-term visa to enter Portugal, please click here or contact the Portuguese Embassy in your home country. The Embassy will also be able to provide guidance on the application process and necessary documents.

As part of the application process, you may be required to submit a Letter of Invitation from the UFAW Conference Organising Committee.

Visa Information
Delegates are advised to check with the Portuguese Consulate/Embassy in their home country on the visa requirements at least two months before the intended date of travel. Please note that visa processing may take up to four weeks. We recommend that you apply as early as possible before the UFAW Conference.

The Conference organisers will not be held liable for any failed visa applications. To assist with the visa application process, we will provide presenters with a Conference Letter of Invitation. Please sent an email to events@ufaw.org.uk to request your visa invitation letter. The invitation letter will be sent to you by email once the payment for the registration fee has been received.

For visa requirements, please check the Visa Portugal website for up-to-date information or consult your local Portuguese Consulate/Embassy.

Letters of Invitation
A Letter of Invitation is an official document that confirms payment of registration fees and extends an official invitation to the paid registrant to attend and participate in the upcoming conference. In other words, it provides the holder with an official reason to visit Portugal. It may be required by your university for administrative purposes, and will likely form one of the documents required for visa application if you are from a country that does not have a visa exemption agreement with Portugal.

In order to qualify for a Letter of Invitation, you must meet the following criteria:

• Be registered as an author of an accepted abstract
• Have paid the conference registration fee

A letter of Invitation for visa application paperwork will only be sent to those who have met both criteria.

If your application for a Letter of Invitation is successful, your Letter of Invitation will be sent to you by email as a PDF attachment.

Please ensure you allow sufficient time for your application to be processed.

Letters of Guarantee
Please note that a Letter of Guarantee is different from a Letter of Invitation. Depending on your professional situation, background and nationality, you may be required to submit a Letter of Invitation and/or Letter of Guarantee. 

A Letter of Guarantee is a letter in which an individual or body agrees to be legally and financially responsible for you during your stay in Portugal. You may know an individual or institution in Portugal willing to act as a guarantor, or, if you have no connection with the country, Portuguese immigration authorities may find that it is acceptable to have your university act as the guarantor. UFAW will not provide Letters of Guarantee. 

Further Visa Assistance 
All questions/concerns regarding the status of your visa should be directed to the Portuguese immigration authorities or Portuguese Embassy in your home country. 

If your visa application is denied, please note that UFAW will not be able to change the decision of the Portuguese immigration authorities, nor will UFAW engage in discussion or correspondence with the Portuguese immigration authorities or the Portuguese Embassy on behalf of the applicant. 

UFAW is not authorised to assist with the visa process beyond providing a Letter of Invitation.