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@AlmiranteReis,

SEF in Portugal is responsible for analysing residence requests and issuing residence permits/visas.

Here is a link from one of the Universities in Lisbon with some useful procedures for non-EU students:

SO you are saying there is no way her application will be assessed in San Francisco ?

The papers  AND her passport will be transmitted to Lisbon ?

If that is the case  she cannot apply in SF as the passport will not return in time for her to fly ( mid July ).

So can she simply apply  via the email address for the SEF  office in Coimbra   ?

PS the advice in the LInk is completely impracticable for persons outside the EU.

It states that the Visa MUST be applied for at the local Consulate in the state where the intending student resides.

Well, she DID apply the minute online applications  for the  Curso para Estrangeiros  were opened ( some time in April ).

You CANNOT apply direct to the Consulate now.

You HAVE to apply to VFS, which does have an office in SF.

She did make immediate application in April to VFS and the earliest interview date that they could give her was June 16th.

She went to that and was sent away to bring more proofs of this and that  ( which she can do this week some time ).

But  even if VFS  this week accept that she has provided all necessary proofs, she cannot risk parting with her passport : it just is not going to come back from Lisbon in time for her to get on her plane in mid July.

So can she, in fact, apply  to the SEF office in Coimbra ?

What  Form would she have to fill in for starters ?

And what is the exact name, legal reference, etc.  of the Student Visa  that she is applying for ?

If you answer is ' No she cannot under any circumstances apply to the SEF offices in Portugal ' then what happens  if  she   overstays the 90 days  thing,  then  leaves the country  without having obtained the student Visa but in fact having studied, obtained the Diploma etc., and being able to show evidence that she did spend her time studying on  the Curso para Estrangeiros  ?

The application is made at the Portuguese consulate, the previous analysis is made at the consulate, together with SEF information support system. The final evaluation of the application will be done at SEF.

I think that the passport stays at the embassy / consulate, and is returned to her by mail/FedEx, after previous approval, so that she can come to Portugal for the interview with SEF.

Doubts are clarified at the consulate, not here...

The Consulate have already insisted that applications are NOT made to the Consulate,  only to VFS.

Do you happen to know the exact Legal  reference    for the Student Visa ?

For full time study at a recognized insitute of Higher Education, for one, full, academic year ?

Lei / Regulamento  /  Alínea  whatever and so on ?

I would like to send an initial email to the SEF in Coimbra but think it would assist if one could be very specific as to the Visto one is seeking to obtain.

There are consulates that use VFS outsourcing, such as the one in San Francisco.

Coimbra University - Visa request

ARTICLE 91 – RESIDENCE PERMIT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS