How to obtain Portuguese Student Visa

Today, I will be writing about the list of documents I sent as the visa application and how to obtain them along with the costs.

Portugal Resident Visa - price in USD

Passport Photos     $0.69

Tips: I used Adobe Illustrator to adjust the photos in the required sizes as that is the software I am most used to using. After sizing the headshot in 35mm x 45mm and laying out multiple copies on a 4x6" sheet of paper, I sent the file to Walmart's 1-hour photo service to print out the photos. Cut out the photos into 35x45 mm and you're good to go!

Alternative: You can use pharmacy photo services such as CVS or Walgreens to automatically adjust the size of photos to the required passport size. I did not use this service because it was easy enough for me to adjust it myself. These services at pharmacies would cost around $15.

You might want to have a few copies if you're applying for a residency permit in Portugal. It will require the same size photos as a part of the application. Besides, it's always good to have a copy of your headshots in case you need them during your stay in Europe.

*below 3 items are for the FBI background check a.k.a. Identity History Summary Checks*

National Background Check Inc. (FBI certified channeler)  $65.00

With the basic fee of $55 for a first-class mail copy + an online copy of $10. You will only need a mailed copy; don't open the envelope unless you want to go through the trouble of getting an apostille. The online copy was for my own reference.

Ink Fingerprint Service $40.00

I requested 2 sets of copies on the form FD-258 at a local notary office (One cost $25; 2 for $40.)  It is recommended to send 2 sets of fingerprints in case the first one fails. The FBI can check another one for no additional cost. Depending on which FBI background check channeler you use, you can use a live scan (electronic fingerprints) and have them print a paper copy.

USPS priority mail $7.95

Priority mail is probably the cheapest way to send, with insurance up to $100 and tracking. Takes about 1-3 days to arrive. Use the USPS' free standard envelope to avoid the fingerprint cards being folded.

Alternative for the FBI background check: Request on the FBI website well in advance (currently 3-4 weeks to get the mail result; $18.) Go to a post office location to do an electronic fingerprint scan and have them send the prints directly to the FBI($50.) Total is $68, this is probably the easiest and the most cost-efficient way. If you are in a time crunch like I was, use a channeler to cut the waiting time.

VFS Visa Processing Fee $45.21+$0.89 Money Order Fee

Consulate General of Portugal Fee $106.64+$1.30 Money Order Fee

These two are to be sent to VFS with the other forms as a part of the application package. 

Tip: The money order fee is different depending on where you get the money order from. I got mine at Vons where they issue Western Union money orders. Places like Walmart will issue Moneygram money orders. USPS issues money orders at a higher fee of $1.30. However, I was told I sent an incorrect fee to the Consulate General regardless of double-checking with VFS beforehand (they tend to misinform people.) So in my case, I need to pay $15 to get a refund from Western Union on my incorrect money order or go to a check-cashing store and pay the fee. You might want to use USPS as their cancellation fee is much lower, which is $6.95.

VFS Shipping fee via FedEx $70.00 (round-trip; $35 one way)

A set of pre-paid shipping labels you will be issued by VFS to mail in your application. I asked VSF if I could use USPS priority mail but supposedly that's not allowed. But honestly, you could mail in using USPS priority mail which would cost only about $8, and add a signature service. You could even choose to bring in the documents in person for a counter-check if you live nearby. I ended up using the specified service which even failed to deliver my passport to my home, so I recommend using a service you trust.

Shipping Cost for Passport: $5

You will be asked to mail in your passport after they approve your visa. This depends on what service you use but I used certified mail which comes with tracking. I personally think this is enough since USPS is known to be reliable. 

Miscellaneous

Printing fee: $15.51

Tips: Definitely better to have your own printer at home since you will be printing a lot of paper. It will save time going to FedEx to print each time. Time to replace those empty cartridges.

Shipping Envelope: $1.36

Tips: You don't really need this since the shipping services have their own standard envelopes for free.

Total Spent for Visa: $359.56

Applying for Visa for Study Abroad

Prior to applying for the Erasmus Mundus program, I actually had plenty of experience applying for visas. In fact, I left my country when I was 18; that means I was processing my first visa when I was 17. It is usually not a complicated process, but you do need to allow enough time to get everything done in time. As a general rule of thumb, it is important to start the visa process 6 months prior to your intended departure. This allows you enough time to collect all the documents needed for the application. Unfortunately, for this time, I only had about 3 months since the program notified me until the program started, so I had to get everything done in a rush.

The first thing to do upon applying for the visa in Erasmus Mundus is to make sure with the program coordinator what exact type of visa you are to obtain for your program. In the case of my program (ARCHMAT,) I will be studying for 2 years in Europe, so I was required to obtain a residency visa. This visa will be valid for 4 months and allows you to apply for a residency card in Portugal, with which essentially you can stay in Europe after the visa expires after 4 months. Those who did not make sure and got a temporary visa by mistake had to struggle a lot later in the program because when their visa expired, they were no longer legal to stay in Europe.

My passport is Japanese; I thought about returning to Japan temporarily to apply for a Portuguese visa, but I found out that permanent residents of the US can apply for visas in the United States. I ended up staying in California and applied through the consulate in San Francisco. The pandemic actually worked in my favor because I did not need to go to an in-person interview for the visa to San Francisco; instead, I was able to submit all the documents including my passport by mail. Once the visa was approved, the documents and the passport were simply returned to me, again by mail. I would have not minded the drive to San Francisco, but it did save me a massive amount of time.

I had to apply through a private visa application company called VFS, not directly with a consulate, because the consulate has outsourced the job to VFS. This VFS is quite unreliable, to say the least. In the first place, there is little information online about Portuguese student visas on their website. Then I called to ask questions, but VFS itself doesn’t have a lot of information, so I would get different answers every time I called depending on who would pick up the call.

I was a little iffy if this was going to be alright, but in the end, I was able to get a visa about three weeks after applying! Even so, the total of $360 is quite a lot for a typical student visa, compared to another country.

All applications are based on the US consulate, so if you are applying in another country, I think the procedures will be different but hope this information helps someone out there.

In the next post, I will be writing about the list of documents I sent as the visa application and how to obtain them along with the costs.

Erasmus Mundus Master's Application Guide

As for the application for Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programs, almost all the programs had similar requirements, although there were some small differences. Deadlines are usually in January. Today, I would like to write about how I obtained each document. Keep in mind that I lived in the United States at the time of application, and the documents to submit can be slightly different depending on the country.

1. Application Form

This form is usually downloaded from each program website and differed depending on the program, but it was mainly about my personal information, educational background, activities outside of school, volunteer history, etc. It is pretty much like a resume. Fill in the forms after downloading the form from their respective websites and submit them online with other documents.

2. Motivation Letter

Write your reason for the application and how it is tied to your background. It is not good to write a lot of pages, and generally, it is limited to a couple of pages. If there is no limit on the number of characters, summarize it in one or two pages in an easy-to-read manner. In addition, grammatical and spelling errors are a big no-no, and it is important to create a mistake-free document. I've always been a writer and I was pretty confident in my work, but even then, I used the university's Writing Center to have a professional review of my essay for graduate school applications to see if there were any errors. This type of service not only detects grammar errors but also gives advice on how you can better the content itself. I think it's important to have a third person read it, in the sense that even if someone who doesn't know you reads it, it will be clear to understand. I would like to write an article on how to write a motivation letter for graduate school in another post if anyone is interested.

3. English Proficiency document

I completed my bachelor’s in the United States, and this qualifies to prove that I had attended an English institution for more than the required number of years. All I had to do was to submit a copy of my university diploma. If you have no experience studying abroad, you will probably have to submit results from TOEIC or IELTS. It seems that some programs accept Tests in Practical English Proficiency (Eiken,) if you have taken this exam in Japan.

4. College Diploma and Transcript 

From my university, I ordered a transcript, then scanned it into an electronic copy. At the time of submission of the application, I did not have my college diploma because I still haven’t had graduated at that point. Later when I got accepted into the program, I was requested to submit the diploma and the complete transcript. If these documents are not in English, it seems that it is necessary to have it officially translated. At the time of my application, I was still in college, so I was asked to submit a certificate of enrollment as well. I also had a classmate sending their high school diploma and transcript, but at the end of the day, it did not seem necessary.

5. Resume/Curriculum Vitae 

One of the programs mandated to use of a website called Europass to create a CV. Even though I already had my own resume that I was using for previous job applications, I decided to use the same Europass format for other programs as well. You can create your resume for free on this website. Although there were various bugs on the site when I was creating it, it is a website you can easily create a resume just by filling in the forms. I would probably still recommend using this website if you don’t already have a CV.

6. Professional Experience/Certificates

I obtained a certificate in English from the internship company I was working for during my university days and submitted it as a scanned copy. In these programs, work experience can weigh as much as academic records do, so proving work experience is crucial as a part of the application.

7. Letter of Recommendation

Almost every program required two letters of recommendation. As the name suggests, this is a letter that recommends you, and your recommenders are asked to write 2-3 pages explaining why you should be recommended. It could be written by either a professor or a working professional (university worker or your employer), but if I had one piece of advice, it would probably be best to ask a university professor to write it. Professors are always in contact with academic subjects, and it is a prerequisite that they have solid writing skills. The writing skills of the people I worked for were not always the best, even though they were native English speakers. As a note, in the case of graduate schools in the United States, it is normal for three recommendations to be required, so I had the impression that the hurdle for this requirement was a little lower in Erasmus Mundus applications.

8. Copy of Passport

If you do not have your passport at this point, all I can advise is to get it as soon as possible because getting this type of document almost always takes a long time. 

9. Proof of Residency

I submitted my ID card (California driver's license) with my address written on it, and it seemed to have been fine. These documents will vary depending on the country.

10. Others

Depending on the program, sometimes other documents are required, such as the graduation thesis from the bachelor, a photograph of your headshot, the declaration (signing a paper that all the documents to be submitted are genuine), etc. Please refer to each program website on the list of documents you need to submit.

In summary, you will be submitting identification, proof of educational background, and proof of occupation, with an explanation of what your interests are based on your experience so far, what you want to do in the future, and why you want to participate in the program, all in one package. 

I lived in the United States and did both university and internships in the United States, so naturally, all the documents I submitted were already in English. That eliminated the need for official translation. I also got to skip the language tests because I had already been studying in English institutions for more than the required years and was considered fluent in English. In that sense, I would say that these applications were much easier for me compared to those who were applying from non-English speaking countries.

If you have any questions regarding the application, feel free to ask in the comments!

How I got to know Erasmus Mundus

As I wrote in the previous post, I got the full-ride opportunity to attend graduate school in 3 European universities, thanks to a program called Erasmus Mundus, sponsored by the European Union.

I first learned about Erasmus Mundus from an old friend of mine who had already been in one of the programs. We were roommates for about a year, over a decade ago. We remained best friends and kept in touch even after she moved out of the country after that year. 

One day, she told me that she was going to graduate school in Spain through a program called Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Degree. I read about it and found out that Erasmus Mundus is a wonderful program that is known for having a unique interdisciplinary structure. With the wide variety of majors available, it is easy to find a program that suits your profession or area of study. Erasmus Mundus allows you to travel to European countries while you are in graduate school, with the system that you will live in a different country each semester. It is a well-recognized program with a history regardless of how little-known it is in the US.

When I heard about the program, I had known that I wanted to live and travel in Europe for a year or two to see architecture. Of course, I became interested in the program. I graduated with my bachelor's in 2021, right in the middle of the pandemic. At the time, it seemed to be a good time to go to graduate school with the raising unemployment rate and the overall social instability where I lived. I had already set a goal that I would get to Europe before the age of 30, so I was going to stick to my plan!

I was not afraid of leaving my country regardless of having a place to live, a car, friends, and a job. I was ready for this opportunity. My question was how my old roommate was able to afford the program. It must be quite expensive to go to Europe as an international student. I naturally wondered how she was managing all that alone, so I asked. She told me she was able to receive a full-ride scholarship from the organization, which covers her tuition, travel, and living expenses. It was eye-opening because I had thought studying abroad in Europe was something only possible for those who had enough funds, even with a scholarship. It had never crossed my mind that there would be an opportunity to study there, practically, for free.

This is truly a great opportunity. Their scholarship is merit-based, so everyone has the opportunity to apply. It seems that the program is quite famous in developing countries and in/around Europe, rather than in the US or Japan where they have their own comparable programs.

One can apply for up to 3 programs per year in Erasmus Mundus, so I applied for 3 programs: ARCHMAT, SMACCs, and BIM A+. The architectural conservation program that I also wanted to apply for (TEMA+) was not available for application this year due to the pandemic. I chose a program that was as close as possible to what I wanted to do. Any of the programs would have been fine since they were all related to architecture, but my first choice was ARCHMAT due to my interest in the historic conservation of buildings. In the end, I was accepted into all three programs and ultimately chose to do ARCHMAT.

Enough about my history? In the next post, I would like to write about the application procedure in hopes to help those who need guidance in the process.

I got accepted to Erasmus Mundus!

What can I say?

To my own surprise, I got accepted into a graduate school program in Europe! 

The program is called ARCHMAT, and it is a part of Erasmus Mundus. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Degree are prestigious mobility programs sponsored by the European Union. For each program, there are multiple participating universities in and outside the European Union. A program normally lasts for 2 years as a normal master's degree should, but it also depends on the program. It is a system where it allows you to study in a different university in a different country every semester. 

You can apply for up to three programs listed in the Erasmus Mundus catalog per year. If you apply within the specified period, you will automatically be considered for their scholarship. If you get the scholarship, not only tuition but also living expenses and travel costs will be covered. Basically, you can go to graduate school and travel in Europe for 2 years, at little to no cost... What more can we ask for? It's quite an amazing opportunity! 

I thought the odds were high. Erasmus Mundus programs are known to be competitive. I must admit I was a little intimidated at the beginning. At the same time, I went for my usual optimism—I had nothing to lose by applying for this program. It never hurts to give it a try, does it? Luckily, the application process went smoothly, and I received notices of acceptance in April. I had decided in advance that I would not go if I had to pay for the program out of pocket. Depending on the country, the program can be on the expensive side for a European graduate school. On top of that, I was not sure what it was like to study abroad during a pandemic. In the end, I was accepted for a scholarship. At this point, nothing was stopping me from going to Europe!

I got accepted into an archaeological materials science program called ARCHMAT. I chose this program because I studied architecture for my bachelor's and wanted to be involved in building conservation. This program is held in Portugal, Greece, and Italy. 

When I was about 20 years old, I envisioned myself staying in Europe for about two years, whether to study or work and traveling to see architecture by the age of 30. In my opinion, a couple of weeks of vacation must not be enough to absorb all the goodness in Europe. I was thinking about going on a work-holiday program after finishing my bachelor's, but then, one of my friends who had already been in one of these programs told me about how awesome her journey had been. I thought the structure of these programs, which involves moving to various countries, was just right for me, so I applied for them in the end.

The problem was that moving to Europe for two years could have cost me my permanent residency in the United States. There are so many problems with this that I would have to make a separate post about this topic. In the end, I applied for a Reentry Permit, and I am now waiting for it to be approved and issued. At this point, I truly regret not applying for American citizenship. However, since Japan does not recognize dual citizenship, there is not much I can do about it...

I consider myself so lucky that I had the privilege to be educated at an American university, and now I am able to go to graduate school in Europe! Who would have imagined? The thing is, at the end of the day, it is up to you to make use of the opportunities that your luck brings to your life. You could make it or simply break it.

Looking forward to Europe.