Portugal's Honorary Consulate in Santa Cruz de la Sierra

An Honorary Consul, who might or might not be of Portuguese nationality and is not a diplomat, resides in the country and locale where their Consulate is situated. They are appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to uphold and safeguard the rights and interests of the Portuguese State and its citizens, especially where there is no official representation. Honorary Consulates seldom have the authority to conduct consular acts, but under particular exceptional and justified situations, they may be granted permission to manage voter registration procedures, civil registrations, notary deeds, and issue travel documents. Their duties are performed under the direction of their corresponding Mission Head.

Visas handled directly by the post

Visa applications are handled by: Portugal's Embassy Consular Section in Lima

This consular representation handles all visa applications directly without employing VFS services. It manages the entire process, from application collection to decision-making, in-house. While this ensures total control over the visa process, it may lead to prolonged processing times due to increased workload.

• Portuguese Tax Number (NIF): a unique tax identification number required for financial transactions in Portugal. You can obtain it at any tax office or through a fiscal representative.

• Portuguese Bank Account: major banks include Millennium BCP, Novo Banco and Santander. We can help you get a bank account in Portugal.

The main visa types available from Bolivia:

• D1 Work VisaFor those with a work contract with a Portuguese company. Initially valid for 4 months, convertible into a 2-year residence permit.
• D2 Entrepreneur VisaTo start a business or transfer an existing one to Portugal, with a viable business plan and sufficient means.
• D3 Highly Qualified Worker VisaFor professionals with specialized skills and a job offer meeting minimum salary requirements.
• D4 Study VisaFor students accepted into Portuguese institutions. Allows studying and working part-time.
• D5 Research VisaFor researchers hosted by a recognized Portuguese institution.
• D6 Family Reunification VisaTo join relatives already legally residing in Portugal.
• D7 Passive Income VisaPopular among retirees: stable passive income from investments, pensions or rental properties.
• D8 Digital Nomad VisaFor remote workers earning a stable income from non-Portuguese sources.
• D9 Golden VisaAn investment-based residence permit, with a minimum investment from €250,000 depending on the type.

The application usually goes through the Portuguese consulate of your home country if you are not from Bolivia. Most visas first grant temporary residence, which can lead to permanent residence after five years. Requirements and processing times change: check them before applying.