Honorary Consulate of Portugal in Aleppo

An Honorary Consul may be a Portuguese or a non-Portuguese, who is not a diplomat and resides in the city and country where his Consulate is active. They are appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to protect and advocate for the rights and interests of the Portuguese State and its nationals, especially in a city with no official representation. Typically, Honorary Consulates lack the authority to carry out consular actions. However, in certain special and justified situations, they might be sanctioned to perform voter registration procedures, civil registration, notary deeds and issue travel documentation. The Honorary Consuls operate within the scope of their authority and in harmony with the Head of the Mission to which they are associated.

Visas handled directly by the post

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

This consular representation doesn't employ VFS services and thus manages all visa appeals directly. They deal with every step from application collection to decision-making in house, ensuring total control over the visa process. However, this 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 Syria:

• 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 Syria. Most visas first grant temporary residence, which can lead to permanent residence after five years. Requirements and processing times change: check them before applying.