According to provisional data on Portugal's visa policy for 2017, the country "continues to be widely sought out by multiple nationalities, whether for tourism or business travel or for academic activities or studying," a ministry spokesman told Lusa.

He added that the number of visas issued by the Portuguese consular network grew by 24% over 2016, "exceeding the 250,000 mark."

Angolan nationals received the most visas, benefiting close to 80,000 people, "the vast majority in the form of short stay visas (up to 90 days)," said the Portuguese Foreign Ministry.

Between 2016 and 2017, the number of visas issued in Angola increased by 36% and the Portuguese Consulate General in Luanda - Portugal also has a consulate in Benguela - "was the largest issuing centre in the entire external network," accounting for "a total of 30 % of all granted visas."

In addition to the Consulate General, in Luanda, a Visa Centre has been in operation since July 2016, and is managed by a private company with about 40 workers, which deals specifically with visa applications.

In 2016, the Portuguese consular network issued a total of 202,439 visas, according to the latest Emigration Report, consulted by Lusa.