Visa and Residence

​

Obtaining a visa can be a very bureaucratic task. An organized, well-founded, and legally grounded request will have a better chance of achieving positive results. 

 

We provide legal advice on all issues related to obtaining, applying, and renewing visas and residence permits in Portugal. We can provide advice on all types of residence permits, including Golden Visa, family regrouping and permanent residence. We also offer support when applying for the Schengen and Residence Visa, which must be initiated in the applicants' country of origin. 

 

Before traveling or deciding to reside in another country, check which type of visa you need to obtain.

 

The Visa must be requested for the specific purpose for which it is intended, in the country of origin (of residence or nationality), at a consular representation of the country of destination. Therefore, if there is an intention to reside in Portugal, the applicant must request a Residence visa.

 

Some countries are exempt from the “tourist visa” for a period of 90 days. Consult the list of countries exempt from tourist visas. However, if you intend to reside in the country, you should check the procedure that applies to your specific case before traveling to Portugal.

 

            How do I discover which visa is more adequate to my case?

 

First, identify the reason for your travel.

•  Work

•  Study and research

•  Professional training, internship, or volunteering

•  Family regrouping

•  Establishing residence

 

After the extent of the stay:

• Tourism (staying less than 90 days)

• Temporary Stay (staying less than 1 year)

• Residence (staying less than 1 year)

 

The following visas are currently in force, according to the guidelines of the competent Portuguese entities:

 

1.  Tourist visa

​

Intended for tourism, where the person can move withing the Schengen area for up to 90 days.

 

2.  Long-term Visa

​

Intended for stays that extend beyond 90 days.

 

2.1 Residence Visa

​

Intended for those interested in residing in Portugal. Proof of stay must be longer than 1 year, in general.

 

Allows stays for periods of 4 months with 2 entries, with a view to establishing residence. The main objective will be to enable the applicant to begin the residency process, which is to be completed in Portugal. Only after the interested party enters Portuguese territory will it be possible to initiate the application for a residence permit.

 

2.1.1 Types of residency visas:

 

D1 - Residency visa for subordinate work purposes. Intended for those who have a promissory employment contract or an employment contract in force, if previously authorized by the competent authorities in Portugal.

 

D2 - Residency visa for independent work purposes or entrepreneurs as can be seen, there are 2 types of D2 visas: the first is to exercise an independent professional activity (a freelance professional or liberal professional, with an activity registered with the Portugal tax authorities and dully certified for professional exercise); and the second is meant for entrepreneurs (investors).

 

D3 - Residency visa for Research or Highly Qualified Activity. Intended for PhD students or those who work in a highly qualified profession.

 

D4 - Residency Visa for Study, Student Exchange, Professional Internship or Volunteering. Intended for higher education students (undergraduate, masters) internships or volunteer work with a duration of over one year.

 

D5 - Residency Visa for study and mobility in higher education (college study visa). Intended for exchange students, double degree program students, among others.

 

D6 - Residency Visa for Family Regrouping Purposes. As Brazilian citizens are exempt from a tourist visa, the family member of a resident may apply for the authorization directly in Portugal. This type of visa is more frequent for nationalities that are impaired from entering the national territory without any visa.

 

D7 - Residency Visa for those who are Retired, Religious or Persons with Own Income Intended for retirees, pensioners or people who can prove sufficient income to support the household (own income).

 

2.2 Temporary Stay Visas

​

These visas allow entry into Portugal for stays of less than 1 year.

The visa is valid for the duration of the stay and for multiple entries into national territory.

 

2.2.1 Types of Temporary Stay Visas

 

E1 - Temporary Stay Visa for Medical Treatment, in dully accredited establishments.

 

E2 - Temporary Stay Visa for the Transfer of National Citizens from States that comprise the WTO, to provide services or professional training.

 

E3 - Temporary Stay Visa for Temporary Subordinate or Independent Professional Activity, for those who come to Portugal temporarily, meaning a stay under 6 months.

 

E4 - Temporary Stay Visa for Research or Highly Qualified Activity, remarkably like the D3 visa, but for a period of less than 1 year.

 

E5 - Temporary Stay Visa for the Exercise of Amateur Sports Activity.

 

E6 - Temporary Stay Visa to Fulfill International Commitments and Study.

 

E7 - Temporary Stay Visa to Accompany a Family Member in Medical Treatment.

 

E8 - Temporary Stay Visa for Seasonal Worker.

 

Source: https://www.portaldascomunidades.mne.pt/pt/

​