Portugal D3 Visa

If you are a highly qualified expert in your field seeking to obtain residency in Portugal based on your skills and qualifications, the Portuguese D3 Visa could be an excellent option to consider because there is a special treatment under the immigration legislation, as well as the potential access to a more beneficial tax regime for 10 years.

According to Portuguese Law on Foreigners, highly qualified work implies “the exercise of an activity that requires specialised technical skills of an exceptional nature or an adequate qualification for the respective exercise of the function”. 

Third-country citizens with higher education or higher professional technical qualifications, with a work contract or a promise of work contract of at least 12 months stating the position and the qualified specialty, are eligible to apply for a D3 visa.

The European Commission considers a highly qualified activity as being exercised by professionals falling mainly into two groups: management positions and experts in intellectual and scientific activities, as in:

• Position as a professor in any Portuguese education institution.
• Highly qualified activity with a work contract or self-employed contract.
• Management and leadership positions with a work contract or promise of work contract by a Portuguese company.
• Cultural activity with a work contract or a self-employed contract of relevance to the country and recognized by the Government member responsible for national culture.
• IT professionals with a Tech Visa issued by a Portuguese company certified by IAPMEI - Portuguese Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation.
  

In order for the D3 Visa to be successfully granted, the applicant must have an employment contract, or a promise of an employment contract, and must also meet the following specific requirements:

Under Portuguese law, the visa is processed within 60 days, expiring 120 days after its approval. An appointment will be automatically scheduled for the residence permit application, therefore upon the arrival to Portugal, the applicant should set up an interview at AIMA – The Agency for Integration, Migrations and Asylum.

The residence permit will be valid for 2 years, renewable for another 3 years and family members can join the applicant in Portugal, through the Family Reunification process foreseen in the law. After legally residing in the country for 5 years, the applicant may apply for both Portuguese citizenship and Portuguese passport.

The applicant can also apply for a high qualified Direct Residence Permit, without a visa requirement, if all the legal requirements are gathered, with proof of legal entrance and stay in the country.

• Free entry and circulation within the Schengen Area, comprised of 26 European countries, without a Visa.
• The opportunity to apply for the EU Blue Card, if meeting all requirements.
• The possibility of family reunification in Portugal: the family (including spouse, children, parents, or siblings dependent on either spouse) of the holder of a Portuguese residence permit can also live in the country.
• The option to apply for Portugal’s Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime, which is open to anyone who has the right to reside in Portugal (an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen or a holder of a residence permit) and has not been a tax resident of the country in the previous 5 years.
• Qualification for permanent residence or citizenship in Portugal: after 5 years of being a legal permanent resident, you may be eligible for permanent citizenship in the country, as part of Portugal residency program. Please note that citizenship is subject to a basic Portuguese language test.
• Portuguese residency rights, including education and health care: as a Portuguese resident you and your family will have access to the Public Healthcare System and your children to the Public Education System.

With the D3 Visa, you can apply for and receive the Portuguese Residence Permit, which will allow you to live and work in Portugal. This permit can be renewed every 2 years if the applicant proves the continuity of their professional activities. After 5 years of legally authorized residence, you can request Portuguese nationality.

As a rule, the applicant will be required to have the following documents when applying for a D3 Visa:

• Certified copy of proof of the applicant's academic and professional qualifications, accompanied by a curriculum vitae
• A passport that is valid for at least 6 months after the expiry date of the Visa you are applying for (which will expire after 4 months).
• Two recent passport-size colour photos.
• A declaration outlining the reasons for the Portugal residency.
• A Health Insurance Plan valid in Portugal or else an affidavit stating that one will be bought in Portugal within 90 days of arrival.
• A criminal record certificate or Police clearance letter (FBI report in the case of US residents) issued no more than 90 days before the date of submission to the Consulate.
• Documentary evidence of having accommodation in Portugal (property title deed or tenancy agreement).
• Documentary evidence of having sufficient funds available to the applicant’s subsistence in Portugal (e.g., a local bank statement).
• Copy of a work contract or promise of work contract for at least 12 months