Work immigration is one of the main motivations for people to move to Portugal. This process involves finding a job and then moving to the country. In the past, Portugal faced the problem of illegal immigration of workers from CIS countries, who came to work without the necessary permits and documents. However, by 2021, this has changed, with skilled professionals arriving in the country, seeking legalization of their status and rejecting illegal immigration routes. They want to start a new life and career by adhering to all legal requirements, obtaining the necessary documents and a Portuguese work visa.
What is a work permit visa in Portugal?
D1, known as a ‘Portuguese work permit visa’, is a type of resident visa in Portugal, making it an important tool for those seeking to legally reside and work in the country. With a D1 visa, you can enter Portugal with the right to stay and subsequently apply for a residence permit on the basis of this visa at the local SEF immigration office.
It should be noted that the process of obtaining the document requires you to go to the Portuguese consulate or embassy in your country of residence. This means that it is not possible to obtain this visa within Portugal, and therefore it is important to familiarize yourself with the requirements in advance and provide the necessary documents for a successful application.
With a Portuguese D1 visa, you can join a foreign society, contribute to the country’s economy and have the opportunity to obtain a stable residence. This is an important step for those who are looking for long-term integration into society and career development.
Visa requirements
The visa requirements for obtaining a Portuguese work permit are as follows: a citizen of any country must have at his/her disposal a work contract (or a written promise thereof) from a company registered in Portugal. The main and key condition for obtaining the permit is your employment with a Portuguese company. Therefore, before you start collecting the necessary documents, it is important to find official employment in Portugal first.
It should be noted that the D1 work visa does not require proof of qualification as a professional, as is required for some other types of resident visas in this country. In case your profession is specifically regulated (e.g. doctors, lawyers and others), it will be necessary to prove that your qualifications meet Portuguese requirements. However, for positions such as office workers or account managers, this is not required. Not having to prove high qualifications is one of the main advantages of the Portuguese D1 visa.
Let’s assume that you have managed to find a job in Portugal and the company is willing to sign an official contract with you. Are there any additional documents required to obtain a Portuguese work permit?
Yes, they are required. Another important document to obtain a D1 visa is a declaration from the Portuguese Institute of Employment (IEFP). Whilst it is likely that your employing company will handle this, it is important to understand what this document is, as it is the declaration that can be identified as one of the main drawbacks and pitfalls in the authorization process.
Difficulties in applying for a visa with a work permit to Portugal
According to European legislation, specifically article 59 of Law No. 23/2007, a company inviting candidates for employment is obliged to publicize the vacancy not only in Portugal but also in other European countries. Priority for hiring employees within the continent is given to EU citizens. This means that companies will have to publish vacancies and, if no suitable candidates are found, request a special document from the IEFP Employment Centre to obtain a Portuguese work permit. This is a rather bureaucratic procedure that many companies are not ready to follow. However, it is important to remember that there are always alternative options. For example, you can request a D3 visa if you are a highly skilled professional. In this case, the company that employs you will not need a document from the Portuguese IEFP Employment Centre.
As far as proof of money for living expenses is concerned, this can be proved by the means specified in the contract as salary. The host company can issue a document called in Portugal “termo de responsabilidade”, which confirms their responsibility for your financial security (in the form of salary). This means that you do not need to provide a bank statement with a large amount of money in your account, as is required for some other types of resident visas in Portugal.
Visa requirements for a Portuguese work permit
Details of the procedure for obtaining a work permit visa in Portugal have been discussed above and are always available on the official SEF website. A variety of documents will need to be prepared and submitted to the consulate, the list of which depends on your specific situation. We recommend checking directly with the Portuguese consulate in your country of residence.
Visa requirements for a Portuguese work permit are as follows:
- Visa application form.
- Two 3×4 cm color photographs.
- Passport and a copy of it.
- Certificate of no criminal record with apostille.
- Authorisation to check criminal status (criminal record) in Portugal.
- Health insurance.
- Employment contract or a document confirming the intention to conclude an employment contract, as mentioned earlier.
- Declaration from the Portuguese Employment Centre IEFP, as mentioned earlier.
- Proof of certain qualifications in the case of regulated professions (e.g. doctors, lawyers) that require membership of professional organizations (colleges). In this case, proof of your membership of the relevant organizations and the right to perform the functions specified in the contract in Portuguese territory will also be required.
Visa application process
The process of obtaining a visa with work permit to Portugal for employees is quite simple and can be summarized as follows:
- Find a job and receive an offer from a Portuguese company (in the form of a signed contract or a written promise of a labor contract).
- Collect the necessary documents for a resident work visa for Portugal in your country of residence (some documents will be provided by the hiring company).
- Present the documents in person at the consulate of your country.
- It takes about 60 days to review the documents. If the decision is favorable, you will receive a Portuguese D1 visa.
- When you arrive in Portugal, you will be able to apply for a residence permit with the SEF. After 5 years you will be able to apply for citizenship. Usually your D1 visa will show the date of application to the SEF, or you can find out the date in your personal account on the portal. When applying for a residence permit in Portugal, you will need additional documents such as proof of residence address, tax number and national insurance number.
D1 visa — the best option for labor immigration
Obtaining a visa with a work permit in Portugal is the right and safe way to carry out labor immigration. There is nothing worse than being in a foreign country and working illegally, which can make your immigration risky and unstable. We strongly recommend that you only turn to legal immigration methods, and obtaining the Portuguese D1 visa category is exactly that. This is a great option if you plan to take up employment on an employee status after you move.
As you may have noticed, the most difficult part of obtaining a work visa is the process of finding employment in Portugal. However, if you have already found a job and your employer is willing to enter into a formal employment contract with you, then the process of obtaining a Portuguese work visa becomes much simpler.
FAQ
No, this option is not available. Having a confirmed employment contract (or its written promise) with a specific employer is a requirement for obtaining a D1 work visa.
No, in this case your only option is to apply to the Portuguese authorities to stay in the country on the basis that you have come here legally and started working (this process is called “Manifestação de Interesse SEF”). However, this method of immigration is not completely legal as you are working without the proper authorization. There are also some difficulties associated with it: those who choose this route often wait many years before they receive their first residence permit and cannot leave the country during this time. Therefore, we strongly recommend using only legal immigration methods. For example, if you are moving to Portugal as an employee, you can legally apply for a resident visa such as a D1.
A D1 is easy to obtain provided you already have a job in the country. In some situations, even a tourist can apply for a D1 visa. For example, if a tourist has been in Portugal for a long period of time and can prove that they have a valid employment contract, they will be eligible to apply for it.
However, keep in mind that this visa with a work permit in Portugal is not for those who want to get a job abroad. It is only possible for those who are settled in the country.
Absolutely, this type of resident visa and the corresponding Temporary Residence Permit obtained on its basis do not limit the possibility of taking another position in Portugal.
Yes, absolutely. You, like any other D resident visa holder in Portugal, will be able to take advantage of the right to family reunification. This means that your close relatives such as your spouse, minor children and others will also be able to immigrate, live, study and work in Portugal after you have obtained your first residence and exercised the right to family reunification.
