D3 Visa – Visa for highly qualified workers
The D3 Visa was created for bringing Highly Qualified workers to Portugal, either to work at a company as an employee or as a self-employed worker.
Requirements
What are the requirements to obtain this visa?
As with other residence visas, the general requirements are:
- Official Form, duly filled out and signed;
- Two passport photos;
- Valid travel insurance;
- Criminal record;
- Request for Portuguese criminal record;
- Proof of accommodation;
- Proof of means of subsistence;
- Simulation of flight itinerary;
- Personal statement;
As well as the specific requirements for this type of visa:
- Work contract, promissory work contract or service provision contract for a highly qualified profession. The minimum salary specified in the contract must be at least 3x the social support index. For reference, in 2024, the minimum salary is 1.550€ per month;
- Proof of professional qualifications, adequate for the field of work stipulated in the work contract or the promissory work contract (university degree – bachelors or higher – in the same area of work).
About the D3 Visa
The D3 visa is a national residence visa, which allows the bearer to enter Portugal and request the corresponding Residence Permit.
As with all national residence visas, it is valid for four months and allows two entries into Portugal.
This visa must be applied for in the Portuguese Consulate in the applicant’s country of legal residence, or in the country of the applicant’s origin, in certain cases. In the case of the D3 visa, the applicant may also skip the visa obtention and come directly to Portugal to request the highly qualified residence permit, however this process is very slow (currently around 18-24 months) and is not recommended.
The legal deadline for the Consulate to decide about the concession of the visa application is 60 business days. It should cost around 90€, although additional fees may apply in jurisdictions where the Portuguese Government has engaged a visa provider service (e.g., VFS or BLS).
Once the visa has been obtained, the bearer should enter Portugal and attend an appointment at the Foreigners and Borders Service (AIMA, formerly SEF), which normally occurs within the 4 month validity of the visa, in order to request the corresponding residence permit.
The first residence permit is valid for 2 years and renewable for three years at a time. The holder of this residence permit should aim to actually move to and reside in Portugal, and therefore the minimum stay limits reflect this: the bearer should not be absent from Portugal for more than 6 months consecutively or 8 months non-consecutively within the validity of the card. Longer absences may be permitted if previously justified to AIMA, and if the applicant can prove that the absence is due to a professional or business activities or activities of a cultural or social nature.
Advantages and Benefits
The residence permit allows the bearer access to the following advantages and benefits:
- Allows the bearer to work in Portugal, as a highly qualified self-employed worker/freelancer or as an employee for another entity;
- Access to healthcare;
- Access to education;
- Family reunification;
- Visa-free entry and circulation throughout Schengen area;
- Access to either the Permanent Residence Permit or Portuguese Nationality after 5 years.
How can we help you?
Contact us today to set up a free consultation with one of our immigration lawyers to find out if this visa is suitable for you.