D1 Visa – Visa for Employees
The D1 Visa is specifically designed for companies wishing to hire foreign nationals to work in Portugal or persons who have a written job offer in Portugal.
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 or promissory work contract;
- If applicable, a declaration by competent authorities certifying professional qualifications for the referred activity.
About the D1 Visa
The D1 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 D1 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 an employee. If this should change it is necessary to switch to an independent worker residence permit;
- 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.