Portugal Work Visas for Indians

Work Visa for Skilled Workers

This type of visa is for individuals qualified in IT, Science, Medicine, and Engineering who hold a job offer in an adequate profession. If you work in a high-ranking or administrative position, this type of visa might also suit you.

A Work Visa for Skilled Workers is usually granted for 1 year, but it can be renewed for up to five years. If you continue working in Portugal and wish to stay, you will be required to apply for a Permanent Residence Permit after five years.

Work Visa for Self-Employment

You can apply for a Self-Employment Visa if you work independently or as a freelancer with your own business or service. This is also known as a Temporary Visa or a Digital Nomad Visa. It allows you to work independently (self-employed) in Portugal for up to a year. With this visa, you can only work for a company if you obtain a Residence Permit.

If you are an Indian citizen with your own business or service, you can obtain a Work Visa for Self-Employment by first applying for a Temporary-Stay Visa as long as you meet the eligibility criteria. You can extend a Temporary-Stay Visa each year up to a maximum of five years.

Work Visa for Highly-Skilled Workers

A Work Visa for Highly-Skilled Workers is for workers with exceptionally high qualifications. You can apply for this type of visa if you are going to work on scientific research, in education teaching, show business or do any professional activity that requires you to hold high qualifications.

With a visa for Highly-Skilled Workers, you can get a Residence Permit for the initial period of one year, which can be extended.

Work Visa for Cultural Activities

You may be eligible for this type of Portuguese visa if your work activities in Portugal revolve around culture. You might be eligible to apply for a Visa for Cultural Activities if you will be involved in a project approved by Portuguese cultural authorities or the Portuguese government.

If you are planning to come to Portugal to work on a cultural project or event, you will need to apply for a Temporary/Short/Long-Stay Visa, depending on the length of your stay.

Work Visa for Teaching

A Work Visa for Teaching is for anyone who has been offered a teaching job either at a research centre, or an educational/vocational institution in Portugal.

To apply for a visa for Teaching in Portugal, you must apply for a Residence Permit for Highly Qualified Activity; this is also known as the EU Blue Card. The EU Blue Card is a type of Residence Permit for non-EU/EEA nationals with teaching qualifications, as well as other highly skilled employees.

Tech Visa

Tech Visas are granted to immigrants recruited by companies that are engaging in technology and innovation. You may be eligible for a Tech Visa for Portugal if you are a highly qualified and specialised professional who has been offered a role in a certified tech company which meets adequate criteria.

The tech company you work for in Portugal must be certified by IAPMEI (Portuguese Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation). This visa is initially valid for two years and can be extended for three more years.

Job Seeker Visa

The Portuguese Job Seeker Visa is for foreign nationals, including Indian citizens, who wish to travel to Portugal and search for work.

You can apply for the Job Seeker Visa if you have higher education qualifications, such as a Bachelor’s degree and fulfil other basic visa requirements, such as holding health insurance, having sufficient funds, etc.

With the Portugal Job Seeker Visa, you have initially three months to find a job. The visa itself is valid for 120 days and can be extended for another 60 days.

If you find a job before the visa expires and you fulfil the adequate eligibility criteria, you may be able to apply for a Residence Permit in Portugal. If you do not find a job before the visa expires and you have not started the Residence Permit application process you must leave Portugal.

Overview

To apply for a Portugal Work Visa from India, you must fulfil various requirements. Before you start your visa application process, you must make sure that you are eligible for the type of visa you wish to apply for.

If you’re unsure about which type of work visa would be most suitable for you, call Total Law to help you determine the most adequate type of visa according to your case. Contact our immigration advisers by calling +44 (0)333 305 9375 or reach out to us online.

One of the key eligibility criteria for most work visas to Portugal is that you must hold a job offer or contract from an employer in Portugal. The contract must state where you will work and what your role is.

Additionally, after offering you a job, the employer is required to apply for Work Permit on your behalf. Your employer should inform you what documents they will need from you for the Work Permit application.

Supporting Documents for a Portugal Work Visa Application

You can start the visa application process once you have obtained a Work Permit. To apply, you will be required to provide the following:

• A valid passport with a minimum 2 blank pages
• Two passport photographs in colour
• Proof of health insurance
• Criminal background check from India – This is also known as the Police Clearance Certificate and is generally issued by your local Police. In India, the Regional Passport Office issues Police Clearance Certificates, which are considered faster and easier to obtain.
• Evidence demonstrating that you will have accommodation while staying in Portugal, such as a hotel reservation or address of where you will reside during your stay
• Proof of funds to show that you will have enough money to support yourself during your stay in Portugal
• Invitation letter from the employer demonstrating the purpose of the trip
• Biometrics (fingerprints and photos)

Determining what documents you need to apply for a work visa or a work permit can be complicated and time-consuming. If you are still unsure what supporting documents you’re required to provide for your visa application; Total Law can help.

Call +44 (0)333 305 9375 or contact one of our advisers online for reliable advice based on your case.

Work Permit Application

Your employer in Portugal must apply for a Work Permit on your behalf after you accept their work offer. The application should be submitted to the Portuguese Labour Authorities or the SEF (Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service). The employer will be required to submit the following documents:

• Contract of employment between you and the employer
• Company tax statements
• Proof of registration with Social Security
• Evidence that an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen could not fill the position

There might be additional documents required. Your employer should inform you what documents they need to complete the application.

Portugal Work Visa Application: How to Apply from India?

After you receive your Work Permit, you can begin the visa application process. To apply, you will need to contact your nearest Portuguese Embassy or Consulate in India to schedule an appointment and submit the visa application. The Embassy of Portugal is located in New Delhi, while the consulate is in Goa. There are also visa application centres called External Service Providers VFS in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Jalandhar, Mumbai and Kolkata.

You should schedule and attend an appointment at the Portuguese Embassy or Consulate, where you will submit your application and get interviewed by an Immigration Officer. The Embassy or Consulate you contact will provide you with information on how you can apply. You might be able to do it via the E-VISA service provided by the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Before you start the application process, make sure that you gather all the necessary supporting documents. You can then complete your visa application and submit the documents for the Portuguese authorities to process.

Residence Permit Application

The last stage of the Portugal Work Visa application process is the Residence Permit application. Once your visa application is approved, you can enter Portugal for 1-2 years. When you’re in Portugal you can register for social security and get a tax number at the Portuguese Social Security Office.

To stay in Portugal and legally use social services, you will need to book an appointment to apply for a Residence Permit at the SEF. When you apply for your visa at the Embassy, they usually book the SEF appointment for you. At your interview, you will provide your biometrics and attend an interview before you receive your Residency Permit.

Overview

Yes. One of the key benefits of a Work Visa in Portugal is the chance of obtaining Portuguese Citizenship. For Indian nationals who come to work in Portugal and wish to settle, Work Visas can make it significantly easier to apply for citizenship.

You can apply for Portuguese Citizenship after you have lived in Portugal for at least 5 years as a legal resident. You have to meet eligibility requirements, such as:

• Proof of a minimum of 5 years residency in Portugal – Portuguese Residence Permit
• A clean criminal record
• Proficiency in Portuguese language – at least A2 level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale
• Demonstration of links and integration into the Portuguese community
• No tax obligation in Portugal

What are the Benefits of a Portuguese Citizenship?

Successfully obtaining Portuguese citizenship gives you the same rights as other Portuguese citizens. As a Portuguese citizen, you will have new rights such as paying the same taxes as other Portuguese citizens, voting and running for office in local and European elections, and accessing public health care.

Another benefit of Portuguese citizenship is that if you choose to study in Portugal, you will pay lower tuition fees compared to foreign nationals.

Additionally, a Portuguese passport is in the list of top 5 passports considered the most powerful in the world. It allows you to travel, live, work and study in Portugal and across the European Union without restrictions. The Portuguese passport gives visa-free entry to a total of 188 countries.