Portugal Work Visa From Qatar

Non-EU residents including Qatari Nationals do require a valid residency visa to remain and work in Portugal legally. There are multiple visa options that Qataris can apply for that allows them to live and work in Portugal.

However, deciding which visa route is most suitable can be difficult. Each visa pathway has different criteria covering education, skills, job experience, type of job and their financial circumstances.

If you are confused about which Work Visa is the best pathway for you then reach out to an immigration specialist to ensure you are applying for the correct visa, otherwise you could risk your ability to move to Portugal from Qatar.

Page Contents

• Overview Of Portugal Work Visa From Qatar
• Work Visas in Portugal Available For Citizens Of Qatar
• General Portugal Work Visa Requirements From Qatar
• How Much Does A Portugal Work Visa Cost?
• Applying for a Portugal work visa From Qatar
• Portugal Work Visa Processing Time
• Can A Portugal Work Visa Or Permit Lead To Permanent Residency?
• How Can Total Law Help?
• Frequently Asked Questions

Portugal Startup Visa

The Startup Visa is designed to encourage investment, talent and innovation-related capability to Portugal.

International entrepreneurs must fulfil the following requirements in order to be eligible for the Startup Visa to live and work in Portugal.

• Expand commercial ventures that will generate cutting-edge products and services;
• Establish or move technology- and knowledge-focused businesses and/or initiatives with the aim of creating ground-breaking goods;
• Aim to generate a set level of skilled jobs;
• Have the potential to achieve, five years after the incubation duration, an annual turnover or asset worth of more than 325,000 euros.

Highly Qualified Activity Visa

You can also live and work in Portugal under the Highly Qualified Activity Visa. This visa is granted to individuals who already have a confirmed job offer from a Portuguese employer.

In order to qualify for this visa, Qatari nationals must be highly skilled, specifically in areas where there is a labour shortage in Portugal, including scientists, healthcare professionals, managers, and engineers. The employer is required to prove that no other Portuguese national or EU citizen was suitable for the role and therefore it was offered to an overseas worker.

Individuals are able to remain in Portugal for up to 2 years with a Highly Qualified Activity Visa and it can be extended if required.

Volunteer Work Visa

Qatari citizens who wish to pursue volunteer work in Portugal can apply for the Volunteer Work Visa.This type of visa will only allow holders to perform volunteer work in Portugal for up to one year or until the end of the volunteer work.

During this time, the applicant cannot indulge in any other professional activity in the country and the Volunteer Work Visa is not extendable.

Professional Training Visa

A Professional Training Visa is suitable for those wanting to undertake vocational training in Portugal. For this visa, applicants will need a contract from the training institute or organisation that clearly states the purpose and duration of the training. Based on this information, the Professional Training Visa will either be viable for one year or until the end of the training. In case the visa holder wants to pursue a full-time job after completion of their training, they will need to apply for a Skilled Worker Visa as the Training Visa cannot be extended.

The EU Blue Card

Highly qualified non-EU professionals can also apply for a EU Blue Card, which is another type of visa that will allow Qatari nationals to live and work in Europe, including Portugal.
If you possess in-demand skills and certifications, such as an advanced degree, then you can obtain an EU Blue Card, which is a resident visa. Its validity ranges from one to four years (depending entirely on the individual work contract).

To qualify for the visa, the applicant must meet a range of criteria including having a monthly income 1.5 times more that the average salary of a Portuguese citizen.

We understand that identifying which visa would be best suitable for your needs can be very confusing and challenging. For more information on which visa route would be best for your situation and circumstances, feel free to get in touch with our legal experts at Total Law through the online chat option or by calling us at  +44 (0)333 305 9375 .

General requirements to get a visa to enable you to come to Portugal include the following:

• A filled and signed visa application form
• A Qatari passport with at least two empty pages
• If you have a job contract, the a copy of it must also be submitted
• Health insurance
• Passport photographs and biometric fingerprint data
• Flight reservation
• Proof of accommodation
• In case you do not have a job offer letter, then you must also provide proof of sufficient funds to support your stay in Portugal. This can be done by submitting bank statements.
• Proof of clear criminal record

The fees associated with each type of work visa pathway might differ slightly. The most recent rates updated by the Portuguese government are:

It is important to note that these are just the visa costs, additional charges may apply for verification and attestation or translation of documents (if applicable).

Applicants must apply for a visa through the Portuguese Consulate in their nation or through the VFS Global office in Qatar. All forms must be submitted correctly and with the right supporting documentation, otherwise the application could be delayed or rejected.

The application may involve an interview with an official to assess the suitability of the applicant and clarify any outstanding details. The Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) will also need your employer to submit an application for a work permit on your behalf.

It is important not to make any travel arrangements until your visa has been approved by the Portuguese authorities.

The visa processing time for each individual can vary significantly based on their previous travel history to any of the Schengen regions, financial background, criminal background, and many other factors.

Most visas are approved within two to three months but waiting times for appointments and interviews (if requested) might cause an unforeseen delay. To avoid any unwanted delays you should ensure you submit your application well in advance.

Yes, the time you work in Portugal on a Work Visa can be counted among the total time you need to spend in Portugal before you can apply for a Permanent Residency status.

You may apply for a Permanent Resident permit if you have used a temporary resident permission to remain in Portugal for at least five years. It is important to note that Qatar does not recognise dual-citizenship so you would have to relinquish your Qatar passport if you wanted to become a Portuguese citizen.