Portugal Work Visa for Indians

For the Portugal job seeker from India, there are the following eligibility criteria that need to be met such as:

• The applicant must have an employment letter from a Portuguese company or business before applying for a visa.

• Individuals already in Portugal on student visa or temporary residence visa got employment in the country can apply for a work visa.

• An employer of a Portuguese company can apply for a work permit on the employee's behalf by applying the labour authority of Portuguese.

• Applicants must have subsistence proof of means while staying in the country.

• The eligible applicant must have all attested technical and educational documents to verify the qualification.

• An applicant must have a character certificate.

Work Visa Guidelines and Requirements for Employers

• There are certain sets of procedures that need to be done by the employer to get the working permit for employees. However, before doing that following criteria need to be met such as:

• The corporation, business, firm, or employer has certification that makes them legally entitled to hire foreign nationals.

• A working contract between the employer and employee.

• Copy of company tax statements.

• Document that proves the employer is registered with Social Security.

• A supporting document to prove that a Swiss, EU, or EEA citizen does not fill the position.

There are different types of work visas for Indian nationals based on the qualifications and skills to apply for, such as:

Work Visa for Skilled Workers - The very first Portugal work visa from India is for skilled workers which is the most common visa category. It is the visa category for professionals who have qualifications in medicine, science, engineering, etc field. The visa type is generally granted for 1 year. Individuals can extend this visa up to 5 years. Individuals under this category can apply for a permanent residence permit in Portugal after the 5-year duration.

Independent Work Visa -An Independent work visa or self-employed visa is another type of Portugal work visa option for Indian nationals. It is for the individual who works as a freelancer with service or business. This visa is also titled a Digital nomad or temporary visa. Under this visa category, individuals will have the validity to work in Portugal independently for up to a year. Individuals with their businesses or startups can obtain a temporary work visa for a year and can extend it up to 5 years.

Highly Qualified Work Visa - This is another Portugal work visa category for highly qualified individuals. It is for individuals who possess a very high qualification, such as scientific research, show business and more. In this visa category, individuals can get a temporary visa to work in Portugal for 1-year duration, which can be extended if needed by the applicant.

Cultural Activity Work Visa** - Applicants who work in a cultural field or have any relevant work experience in a cultural field can apply under this category. To apply for the cultural visa category, the applicant needs to have an invitation or offer letter from the Portuguese cultural authority or the government. Applicants applying under this category will have a short-term or temporary stay visa based on the stay period.

Teaching Work Visa - A teaching work visa is another type of category where individuals who have been offered a teaching job in an educational institute, research organisation, etc in a country. However, to apply under this category, individuals need to have a residence permit for highly qualified activity, also known as an EU Blue card. It is the residence permit card for non-EEA or non-EU nationals with high qualification skills such as teaching, scientific research, etc.

Tech Visa - This is another visa for Indian nationals for working professionals in innovation and technology. The applicant needs to be recruited by the Portuguese company for this visa category. The company must be registered in the country or certified by the IAPMEI. Under this visa type, individuals will get a validity period of 2 years to stay in the country, and it can be extended up to 3 more years.

Job Seeker Visa - This is the unique Portuguese job seeker visa program for foreign nationals. Under this program, foreign nationals can apply for visas to seek employment in the category. Individuals applying under this category will get a 3-month stay period to find a job in the country. However, the visa period can be extended for 60 more days if needed. If the applicant has found a job before the expiration of the visa period, then they need to apply for the residence permit. If the applicant didn't find the job and hasn’t applied for the visa extension then they need to exit the country before the visa expires.

To apply for the Portugal work visa, apply online from India; proper documentation is a must. With proper documentation the chances of visa success rate are higher. Below is the list of documents that are needed by the Indian nationals who are applying for a work visa.

• Duly signed and filled copy of portugal visa application as per the category.

• Coloured passport-size recent photographs in the asked format.

• Valid Indian passport with two blank pages.

• Educational qualification documents, training certificates, etc.

• Copy of work permit if an employer had applied on your behalf.

• Copy of clear criminal record and certificate from the authority.

• Copy of employment letter issued by the organisation or business.

• Copy of the contract between employer and employee.

• Copy of self-employed and independent contractor documents.

• Proof of funds subsistence for living in the nation.

• Proof of the accommodation in Portugal for the entire duration.

• A valid health insurance

Note: The document stated above may vary depending on the work visa category. It is best to ask for a list of documents from the employer or check the official website to know what documents are needed.

The proper procedure needs to be carried out for applying for a work visa in Portugal. The application procedure for a Portugal work visa from India is divided into three steps, which we are going to discuss below:

• • Apply for a Portugal Work Permit

• Apply for a Portugal Work Visa

• Apply for a Portugal Residence Permit

Step 1: Apply for Portugal Work Permit

The very first step of a Portuguese work visa from India is to get a work permit, which is the procedure done by the employer itself. The employer needs to submit the request on the employee's behalf to Portuguese Labor Authorities.

After the job confirmation, the employee needs to send the listed documents to the employer so that he can initiate the work permit process.

Once the work permit request has been approved, only the employee or applicant can start the next steps.

Step 2: Apply for a Portugal Work Visa

After getting the work permit from the employer, an applicant can begin the work visa procedures, which are divided into specific steps:

Fill out the visa application form - The very first thing is to fill out the visa application form, which is available on authorised websites or you can collect it from the Portugal embassy or consulate.

It is essential to make sure that all the details entered in the work visa application form are correct. If any information in the visa application form is false, the authorities can deny the application at the time of review.

Gather all the documents - After filling out the visa application form, the next step is to gather all the documents. The documents submitted should be original and in proper format as requested by the Portugal immigration officials.

The documents listed should either be in English or Portuguese. In some cases, applicants need to legalise some documents to verify their legitimacy. This can be done by putting an apostille stamp or verifying it at the Portuguese embassy.

Schedule an appointment with the Portugal Embassy and Consulate. Now, the next step is to schedule an appointment at the Portugal embassy and consulate to submit all the gathered documents or application forms in person.

At the appointment date, after submitting the documents and application form, individuals also need to go through the interview process.

In the interview process, immigration officers will ask applicants general questions about their personal and professional lives.

Wait for visa status - After the submission of documents, the immigration officer will verify the whole application and documents and decide on the visa application.

If the visa is granted or approved, individuals can initiate their travel booking. If it is rejected, then they can reapply again after some time.

Step 3: Apply for Portugal Residence Permit

After getting the approved work visa, individuals will have permission to enter the country. The 4-month time frame is given to applicants to enter Portugal and start the procedure for a residence permit.

Below are the steps that need to be undertaken by the applicant:

Register for Tax Number and Social Security Number - After landing in Portugal on work visa status, the first thing an individual needs to do is apply for a social security number in a government-authorised regional social security office.

The tax number can be applied even before travelling to Portugal. However, for that individual needs a Portuguese bank account to get a tax number.

If you don't have an account then after reaching Portugal, open a bank account and then apply for a tax number.

Schedule an appointment at SEF - The next step for applicants on work visas is to book an appointment with Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras or SEF agency.

Applicants need to go through another interview here; once the applicant passes the interview, the authorities will collect their biometrics and offer a residency permit.

The applicant can also book an SEF appointment from the home country while applying for a work visa. The embassy officer will make an appointment on your behalf based on your departure date and living status in Portugal.

The Portugal work visa fees from India depend on the length of the visa stay and visa category, which are single entry or multiple entry. Below are the Portugal work visa fees for Indians.

Other than this, there are various other costs involved in portugal work visa application.

If the visa gets rejected and the applicant wants to appeal it again, then they need to pay €75 (approx ₹6825) to carry out the procedure.

Note: The visa fees in Portugal might vary depending on the country's situation and volume of applications; it is advised to check the official embassy and consulate website. In case the visa gets rejected, the visa fees may not be returned; however, applicants have the flexibility to appeal their case.

Applicants can check the status of their Portugal work visa from India by following these steps:

Step 1: To track the visa application status, open the VFS global website.

Step 2: Next, click on the “Track your application” option in the menu bar.

Step 3: Now, enter the work visa application number and date of birth and check the captcha box.

Step 4: After adding all the details, hit the “Submit” button. The work visa application status will appear on the screen.

There are various reasons why Portugal's work visa request from India was rejected. Some of the cases are listed below:

Criminal Offence - If the applicant applying for a Portugal work visa has any criminal record against them, then the official has the right to reject the visa application.

Forged Document Submission - To get the work permit, if the applicant has provided forged or invalid documents, then the official can reject the application.

Incomplete Application Form- If the applicant hasn't submitted the visa application form carefully and some details in it are missing or wrong then the Portugal immigration official can reject the application.

Financial Instability - The authorities need proof of income and finances in applicant accounts to suffice their stay in the initial days. If the applicant did not have sufficient amounts in their account then the application can get rejected.

The Portugal work visa processing time in India consists of all three steps, which can take up to 2 to 4 months. In some cases, it might take more than that if the applicant gets stuck in one step. Other than this, the processing time also depends on the applicant's submitted document and embassy efficiency.

The processing time for getting a work permit is generally between 30 to 60 days if all the documents submitted by the employee are correct. The visa processing time after getting a work permit is between 2 to 3 months. The residence permit processing time can take up to 60 days.

Below are the details of the embassy and consulate of Portugal in India.

Once you have entered the nation, you need to go immigration security checkpoint at the airport in Portugal. Here the immigration official will verify all the documents and will provide clearance to enter the country for work.

Some of the tips that need to be kept in mind are:

• It is best to keep all your travel documents handy, such as your passport, approved visa, work permit, job offer letter, health insurance, etc, for immigration officials to check.

• Besides this, the immigration authorities will also need proof of residence in Portugal or income proof.

• After verifying the document, if approved by an official the immigration official will do the stamping and let you enter the country.

• If the officer is not satisfied with the submitted document and they feel something fishy then they can reject the request. In that case, the applicant will be deported back to their home country.

Note: Before entering the country, it is best to ask in advance to the embassy or consulate officer about the security checkpoint requirement to enter the territory.

Portugal is a part of the Schengen group of countries, which makes a travel insurance policy with medical coverage a mandatory requirement for a visit. Medical care facilities in European nations can be very costly for non-EU citizens. That's why the visa official has made travel insurance in Portugal with medical coverage a necessary visa requirement.

Not only this but by having travel insurance online, travellers can shield their finances in foreign nations during any emergency. From luggage loss to delayed flights and all, there are various coverages included in the travel insurance plan. However, budget is the first thing individuals look for while buying a travel insurance policy.

With this in mind, Tata AIG initiated an international travel insurance plan that starts at ₹40.82 per day. Individuals will have the option to customise plans based on their travel requirements.

Visit the Tata AIG website to buy travel insurance online in just a few steps.

The job sector in Portugal is in demand for new working professionals. It is a nation that allows Indian nationals to work in their country under the special signed treaty between both nations. However, individuals need to have a proper visa to enter the nation.

Further, the unemployed qualified individuals can also look for job opportunities in Portugal via their Portugal job-seeking program.

However, to apply under any work visa category in Portugal, it is crucial to meet the eligibility criteria.

Information last updated Jan 24. While this information is sourced reliably, visa requirements can change. For the most current visa details, visit the official Consulate/Embassy website.