Residence permit for highly skilled professionals
SEF (Department of Migration and Border Control) - Servico de estrangeiros e fronteiras deals with the issuing, extending and replacing residence permits in Portugal. One of the reasons for obtaining a temporary residence permit in Portugal is the D3 visa - a visa for persons who are highly qualified specialists, independently carry out highly qualified activities and plan to stay in the country for more than 90 consecutive days. There is also a separate Tech Visa in Portugal for highly qualified specialists who work in certified companies.
The First Legal Portugal company provides full support turnkey services for obtaining a D3 visa and a temporary residence permit on the basis of a D3 visa for highly qualified specialists or a Tech Visa for highly qualified specialists working in certified companies. Our specialists provide support to the client during the implementation of all the necessary procedures that will be required to obtain this permit.
In Portugal, the application for permit is submitted in 2 ways:
- Preliminary online application submission (via the SAPA portal);
- In paper form through the office/branch of the SEF (Department of Migration and Border Control) - Servico de estrangerios e fronteiras.
Once your application has been accepted, you will have to undergo an interview at the SEF office/branch
The list of necessary documents for applying for a permit for highly qualified activities
- A document certifying the identity of the applicant;
- 2 color photos (if applying at the SEF office);
- Documents confirming the availability of means for living;
- Valid visa of D3 type;
- Documents confirming the lease or ownership of real estate for residence;
- A document confirming registration with the tax service and social insurance bodies;
- Valid medical policy;
- Authorization from SEF for a criminal record check;
- A valid contract for the provision of services, for a highly qualified specialist;
- An employment contract concluded for a period of at least 1 year with an average salary of at least 1.2 of the average annual salary in the country (for highly qualified specialists working in certified companies).
A residence permit is issued for 1 year. After 1 year of the permit has expired, it can be extended for 2 years, with the possibility of extension for another 2 years after that.
The permit may be refused if the applicant:
- Submitted knowingly false information;
- Has a criminal record for a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term of more than 1 year;
- The applicant is prohibited from entering the territory of Portugal after his previous expulsion;
- Existing bans in the SEF database or in the Schengen Information System.
