Portugal Work Visa Requirements

The documents you need when you apply for a Portugal work visa are:

• your valid passport 
• Passport-size pictures, following
  
• Proof of sufficient funds to sustain yourself.
• Your criminal records from your country of residence. If you have lived in another country for more than one year, you have to get criminal records from there as well.
• A document giving permission to the SEF to check your Portuguese criminal records.
• Proof of health insurance 
• proof of accommodation
• Your employment contract.
• If you are already in Portugal: Proof of legal entry into Portuguese territory, such as a visa.
• If you are applying from a country other than that of your origin: Proof of legal stay, such as a residence permit or a visa.

Document guidelines: 

• All the documents you submit have to be in English or Portuguese. If they are not, you must have them translated by a certified translator and then notarized.
• Certain documents, such as diplomas or civil documents, may have to be legalized. You can legalize documents through an Apostille Stamp or through the Portuguese Embassy in your country.

  How to Apply for a Portugal Work Visa?

  Once you have secured a job offer, the application for the Portuguese work visa is divided into three parts:

  1. Your employer applies for the Work Permit.They must do this after they have offered the job to you but before you travel to Portugal.
  2. You apply for a Work Visa at the Portuguese Embassy. Once you have a Work Permit, you must apply for a work visa at the Portugal Embassy, which you will use to enter the country.
  3. You apply for a Portugal Residence Permit.Once you have arrived in Portugal, you must apply for your Residence Permit for Work at the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF). This is what allows you to live in Portugal long-term.

  Step 1: Work Permit Application

  Once your employer offers you the job, they have to apply for a Work Permit (Autorização de Trabalho) at the Portuguese Labor Authorities or the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras – SEF) on your behalf. They must submit several documents, such as:

  • The employment contract
  • Company tax statements
  • Proof of having registered with Social Security
  • Proof that an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen could not have filled the position

  Step 2: Work Visa Application

  Once you receive authorization to work in Portugal, then you can go ahead and apply for a work visa from the Portugal Embassy in your country. This visa will allow you to travel to Portugal for work purposes and apply for a residence permit. The application process is as follows:

  • Locate the nearest Portuguese Embassy or Consulate. Find where you need to apply depending on your country of residence here.
  • Make an appointment to submit the application. You may have to call or email ahead.
  • Collect the required documents.
  • Submit the documents on the date of the appointment. You may also need to enter a visa interview.

  This type of visa is valid for about three to four months, during which time you have to apply for a residence permit and register your stay.

  Step 3: Residence Permit Application

  Once you arrive in Portugal, you have to apply for a residence permit as well as register for social security and get a tax number.

  • To register for security, you must visit the Social Security Office.
  • To apply for a residence permit, your first stop is the website of the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF).

  Appointment: When you apply for a visa at the Embassy, they may make an appointment for you at the SEF, provided you tell them the date in which you intend to travel and where in Portugal you will be settled.