Portugal Visa From Japan
Japan is one of the countries that has a visa-free agreement with Portugal. Therefore, as a Japanese national, you are not required to obtain a Portugal visa before entering Portugal, unless you intend to stay for more than 90 days.
If you need more information about a Portugal visa from Japan, the requirements, the Portugal visa application process, the fees involved or other services we offer, reach out to us at IAS. Call us today on +44 (0)333 305 9375 or message us online.
Is a Portugal Visa Needed For Japanese Citizens
Japanese citizens do not need a Portugal Schengen visa to enter Portugal, provided they wish to stay for 90 days within 180 days. The sole reason is that Portugal and Japan have a visa-free agreement and do not require their citizens to present a visa at their borders to be granted entry into their territories.
Non-Japanese citizens resident in Japan whose countries do not have a visa-free agreement with Portugal must obtain a Portugal visa to enter the country both on a short-term and long-term basis. As a Japanese citizen who wants to enter Portugal and stay for 90 days, you are only required to present your Japanese international passport, round-trip flight reservation, and any other document as may be required by the Portuguese immigration officers.
But if you want to stay in Portugal for more than 90 days, you must obtain a standard Portugal National visa. This Portugal National visa permits you to enter, live, work, and study in Portugal for more than 1 year.
You will also be issued a temporary residence permit by the Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) upon your entry into Portugal. When you renew your residence permit and stay for up to 5 years in Portugal, you may qualify for Portuguese citizenship or permanent residency status in the country.
To obtain the Portugal National visa that will allow you to stay for more than 90 days in Portugal, you must meet the requirements of the specific Portugal visa that aligns with your travel purpose.
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Portugal Visas That Japanese Citizens Need To Apply For
Citizens of countries that have Schengen agreement and other visa-free agreements with Portugal are not required to obtain a Portugal visa to stay for 90 days in Portugal. Because Japan is among those countries, Japanese citizens are only required to obtain a visa that meets their travel purpose to enter Portugal, if they wish to stay in Portugal for more than 90 days.
Japanese nationals who want to remain indefinitely in Portugal can obtain Portuguese citizenship or permanent residency status, provided they meet all requirements. They include:
Portugal Golden Visa
The Portuguese government designed the Portugal Golden visa, also known as the Residence Permit Programme to bring non-EU investors into Portugal. You can enter other countries in the Schengen area and Europe with your Portugal Golden visa without obtaining another visa.
These investors are required to invest in Portugal in exchange for a Golden visa and residence permit that can be renewed for up to 5 years. Thereafter the holder of the Portugal Golden visa may qualify for Portuguese citizenship or permanent residency having met all the Portugal nationality law requirements. The investments you are required to make are of various forms.
You may invest by purchasing an already existing business, or even establish a new business of your own in Portugal and create employment opportunities for Portuguese and European nationals in Portugal, etc. The major goal of investing in Portugal is to help boost the economy of the country.
Before the Portuguese authorities issue you the Golden visa, you must have invested in Portugal and maintained the investment for a minimum of 5 years. Unlike other minimum stay requirements for residency in Portugal, the Portugal Golden visa only requires the Japanese applicant to spend a total of 35 days within 5 years in Portugal (that is, you must spend just 7 days per year for 5 years).
Eligibility for Portugal Golden Visa
As a Japanese national, you must meet certain eligibility criteria to obtain a Portugal Golden visa. They include:
- Have no criminal record.
- Be 18 years old or above.
- Be a non-EU citizen.
- Invest in Portugal.
- Agree to invest at least €250,000.
- Own the investment capital.
- Plan to maintain the investment for up to 5 years.
- Have a NIF.
- Have a Portuguese bank account.
- Have health insurance worth €30,000.
Requirements for Portugal Golden Visa
Meet the following requirements for a Portugal Golden visa. Japanese nationals must:
- Get 2 passport-size photographs that meet the requirements of Portugal visa photos.
- Get a Japanese international passport. It must have a minimum of 2 blank pages where your Portugal Golden visa will be affixed. Also, it should have at least 3 months validity after your Golden visa expires.
- Provide Portugal Golden visa application form. The Portuguese official E-visa portal (website) is where you can access the Golden visa application form.
- Get an affidavit to convince the Portuguese authorities of your willingness to maintain the investment for 5 years.
- Bring a criminal record certificate. Obtain a Police Clearance Certificate from The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD). It must prove that you have no criminal charges against you.
- Prove that you have €30,000 for your health insurance during your stay in Portugal.
- Get payment receipt from the Portuguese ARI portal.
- Provide other relevant documents regarding your investment in Portugal.
Processing Time
Japanese citizens applying for the Portugal Golden visa must wait for up to 2 years to know their position regarding their visa application.
Fees
Japanese nationals are expected to pay about €5,325 for the Portugal Golden visa application fee and pay €2,663 to renew it. You’re also required to pay €533 processing fee and also pay the same amount while renewing it. Your dependents are required to pay €83 processing fee and also pay the same amount while renewing it.
D7 Visa Portugal
The Portugal D7 visa is also suitable for Japanese nationals who want to enter Portugal and stay for more than 90 days. This visa is also used to attract people to Portugal, especially independent income earners.
The Portugal D7 visa is also referred to as the Passive Income visa suitable for retirees, remote workers and freelancers to enter Portugal and stay for up to 2 years. You can renew your residence permit until you stay up to 5 years in Portugal and may probably qualify for Portuguese citizenship or permanent residency.
You are not allowed to work for a Portuguese employer with your D7 visa, all the work you do and the income you earn must come from abroad. The Portugal D7 visa allows your dependents to join you in Portugal.
You will be granted free movement to and from other Schengen member states without another visa. And this and many other incentives are what your dependents will also get when they join you in Portugal.
Eligibility for a Portugal D7 Visa
Japanese applicants are required to meet the following D7 Portugal visa requirements. They include:
- Earn a minimum of €8,460 yearly.
- Have a NIF.
- Have a Portuguese bank account.
- Live in Portugal for at least 16 months in your first 2 years.
Requirements for a Portugal D7 Visa
Japanese citizens must meet the following requirements to obtain a Portugal D7 visa. You must:
- Get your Japanese international passport. It must be valid for at least 6 months after your visa expires.
- Provide your D7 visa application form.
- Provide your 2 passport-size photographs.
- Get your cover letter.
- Prove that you earn about €3,040 per month as a freelancer and as a passive income earner, you receive about €8,460 per year.
- Show that you have about €30,000 to cover any expenses that may arise while you are in Portugal.
- Prove that you have accommodation. It could be a hotel reservation, rental agreement, and so on.
- Prove that you have no criminal history in Japan by providing your Police Clearance Certificate.
Processing Time
Japanese applicants should expect a decision on their Portugal D7 visa application in 90 to 180 days.
Fees
A fee of about €180 must be paid for the Portugal D7 Visa application service fee. Also, you must pay €320 to the SEF for your residence permit.
Portugal Study Visa
As a Japanese national, you may enter Portugal and take up a short study course without a visa, provided the course does not last beyond 90 days. But if your study will last for more than 90 days, you must obtain either a Temporary Study or Long-Stay Study visa.
The Temporary Study visa allows the holder to take up a course that lasts from 3 to 12 months. Whereas a Long-Stay Study visa allows the holder to study in Portugal for more than 1 year. You will be allowed to continue renewing your Long-Stay Study visa as long as your course is still ongoing.
Non-Japanese residents in Japan whose countries do not have a visa-free agreement with Portugal must obtain a Study visa to enter Portugal regardless of whether they want to stay in Portugal for 90 days or more.
Eligibility Requirements for a Portugal Study Visa
Meet the following requirements if you are a Japanese student who wants to study in Portugal. You must:
- Provide your passport-size photographs that conform with the requirements of the Portuguese visa application.
- Provide your Japanese international passport or travel document.
- Provide your Portugal Study visa application form.
- Get your letter of acceptance into a Portuguese educational institution.
- Provide evidence of having health insurance to cover any unplanned expenses.
- Show that you have enough funds to meet your needs by getting your proof of sponsorship, bank statements, etc.
- Provide evidence of paid tuition fees.
- Prove that you have accommodation in Portugal, such as a dormitory, a hotel reservation, or an invitation by a family member or friend who resides in Portugal.
- Provide your Police Clearance Certificate.
Processing Time
To get a decision on your Portugal Study visa, you must wait for about 3 months.
Fees
Pay €90 for your Portugal Study visa application fee at the Portuguese embassy in Tokyo. Pay €83 to the SEF to process your residence permit, and also pay €72 to receive it from the SEF.
Portugal Work Visa
Japanese citizens must obtain a standard Portugal Work visa to be permitted to work without restrictions in Portugal. If you have plans to remain indefinitely in Portugal the Portugal Work Visa is also a great option for you.
However, your Portuguese employer must first offer you a job before you start your Portugal Work visa application. Also, before your Portuguese employer extends this job offer to you, that job must have been advertised by your employer.
The Institute of Employment and Vocational Training in Portugal (IEFP) must have proved that the same job may be open for a non-EU national to take after no qualified applicant was found in Portugal. Your employer must submit a request to the Portuguese Labour Authorities to obtain a work permit on your behalf.
Your work permit will explain your job description and the location. Whenever you want to change jobs or relocate, you must obtain another work permit. The reason is that your work permit must match your job description and location.
Thereafter, you may proceed with your Portugal Work visa application that will grant you entry into Portugal. Upon your entry into Portugal, you must request a residence permit valid for 1 year.
You may qualify to apply for Portuguese citizenship or permanent residency when you have renewed your residence permit and have stayed in Portugal for 5 years.
Eligibility Requirements for Portugal Work Visa
Japanese citizens who want to work in Portugal for more than 90 days must provide the following documents:
- Provide your Japanese international passport.
- Get passport-size photographs that meet the conditions of Portugal visa application photos.
- Provide your employment contract.
- Show that you have enough funds to cover your expenses in Portugal.
- Provide your Police Clearance Certificate from The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD) to prove that you do not have a criminal history.
- Get permission for the SEF to cross-check your criminal history.
- Prove that you have about €30,000 as travel health insurance.
- Provide proof of accommodation, such as a rental contract, hotel reservation, or an invitation letter from a friend or family member residing in Portugal.
- Get your visa as proof of legal stay in Portugal, if you are in Portugal.
- Get your residence permit or visa as proof of legal stay, if you are applying from a country other than Portugal.
Processing Time
You must wait for a decision on your Portugal Work visa application for up to 2 to 3 months. When you enter Portugal and apply for a residence permit at the SEF, it will take about 60 days to get it.
Fees
You are required to pay €90 visa fee at the Portuguese embassy in Tokyo. Also, when you arrive in Portugal you must pay €83 for the SEF to process your residence permit. Finally, you will pay €72 to get it from the SEF.
Generally, all the above-mentioned documents about different Portugal visas must all be translated from Japanese into Portuguese or English. Ensure that your documents are translated by a legalised translator and make sure they are notarised.
If you need more information regarding how to apply for a Portugal visa or the required documents for the specific visa that meets your travel purpose, reach out to us at IAS. Call us today on +44 (0)333 305 9375 or contact us online.
Permanent Residency Options For Japanese Citizens
Overview
Japanese citizens and other non-EU nationals are issued the Portuguese residency permit to stay beyond 90 days in Portugal. With the residency permit, you are allowed to live, work and study in Portugal.
The validity period of a temporary residence permit is from 1 to 3 years. That being said, your major reason for entering Portugal and how long you wish to stay in the country largely determines the type of residency permit you will obtain.
Once you obtain a temporary residence permit, you may renew it for up to 5 years. After that, you may apply to switch it to a permanent residence permit (if you want to remain in Portugal indefinitely), provided you have met all requirements. However, you may continue to renew your temporary residence permit if you do not wish to remain in Portugal for the foreseeable future.
How to Apply for Portugal Permanent Residency Permit
As a Japanese citizen who wants to remain in Portugal indefinitely, you may do the following to apply for a permanent residency permit in Portugal:
Apply for a Residency Permit
You must obtain a specific Portugal visa type (residency visa) that meets your travel purpose before you are allowed to enter Portugal. When you enter Portugal, you will need to apply for a residency permit.
It typically takes about 60 days to process the residency visa, and it is usually valid for up to 3 to 4 months. Gather all your documents, fill out your visa application form, and organise an appointment at the Portuguese embassy in Tokyo.
You have to submit your documents at the appointment and have your biometric information (fingerprints and photographs) taken. For your work permit, your employer must tender an application to the Portuguese Labour Authorities on your behalf.
Apply for a Residence Permit
Once you have entered Portugal successfully, you can now apply to change your residency visa to a temporary residence permit as a Japanese national at the SEF. In the process, you will be issued a social security number at a registration office.
Note that your residency visa is only valid for 4 months (120 days), therefore you must switch your residency visa to a temporary residence permit before that 4 months elapse.
Your temporary residence permit will be valid for an initial 2 years, after which you can renew it for an additional 3 years. When your total stay in Portugal gets to 5 years, you may now qualify to apply for Portuguese permanent residency or citizenship.
Portugal Citizenship For Japanese Citizens
Overview
Obtaining Portuguese citizenship is hassle-free, unlike many other European countries. That being said, you can obtain Portuguese citizenship or permanent residency if you meet all the requirements.
You are assigned an EU passport once you are granted Portuguese citizenship. Your EU passport will allow you to have freedom of movement to and from all the countries in the Schengen zone and other European countries.
Besides that, you will enjoy all the benefits that come with being a Portuguese citizen among which is having the right to vote and be voted for. You will also benefit from the public healthcare services provided for the Portuguese citizens and residents.
There are several Portugal citizenship routes that Japanese nationals can take. Some of these routes include citizenship by descent, naturalisation, and investment.
For you to be considered to obtain Portugal citizenship by descent, you must prove that one of your parents is a Portuguese citizen. You are allowed to trace your ancestry down to your grandparents (second generation).
Your parents must have remained nationals of Portugal and not have renounced their citizenship. Ensure that you meet other nationality requirements for you to be granted Portugal citizenship by descent. You will be asked to pay €175 to €200 to apply for Portuguese citizenship by descent.
Obtaining Portuguese citizenship by naturalisation requires you to enter and stay in Portugal for a minimum of 5 years. One of the most recommended residency visas to obtain for this course is the Portugal Work visa.
The Portugal Work visa will allow you to live and work in Portugal and renew your residence permit for up to 5 years. When you have stayed for 5 years in Portugal, you may now apply for Portuguese citizenship or permanent residency.
Additionally, you can become a Portuguese citizen by naturalisation if you are married in Portugal. Unlike other forms of residency visas that require you to stay for up to 5 years, naturalisation through marriage only requires you to be married in Portugal for just 3 years to obtain Portuguese citizenship. You must therefore meet other eligibility requirements to qualify for Portuguese citizenship.
If you are a Japanese investor who wants to invest in Portugal, you can obtain Portuguese citizenship by investing in the country. You can invest in Portugal through one of the investment programmes called the Portugal Golden visa or Portuguese citizenship by investment.
Through this programme, you are given various investment options that you are required to maintain for a minimum of 5 years. When you maintain this investment and fulfill all other requirements you will be issued an EU passport. You will be able to enjoy all the incentives Portuguese indigenes have.
Eligibility Requirements for Portugal Citizenship
Japanese nationals who want to obtain Portuguese citizenship can do so if:
- They were born in Portugal.
- Their parents or grandparents are Portuguese.
- Their spouses are Portuguese nationals.
- They have lived in Portugal for up to 5 years as legal residents.
In obtaining your Portuguese citizenship, you must meet some requirements. The place you were born, your family members’ nationality and how many years you have stayed in Portugal, etc., will determine what you must provide to obtain your Portuguese citizenship. Pay €250 to apply for Portuguese nationality.
How Can IAS Help?
There are types of Portugal visas, such as Portugal visa for tourism, work, business etc., designed to align with your travel purpose to Portugal. Although Japanese citizens are not required to obtain a Portugal visa before entering Portugal for a short stay (not more than 90 days).
You must obtain a specific visa for the reason that brings you into Portugal if you intend to stay for more than 90 days. Obtaining a Portugal visa might seem complicated because it involves rigorous processes that may weigh you down.
You must keep up with deadlines for gathering required documents and application submission. This is why you need expert guidance in your application process.
We recommend you reach out to one of our immigration advisers at IAS. We are professional immigration advisers with years of experience and a positive track record of successful outcomes of Portugal visa applications.
Let us help you gather your documents, assemble them, prepare you for a visa interview and be by your side throughout the Portugal visa application process. Call us today on +44 (0)333 305 9375 or contact us online.
Last modified on October 10th, 2023 at 6:50 am
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Frequently Asked Questions
It typically takes about 15 working days to process a Portugal visa application.
As a Japanese citizen, you do not need a visa to enter Portugal for tourism purposes provided your stay does not exceed 90 days.
No, you are not allowed to work in Portugal with a Tourist visa. If you find employment while you are in Portugal on a Tourist visa, you need to leave Portugal at once, go back to Japan, and apply for a Portugal Work visa.