D3 Visa Portugal (HQA: Highly Qualified Activity)

What is the D3 Visa in Portugal?

The Portugal D3 visa, also known as Highly Qualified Activity (HQA) visa, is a work visa for highly skilled individuals who already have a job offer or work contract from a Portuguese company that will be valid for at least 1 year.

The visa allows the holder and their family to enter Portugal and apply for an EU Blue card or Residence permit, enabling temporary residency in Portugal for up to 1 year.

The permit must be renewed every 2 years, giving applicants the opportunity to apply for permanent Portuguese residency after 5 consecutive years on the visa. This is providing the applicants remain employed and with legally approved residence during this time.

A Brief Description of The Portugal D3 Visa

The Portugal D3 visa comes with many benefits for candidates that are highly-qualified professionals and their families.

Given the demand for highly-qualified workers in Portugal, the Portuguese government has included EU travel freedoms, tax benefits and health care among the opportunities for D3 visa holders.

D3 visa candidates are given a priority application turnaround of 30 days for a decision to be made on their visa application.

Portuguese residence permits should be applied for within 4 months of arriving in Portugal. A residence permit registration costs €82, and will incur a fee each time it is renewed.

You may also apply for a European Union (EU) Blue Card after 18 months of legally residing in Portugal.

A Blue Card is a legal document that allows you, a highly skilled professional, to work and move freely within the European Union, EEA and Schengen areas with the exception of the countries Denmark and Ireland.

According to Portuguese legislation, the visa takes 60 days to process and expires 120 days after being approved. Prospective applicants can easily apply for the D3 visa using the online E-Visa Portal from their home country if it is not a member of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland.

Who is a Highly Qualified Professional?

With regards to the Portugal D3 Visa, a highly qualified professional is considered an individual who has higher education qualifications and skills in the following pursuits:

• Positions of authority or management, such as: directors of corporations, executives, public administration senior management staff, and administrative managers.
• Specialists in intellectual pursuits and the sciences, particularly in the disciplines of: medicine, science, IT, engineering, education, culture or law.

Eligibility is not limited to these particular fields however, as individuals may be eligible for the Portugal D3 visa providing they hold higher education qualifications and work in a similar highly-skilled sector.

Speak to one of our advisors today on +44 (0)333 414 9244 or contact us online to discuss whether your profession and background provides you with the grounds to apply for the visa.

Benefits of the Portugal D3 visa

The personal and financial benefits to the Portugal D3 visa are as follows:

• Visa holders may freely enter and circulate around the 26-country Schengen Area without the requirement of a visa
• The potential for family reunion in Portugal (with immediate relatives)
• After five years, eligibility for citizenship or permanent residency in Portugal as well as a Portuguese passport
• Rights of Portuguese residents to public services including healthcare and education
• EU citizenship for your children born after D3 visa holders have held legal residence for a minimum of 1 year in Portugal

There are tax benefits to the D3 visa with Portugal’s Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime. If you have never been on the NHR tax regime and have not lived in Portugal for the previous five years, you are eligible for the following benefits:

• Your income won’t be taxed for your first ten years in Portugal if you transfer your tax residency there.
• You only pay a flat rate of 20% in personal income tax (IRS) if your work is regarded as high value, which most professions covered by the D3 visa are
• If your nation has a Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) with Portugal, you may be entitled for tax exemption on rental income, your pension, dividends, royalties, profit from real estate, and income from non-Portuguese sources. Instead, you would be required to only pay taxes in your own nation.

Eligibility Requirements for Portugal D3 Visa

For applicants to be considered for the Portugal D3 visa, the requirements to meet are as follows:

• You must obtain an employment contract with a Portuguese company with a validity of at least 1 year or more.
• Be able to show proof of your higher education qualifications, such as a degree certificate, diploma or documents of this stature.
• Show proof that the estimated annual pay for your job offer is 1.5 times the gross national average salary in Portugal or 3 times the Index of Social Support (IAS), which is valued at €522.50. Additionally, people who plan to later submit an application for an EU Blue Card must meet this condition.

Documents Required for the Portugal D3 Visa Application

As well as meeting the eligibility requirements, prospective applicants will need to provide personal documents to support a visa application. They are as follows:

• Bank statements, tax returns (showing your source of income), and the term of responsibility signed by the employing company
• A signed declaration form stating the purpose of your travel to Portugal.
• A clear photocopy of documents, such as academic degrees (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate) plus your resume
• Passport that is still valid for at least three months after the intended stay
• Health insurance documents valid for your stay in Portugal
• Form granting Portuguese Immigration and Border Service (SEF) permission to review your criminal history, excluding minors under 16 years old
• Police Verification Certificate from the nation of origin of the applicant
• Two clear and recent 3×4 coloured passport style photographs
• Documents indicating where you will reside. This document can be provided as a signed invitation letter from a friend or family member residing in Portugal, a hotel reservation, or a rental contract
• Proof of the applicant’s consent to receive his/her passport by post at the residential address provided in the application or to have it collected at the consulates
• Declaration of understanding that you must not travel to Portugal without a visa
• Printed, completed, and signed visa application and form
• If married, a copy of the marriage certificate if intending to bring dependants
• For parents only, copy of the children’s birth certificates

How Much Does the Portugal D3 Visa Application Cost?

The cost of the D3 Visa application is €90. As with all visa application processes, the amount paid is non-refundable.

The cost of a residence permit is €82.

By enlisting the help of an IAS advisor, our team of skilled professionals can build your D3 application for you, ensuring each requirement is met before sending it off for review on your behalf.

This is a great option for a stress-free visa application. We can also check your completed application if you’d prefer to organise your affairs yourself. Give us a call on +44 (0)333 414 9244 or contact us online to see how we can help you, or chat with us online today.

How Can the Family Members of a D3 Visa Holder Obtain Residency Permit?

A Resident Permit holder in Portugal who obtained the permit through the D3 visa route has the right to family reunification by Portuguese and European immigration laws.

In other words, the family members of the Portuguese Resident Permit holder are eligible for residence status in Portugal.

Only spouses, siblings, children, parents (of one of the spouses), and legal dependents or children of the D3 Visa holder can apply for family reunification.

If the application for family reunification is successful, the family member will receive a Residence Card valid for the same period as the Resident Permit holder.

How IAS Can Help You With Portugal D3 Visa Application

If you are interested in the D3 Visa category offered by the Portuguese government, contact our immigration team on +44 (0)333 414 9244 or contact us online to guide you on the application process.

Our skilled immigration consultants hold accreditation from the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (IAA) and possess in-depth understanding of all immigration processes.

Ensure that your application is submitted fast and in the correct format with the assistance of the immigration specialists at IAS.

Reach out today in person, online or, via phone for professional assistance.