The Portugal Highly Qualified Professionals Visa program is intended for investors, entrepreneurs, and small and medium-sized enterprises. If you fall into this category and are looking to get residency in Portugal, which can be a fast-tracked priority, you can consider this visa option.
If you are one of the highly qualified professionals, you may apply for a Portugal Highly Qualified Professionals Visa after you find a job in the country. Having a 2-year residence permit in Portugal, you also obtain the right to live and work there.
To help you navigate the Highly Qualified Professionals Visa Program, let’s take a closer look at its process and advantages.
Highly Qualified Professionals Visa Program: What are the Essentials and Program鈥檚 Basics?
Cost: Applicants are expected to make contributions of around EUR 170,000 – 175,000.
Residency: It is issued for two plus three years. Permanent residency can be obtained within 5 years.
Citizenship: Highly Qualified Professionals Visa applicants are eligible to apply for citizenship after 5 years.
Reasons to Choose Portugal Highly Qualified Professionals Visa
- European Union residency for the whole family
- Access to local talent within Portugal’s startup investment environment
- Security for property, banking, and conducting business in Europe
- Route to obtaining a Portuguese passport and permanent residence status
Eligibility for the Portuguese Highly Qualified Professionals Visa Program
- 18 years old or older
- Health insurance
- Clean criminal record both in Portugal or abroad
- Qualified specialists whose jobs are connected with intellectual labour
- Having a higher education diploma and a work agreement
- Or having a written guarantee with a Portuguese employer
- *The salary must be higher than 鈧�1,330, which is 1.5 times higher than the average gross salary
*If you have a profession that is highly needed in Portugal, the minimum salary must be 1.2 times higher than the average.
Dependents for Portugal鈥檚 Highly Qualified Professionals Visa Program
- Family members can apply for Portugal residence permit through Highly Qualified Professionals Visa after the main applicant.
- You can include your spouse or children under 18 in the application.
- If you have children over 18 and they are dependent on you, you can apply for them as parents.
- It is required that your full-age children study in Portugal, and they should be single.
Who Can be Considered Ideal Applicants for the Highly Qualified Professionals Visa?
- High-level executives seeking a solution for residency
- Entrepreneurs, investors, and business owners wanting to expand into new markets or who have a backup plan
- Young professionals and cryptocurrency experts seeking a vibrant lifestyle with European values
- Young couples and families pursuing a cheap, safe location to live, with a focus on healthcare and education
- Retirement and frequent travelers who are financially self-sufficient and looking for wellness or cultural enrichment
Applying for Portugal Highly Qualified Professionals Visa: Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Prepare your documents
To ensure eligibility and compliance with program standards, the first step involves carrying out a preliminary due diligence and compliance evaluation. You also need to deliver the required documents for application, including a copy of your passport, proof of address, and CV or professional qualifications.
Step 2: Schedule a meeting
You need to participate in an online assessment meeting.
Step 3: Prepare your application
If you are an eligible investor, you can receive assistance in obtaining the required documentation and expressions of support, including those related to the identified R&D project. As instructed, you will support these efforts by authorizing/securing the requisite biographical documents and clearances.
Step 4: Travel to Portugal & secure your residence permit
The next step is to schedule an appointment at AIMA in Portugal. This indicates that you can enter Portugal without a visa if you already have one, are citizens of a country exempt from visa requirements (such as the US or the UK), or can quickly obtain a visa from any Schengen country. If that is not possible, an appointment at the Portuguese consulate will be scheduled in order to apply for a D visa.
You must come in person to AIMA and turn in the entire file for processing and evaluation. The residency permits will be processed and ready for delivery to your designated location in a time frame of 6 to 10 weeks. The initial residence permit is issued for a period of 2 years.
Step 5: Renew your residence permit
The extension of the residence permit will be contingent and in effect 90 days before the initial 2 year residence expiration. Upon extension, the permit will be valid for an additional 3 years.
Step 6: Apply for permanent residency or citizenship
You can apply for citizenship and become eligible for permanent residency after completing the 3-year second residence period and five years of temporary residence.
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Benefits of Portugal Highly Qualified Professionals Visa
- Immigration to Portugal, where one can benefit from a temperate climate and live as an expat
- Possibility of visiting other Schengen countries: You can travel to other Schengen nations without a visa as a Portuguese citizen, and you can spend up to 90 of your 180 days there.
- Portugal’s typical income tax rates, which range from 14,5% to 48%, allow for tax optimization.
- Application for citizenship after five years. Portugal permits its residents to possess several passports; thus, there’s no need to give up their previous citizenship.
Residency and Citizenship Benefits for Entrepreneurs and Investors
- EU residency and pathway to citizenship
- Visa exemptions and unrestricted mobility within the European Union
- Safe and fair first-world jurisdiction
- Dual citizenship possibility
Tax and Banking Incentives
- Tax and banking incentives
Quality of Life
- A strong healthcare system and less crime
- A vibrant, diverse global community that is family-friendly
- An established and reasonably priced real estate market
- Adaptable physical presence
Cost and Value Benefits
- Cost-effectiveness when compared with the Golden Visa
- Sustainable alternative to Portugal Golden Visa
Support and Security
- The government and universities of Portugal support Highly Qualified Professionals Visa
- More exclusive program with simple extension and quicker approval
- Less money out of the total than other EU residency or citizenship programs
- Less risks or expenses related to real estate management in the property market
Cost of Applying for Highly Qualified Professionals Visa in Portugal
The total cost to apply for the Highly Qualified Professionals Visa in Portugal is 鈧�170,000 – 鈧�175,000, including all legal fees, process costs, and R&D fund contributions.
Here are the potential payments in three stages, and some of your payments may be refundable depending on your contract.
- Due on engagement to start the process and request appointment with the official immigration office of Portugal, AIMA (Ag锚ncia para a Integra莽茫o Migra莽玫es e Asilo).
- Due on successful appointment with AIMA.
- Due on success of receiving your residence ID.
Requirements for Portugal Highly Qualified Professionals Visa
Here are the required documents for Highly Qualified Professionals Visa Portugal application.
- Passport copy
- Proof of address
- CV or professional qualifications
- The filled-in visa application form
- Two color photos 3×4 cm
- Higher education diploma
- No criminal record certificate with an apostille
- Employment contract or its written guarantee
In addition, proof of residence in Portugal, such as a rental agreement, must be presented when applying for a residence permit with an Highly Qualified Professionals Visa.
Portuguese Highly Qualified Professionals Visa Program: What to Remember
- The Portugal Highly Qualified Professionals Visa program is a unique opportunity for highly skilled professionals seeking to relocate to Portugal.
- Highly Qualified Professionals Visa Portugal offers a fast and confident path to Portuguese residency and, eventually, Portuguese citizenship.
- The Portugal Highly Qualified Professionals Visa eligibility criteria are designed to attract top talent from around the world.
- The Portugal Highly Qualified Professionals Visa program does not have business performance requirements, making it an attractive option for individuals and startups.
- Successful applicants of the Portugal Highly Qualified Professionals Visa program can enjoy the benefits of Portuguese residency, including access to healthcare, education, and the ability to live and work freely within the country.
- 聽Empowered startups can thrive under the Portugal Highly Qualified Professionals Visa program due to its supportive and innovative environment.
- After five years of legal residency under the Portugal Highly Qualified Professionals Visa, applicants may be eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship.
Conclusion
The Portugal Highly Qualified Professionals Visa Program is a fast and cost-effective way to obtain a residency permit in Portugal. It offers family reunification for those seeking to live in Portugal. The program is flexible for remote workers and ambitious entrepreneurs looking to establish or expand their businesses in Europe.
It may be a comprehensive, family-friendly, and business-oriented approach to immigration. The program values skills, respecting family ties, and supporting business aspirations. So either you are aiming to apply for improving your career or to live with your family, you have your options available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there tax advantages to participating in the Portuguese Highly Qualified Professionals Visa program?
The banking system in Portugal is robust and entrepreneur-friendly, offering a range of incentives. Portugal鈥檚 usual income tax rates range from 14,5% to 48%. However, new residents may pay this tax at the fixed 20% rate if they obtain it.
What are the criteria that make the Portuguese Highly Qualified Professionals Visa Program different?
The Portugal Highly Qualified Professionals Visa Program is designed for highly skilled professionals such as managers, IT specialists, engineers, doctors, and scientists. The program offers fast-tracked priority residency in Portugal with exceptions to in-country stay requirements. It also provides several opportunities to optimize participants鈥� global tax position.
How can I acquire an Highly Qualified Professionals Visa and a Portugal residence permit?
To acquire an Highly Qualified Professionals Visa, you must provide a higher education diploma and a work agreement or a written guarantee with a Portuguese employer. The minimum term of the contract is a year. There are also salary requirements: it must be 1.5 times higher than the average gross salary in Portugal or three times higher than the social support index.
Do I need to have a business idea to qualify for Portugal鈥檚 Highly Qualified Professionals Visa program?
It is not necessary for you to have a completely developed company idea in order to apply. The quality of the candidate is what determines admission to the Highly Qualified Professionals Visa, not the merits of your business idea.
How long does the application process take?
Portuguese authorities are required by law to grant an Highly Qualified Professionals Visa within 30 days of the application being received. The complete process can take three to six months, starting with the first consultation and ending with the arrival of the residency card after the landing appointment in Portugal.
Does Portugal Highly Qualified Professionals Visa offer permanent residency?
Candidates for Citizenship or Permanent Residency must have been lawful residents of Portugal for five years in a row.
What is the main difference between the Portugal Golden Visa and the Portugal Highly Qualified Professionals Visa?
This program gives a real link to create a road to EU citizenship with flexible time on the ground, setting it apart from the Golden Visa. The Portugal Highly Qualified Professionals Visa program is a less expensive option than the Golden Visa program. It provides expedited application processing together with Golden Visa perks. There are no income or performance targets to meet, nor are there any local hiring restrictions. You have the freedom to take an active or passive role.
