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D3 · Highly Qualified Activity

D3 Visa: Highly Qualified Activity

Last verified: 2026-09-28

Overview

The D3 visa is for non-EU citizens who intend to carry out teaching, research, cultural or highly qualified activity in Portugal, under a link or invitation from a Portuguese entity.

Eligibility requirements

  • Intend to carry out teaching, research, cultural or highly qualified activity in Portugal, with a link or invitation from a Portuguese entity
  • For highly qualified subordinate activity: meet the legally required salary and duration thresholds
  • Higher education qualification or relevant professional experience, when required for the chosen route
  • Academic or professional recognition, when legally required
  • Professional registration/certification, when the profession is regulated
  • Have accommodation arrangements in Portugal
  • Valid travel insurance (medical costs, urgent assistance and repatriation), unless adequate cover is provided in the contract
  • Criminal record certificate from the country of origin or the country of residence for more than one year

Required documents

General documents9
  • Completed and signed national visa application form
  • Valid passport or other travel document
  • 2 recent passport-style photographs
  • Copy of the passport biographical page, when required by the consulate or external provider (Optional)
  • Criminal record certificate from the country of origin or the country of residence for more than one year
  • Authorisation to consult the Portuguese criminal record
  • Proof of lawful status in the country where the application is filed, when applicable (Optional)
  • Valid travel insurance covering medical costs, urgent medical assistance and possible repatriation
  • Proof of accommodation arrangements in Portugal
Financial documents1

  • Means of subsistence, family and formalities

    Proof of means of subsistence, when required and not adequately shown by the contract or remuneration (Optional)
Work documents13

  • Professional documents — depending on the activity

    Employment contract, promise of contract, services contract or equivalent document compatible with the activity
  • Services contract/promise or proof of a scientific research grant, when applicable to research (Optional)
  • Invitation letter from an education or vocational training institution, when applicable (Optional)
  • Invitation letter from a research centre, when applicable (Optional)
  • Invitation letter from an entity responsible for recognised cultural activity, when applicable (Optional)
  • Responsibility statement from a certified company, when applicable to the specific regime (Optional)

  • If the highly qualified activity is subordinate employment

    Employment contract or promise of employment contract with a minimum duration of 6 months (Optional)
  • Proof of the annual remuneration required by applicable law (Optional)
  • Diploma, certificate or document proving the high professional qualifications suited to the activity (Optional)
  • Proof of relevant professional experience, when used to demonstrate qualifications (Optional)
  • Academic or professional recognition, when legally required (Optional)
  • Proof of qualification, registration or certification for a regulated profession, when applicable (Optional)

  • Means of subsistence, family and formalities

    Complementary documentation on the nature and conditions of the activity, when required (Optional)
Other documents4

  • Family and formalities

    Documents for family members/dependents, when applicable (Optional)
  • Documents proving the family relationship, when required (Optional)
  • Parental authorisation or equivalent document, when applicable to minors (Optional)
  • Foreign documents legalised/apostilled and translated, when required (Optional)

Full procedure

  1. 1
    PreparationOnline

    Confirm eligibility

    Confirm you meet the visa requirements and gather your core documents.

  2. 2
    PreparationIn person

    Secure accommodation

    Obtain proof of accommodation in Portugal (rental or ownership).

  3. 3
    ConsulateOnline

    Book Consulate / VFS

    Book your appointment at the Portuguese consulate or VFS centre in your country of residence.

    https://visa.vfsglobal.com
  4. 4
    ConsulateIn person

    Submit the application

    Attend and submit the national visa application with all required documents.

  5. 5
    ConsulateOnline

    Visa decision

    Await the decision. The legal visa processing period is typically 60 days.

  6. 6
    ArrivalIn person

    Enter Portugal

    Travel on the D visa and prepare the residence-permit stage with AIMA.

  7. 7
    AIMAOnline

    Check AIMA appointment

    Confirm or await your biometrics / attendance appointment with AIMA.

    https://aima.gov.pt
  8. 8
    AIMAIn person

    AIMA appointment

    Attend AIMA for biometrics and to complete the residence-permit application.

  9. 9
    AIMAOnline

    Receive residence permit

    Receive the residence card and confirm renewal timelines.

Summary and timelines

Prazo / Timeline

30 days for the art. 61 route; 60 days for highly qualified subordinate activity under art. 61-A; then the AIMA procedure follows

Custo / Cost

D3 visa: free of charge + approx. €247.30 AIMA + documentary/VFS costs when applicable

Renovação / Renewal

2 years → 3 years → permanent residence at 5 years

Cidadania / Citizenship

Eligible after 5 years with A2 Portuguese

Perfil / Profile

Teachers, researchers, cultural professionals and highly qualified workers with a link or invitation in Portugal

Taxas / Fees

  • Consular visa feeFree of charge
  • Residence authorization fee (AIMA)approx. €247.30
  • Documentary / VFS costsWhen applicable