Work authorisation
Residence visa for subordinate work (a national visa for paid employment), followed by an AIMA residence permit for subordinate work (Aliens Act art. 88(1), holders of a residence visa). Since April 2025 there is also the 'Protocol for Regulated Labour Migration' (PCMLR). It is a faster channel for employers who sign up, but it does not lower the legal visa requirements.
The worker applies for the residence visa at the Portuguese embassy or consulate that covers their country of residence. Some countries use an external provider such as VFS. The employer provides the work contract, work promise or 'demonstration of interest'. The employer can also sign a term of responsibility as proof of means. After arrival, the worker applies to AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum) for the residence permit.
How you enter the country
National residence visa (type D) for subordinate work. It allows two entries and is valid for 4 months. Within that time the holder must apply to AIMA for a residence permit. Visa applications can be started on the e-Visa portal (pedidodevistos.mne.gov.pt). The pages we opened do not say whether a personal visit or biometrics are needed.
Processing times
The legal deadline to decide a residence visa is 60 days, except where the law says otherwise (vistos.mne.gov.pt). The AIMA residence permit: not stated.
Documents you usually provide
- National visa application form, filled in and signed
- Two recent passport photos
- Passport valid 3 months beyond the planned return date, plus a copy of the data page
- Proof of legal stay if applying outside the country of nationality
- Travel insurance covering medical costs and repatriation
- Criminal record certificate from the country of nationality and from any country lived in for over a year, with an apostille or legalised
- Work contract, work promise or demonstration of interest from the employer
- Proof of means of subsistence (the contract salary counts, or an employer term of responsibility)
- Professional certificate only if the profession is regulated in Portugal (warehouse order picking normally is not)
After arrival
Book an AIMA appointment through contactenos.aima.gov.pt ('Residence permit with consular visa (non-CPLP)'), giving the passport and visa numbers. At an AIMA store, hand in in person: valid passport, valid residence visa for subordinate work, employer declaration of the work relationship, declaration of home address with proof (lease, landlord declaration or property record), and proof of registration with the tax office and social security. The temporary residence permit is valid for 2 years and can be renewed for 3 years at a time.
How Worrki helps
We confirm the job with the employer, coordinate the employer documents and check your package before you apply. You submit the application yourself and the authorities make the decision. See jobs and conditions in Portugal.
This summary was checked against the official pages listed below on 2 November 2026. Fees are set by the authorities and change often, so we do not quote them here. Always confirm the current requirements and fees with the consulate that serves your country of residence.