Long-Stay (Type D) — Subordinate Work (D1)Verified 2026-05-12Portugal D1 Subordinate Work Residence Visa (Long-Stay — Informational)
The D1 Visa is Portugal's long-stay route for Indian employees on subordinate-work contracts with Portuguese employers. AIMA (formerly SEF) is the substantive decision-maker. SureshotVisa does NOT process Portugal residence visas — this page is informational.
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Please note: SureshotVisa does NOT process Portugal long-term residence visas (D1 Work, D2 Entrepreneur, D3 Teaching, D4 Research/Study, D7 Retiree, D8 Family Reunification, D9 Digital Nomad, CPLP Mobility, Golden Visa, etc.). This page is provided for informational purposes only. For Portugal residence visas, apply directly via the Consular Section of the Embassy of Portugal in New Delhi + AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo) — or consult a licensed Portuguese immigration lawyer. We specialise in short-stay Schengen visas where our Indian-side expertise adds the most value.
Processing
60–90 days typically (D-visa preliminary decision by Embassy + AIMA substantive review)
Stay Duration
4-month entry D-visa; residence permit issued by AIMA on arrival (initial 1-2 years, renewable)
Starting Fee
€90
Apply At
11 VFS centres
Special Instructions — Read Before Applying
These requirements apply to ALL Portugal visa types. Violations mean your application will be rejected — read each one carefully.
- 1SureshotVisa does NOT process Portugal D1 work visas — informational only.
- 2Apply ONLY after you have a signed Portuguese job contract — speculative D1 applications are rejected.
- 3Regulated profession: secure DGES / Ordem certification BEFORE applying.
- 4Police registration with AIMA within 90 days of arrival is mandatory.
Who Can Apply
- Indian professionals with a signed job offer from a Portuguese employer
- Work contract must comply with Portuguese labour law (minimum wage / working hours)
- Roles in regulated professions need prior certification recognition
Fees (in INR)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| D1 Residence Visa — Embassy fee | €90 |
| AIMA Residence Permit fee (on arrival) | €84 |
| VFS service charge | ₹2,052 |
| Courier (outside Delhi) | ₹432 |
Government fees set in EUR by Portuguese Consulate / AIMA. INR equivalent varies. Fees change annually — verify on vistos.mne.gov.pt and aima.gov.pt before applying.
Documents Required
Employment Documents
- !Signed employment contract (or binding offer) with Portuguese employer
- !Employer's commitment to register the contract with IEFP (Portuguese employment authority)
- !Educational certificates + qualification proofs
- ○Regulated profession: certification recognition (DGES / Ordem profissional)
Required for medical, engineering, architecture, law, teaching, etc.
Core Documents
- !National (D-Visa) application form (signed)
- !Valid passport (validity covering the visa + permit duration)
- !2 passport-size photos
- !Criminal record certificate (PCC) from India + every country lived 1+ year in past 5 years
Apostilled
- !Proof of accommodation in Portugal
- !Travel medical insurance (sufficient for first 4 months)
- !Bank statement showing subsistence funds
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
The journey.
6 steps from intake to approval. Curved spine on the right shows the natural pace — never as linear as government sites pretend.
- 01
Secure Portuguese job offer
Real signed contract — not a letter of intent. Employer registers with IEFP.
- 02
Get qualifications recognised
Regulated profession: DGES / Ordem certification BEFORE applying.
- 03
Get PCC + apostille
India + every country lived 1+ year in past 5 years. Apostille by India MEA.
- 04
Fill D-visa application + submit at VFS
visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/prt — select National Visa.
- 05
Consulate + AIMA processing
60–90 days. If approved, 4-month D-visa stamp.
- 06
Enter Portugal + collect residence permit at AIMA
Book AIMA appointment, register, get Tax Number (NIF), open bank account.
What works
4 levers that flip a borderline case.
- D1 is the main route for skilled employees. Apply 3-4 months before intended start date.
- AIMA appointment slots are scarce — book immediately after entering Portugal.
- Get a Portuguese Tax Number (NIF) early — required for rental contracts, bank accounts, phone plans.
- Citizenship is possible after 5 years residency + A2-level Portuguese.
Download Official Forms
Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.
How to download from VFS:
- Click the form name below — opens VFS Switzerland page
- Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
- Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
- Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device
Schengen Visa Application Form (Embassy of Portugal)
Portuguese MFA visa portal. Download the Schengen / National Visa application form, complete in English/Portuguese, sign.
VFS Global Portugal (India)
Book biometrics appointment, view checklists, track application status.
AIMA — Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo
Successor to SEF (since Oct 2023). Handles substantive decisions on Portugal long-term residence permits.
VFS Application Centres
Quiz not yet available for this visa type
We're actively building per-visa quizzes. For now, the best way to assess your eligibility for Portugal D1 Subordinate Work Residence Visa (Long-Stay — Informational) is a free 1-on-1 consultation with our team.
Free · No obligation · Reply in minutesFrequently Asked Questions
Why doesn't SureshotVisa process D1?+
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Minimum salary?+
This page is for information only
SureshotVisa does not process this visa category. For other Portugal visa types we can help with — Tourist, Visitor, Business, Student, or Family Reunification — see the related visa types below.
Other Portugal Visa Types
Portugal Tourist Visa (Schengen Type C — Short Stay)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian citizens visiting Portugal for tourism — Lisbon, Porto, Algarve, Madeira, Azores — up to 90 days.
Portugal Business / Conference Visa (Schengen Type C)
Short-stay Schengen visa for Indian business professionals attending meetings, conferences, training, or trade events in Portugal.
Portugal Visa for Visiting Family & Friends (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian citizens visiting family or friends resident in Portugal — up to 90 days.
Portugal Film Crew Visa (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian film crew members on shooting assignments in Portugal — up to 90 days.
Portugal Visa for EU/EEA/CH/UK Family Members (Schengen Type C — Fee-Exempt)
Fee-exempt Schengen short-stay visa for Indian close family members of EU/EEA/Swiss/UK citizens travelling to or in Portugal.
Portugal D2 Entrepreneur / Independent Professional Residence Visa (Informational)
Informational guide to the Portugal D2 Residence Visa for Indian entrepreneurs, startup founders, and independent professionals.
Portugal D3 Highly Qualified / Teaching / Cultural Activity Residence Visa (Informational)
Informational guide to the Portugal D3 Residence Visa for highly qualified professionals, teachers, researchers, and cultural professionals.
Portugal D4 Research / Study Long-Stay Visa (Informational)
Informational guide to the Portugal D4 Residence Visa for Indian students, exchange students, and unpaid trainees.
Source & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global Portugal website and Embassy of Portugal. Last verified 2026-05-12. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.