HQA Visa Portugal

The HQA Visa or the “tech visa” in Portugal is intended for high-net-worth-individuals (HNWIs) who are prepared to carry out a “highly qualified activity” in Portugal. This includes professions like doctors, engineers and programmers, for example. Although professionals who advance research and development projects in Portugal through research institutions are given preferential access into the program.

WHAT ARE THE HQA VISA BENEFITS?

  • Free entry and circulation within the Schengen Area 
  • The possibility of family reunification with close relatives
  • A spouse and children under 18 can be included in the application
  • Quick: given its priority, HQA Visas are processed within 30 days. Once you have it, you have 4 months to obtain a Portuguese Residence Permit
  • The option to apply for Portugal’s NHR tax regime
  • Qualification for permanent residence or citizenship in Portugal after 5 years.
  • All Portuguese citizen rights, including access to health care and the social security system
Who can apply for the Portugal HQA Visa?

As stated before, individuals coming to Portugal for research purposes at reputable institutions like universities are prioritized. But all qualified, intellectual labor professionals can apply, as long as they have a certificate from an institution of higher education as well as a contract or guarantee with a Portuguese company.

These are the overall conditions to apply for a HQA Visa:
  • Be 18 or older
  • Non-EU citizenship 
  • Hold a university degree
  • Be covered by health insurance
  • Have a work contract or agreement with a Portuguese company with a minimum term of one year
  • Be paid 3 times the Portuguese IAS (which is 480.43€ in 2023), so more than 1441.29€
  • Stay in Portugal for at least 6 months a year
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WHAT DOCUMENTS do I need for the Highly Qualified Activity Visa?

  • Adequately filled-in application form
  • Two passport photographs
  • Passport valid for at least 3 months following the duration of the intended stay
  • University diploma
  • Valid travel insurance 
  • A certificate of no criminal record from your country of origin 
  • Form authorizing Portuguese Immigration and Border Service (SEF) to consult your criminal record
  • Proof of accommodation in Portugal (like a rental contract)
  • An employment contract or agreement 

HOW DO I APPLY FOR THE HQA VISA

  1. Get all of the above documentation together
  2. Fill out the application form for the HQA at the E-Visa Portal
  3. Go to the Portuguese Consulate of your home country and submit the filled application form and the necessary documents
  4. Wait for approval (usually 30 days)
  5. After approval, within four months you must apply for a residence permit at the SEF. The first permit has a validity of two years and is renewable. After 5 years, you can apply for Portuguese citizenship!
Portugal HQA Visa costs
  • Between 75€ and 90€ for the residence permit processing
  • 197€ for the residence card itself plus
  • Processing costs at Portuguese Consulate of home country (varies from country to country)
  • Health insurance
  • Legal services 

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