P03F - Residência et visa pour les citoyens de pays hors UE

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RESIDÊNCIA NON-EU CITIZENS

Residency (Residência) permits are different for non-EU citizens and visas apply only to them. This Bulletin will give information on the general procedure for obtaining a visa and/or a Residency permit in a Question and Answer format. 

We remind you that the following information is simply general information and meant as a help to understand the Portuguese rules and regulations. As there are so many different situations, you should always inform yourself with the Portuguese authorities (embassy, consulate, or AIMA- Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo – the Portuguese foreign authorities) or an agent dealing with visas and Residency, to obtain information about your specific situation. 

What are the requirements for entry into Portugal? 
To enter Portugal non-EU citizens must: 

• Hold a travel document valid for at least 3 months longer than the intended duration of stay.

• Possess a valid and appropriate visa for the purpose of the stay. This visa must always be requested at a Portuguese Embassy/Consulate based in the country where you live.

• Have sufficient means of subsistence for the period of stay.

• Not having any legal impediment to entering Portugal (not be registered in the AIMA Integrated Information System or in the Schengen Information System).

What is a short stay visa? 
This visa can be issued with a period of validity which can be up to 1 year, but the authorised period of stay in Portugal which it confers is 90 days in every 180 days.

Our factsheet FS/31 “Schengen 90/180 rule” has further information on the calculation of those days, especially if you come to Portugal in split visits, not always 90 days consecutive.

For short-term stays, citizens of certain countries are exempt from applying for a visa, among those countries are for example: Australia, Canada, USA, Japan, UK and Singapore.

It does not mean that these citizens are exempt from complying with the 90/180 rule but only that they are exempt from applying for a visa with the Portuguese authorities in the country where they live.

You can find the list of countries that DO need to have a short stay visa here: 
https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen/visa-policy/applying-schengen-visa_en

What types of visas are issued abroad? 
The Portuguese embassies and consular offices can issue various types of visas. Each has a distinct purpose, a definite period of validity and only grants temporary stay in the country for the purpose for which the visa was granted. The link below will take you to the Portuguese foreign ministry website where you are able to see the different types of visas available for entering Portugal:
https://vistos.mne.gov.pt/en/national-visas/general-information/type-of-visa#youth-mobility-international-agreements

The expiry date of my visa has passed. What should I do to remain in Portugal? 
If you wish to remain in Portugal for a longer period than you were initially granted on entry, you should request for an extension to your stay with AIMA, and this will only be granted if the same reasons which led to the decision to allow you to enter the country are still present (except for clearly justified cases). This request can be done on the AIMA contact form: https://contactenos.aima.gov.pt/contact-form?sfnsn=wa

What is a Fixed Residency visa?
If your plan is to come to live in Portugal as a retired person or living from passive income, generally you need to apply for a Fixed Residency visa (also called D7). This visa allows the holder to enter Portugal with a view to applying for a Residency permit. 

Which criteria are considered when considering a request for a Fixed Residency visa? 
In considering a request for a Residence visa, the following criteria will be considered: 

• The reason why the stay is being requested, for example retirement 

• Means of subsistence to live in the country 

• Accommodation conditions

• Health Insurance

If I have a visa (work, retirement, study etc.) am I considered a Resident? 
You are not considered a Resident. Someone having a visa is not yet a Resident but only authorised to apply for a Residency permit. 

I am the holder of a Residency visa. Can I be refused permission to reside in Portugal? 
Yes, the fact of being in possession of a Residency visa does not oblige the Portuguese Foreign Authorities AIMA to grant you authorisation to reside here. Additional criteria must be met. 

What is a Residency permit? 
A Residency permit is a document that allows foreign citizens to remain in Portugal for a certain period, or for an indefinite period of time. There are several types of Residency permits, most common are temporary and permanent. 

Which conditions do I have to meet to apply for the Residency permit? 
To be granted a Residency permit, the applicant must meet the following conditions: 

• Be in possession of a valid Residency visa, which has been issued to allow entry into Portuguese territory.

• Be present in Portuguese territory

• Present the documents that AIMA requires to issue the Residency permit

What is a temporary Residency permit? 
A temporary Residency permit has the following characteristics: 

• It is valid for a period of two years from the date of issue of the permit

• It is renewable for successive periods of two and three years 

• The Residence permit must be renewed whenever any personal identification details in the document change

Where do I ask for a Residency Permit? 
A request for a Residency Permit is handed in at an office of the Portuguese Foreign Authorities AIMA, through the completion and signing of an application form. Part of the process when applying for a visa is that an appointment is booked with an AIMA office in Portugal, to turn the visa into the Residency permit (card).

At this appointment you should generally show following documents: 

• Passport or any other valid travel document

• Valid visa

• Evidence of sufficient means of subsistence

• Evidence that the applicant has adequate accommodation

• Permission for AIMA to check Portuguese criminal record (except for under 16 years old)

• Proof of employment or studying

• A document attesting to the existence of a family relationship, where applicable

• Supporting evidence of registration within Tax Authority (NIF)

• Document proving that the applicant is registered with the Social Security, where applicable

• Health insurance or supporting evidence he/she is covered by the National Health Service

What is a permanent Residency permit? 
A permanent Residency permit has the following characteristics: 

• Your right to stay in Portugal has no expiry date 

• The Residency permit (the card) must be renewed every five years or whenever necessary – that is, whenever any personal identification details change

Who can apply for a permanent Residency permit? 
The foreigners who can obtain a permanent Residency permit are those who cumulatively: 

• Have legally resided and had a temporary Residency permit in Portugal for at least 5 years 

• During the last 5 years of residence in Portuguese territory they have not been condemned and sentenced, either singularly or cumulatively, to more than one year in prison. 

How can I renew my Residency (temporary or permanent) permit? 
A request to renew a Residency permit can be done at an AIMA office or online.  AIMA will evaluate the application and grant the renewal. If you need to renew in person, you must have an appointment in order to deal with the application.

What criteria are used when considering renewal? 
When applying for renewal, AIMA will consider the following criteria: 

• Means of subsistence demonstrated by the interested party

• Accommodation conditions

• Compliance with Portuguese legislation by the interested party, for example those laws concerning foreigners

Can I renew my Residency permit online?
Most Residence permits can be renewed on the AIMA Renewals Portal.
https://portal-renovacoes.aima.gov.pt/ords/r/aima/aima-pr/pr-home 

Once you have made a personal login, the first step is that AIMA will check any debts to the Fiscal and Social Security authorities. When that is complete, the next step is to pay the renewal fee. The last step is to attach the documentation that the portal requests, which will depend on the type of visa that your Residency permit was issued with. After attaching the documents needed according to your situation, the renewal will go to analyses and AIMA will contact you if documents are missing, if the renewal request was rejected (with reason why) or if the renewal was approved. In some cases, you may be called for an appointment with AIMA, in other cases, the new Residency card is simply sent to you by registered post.

Generally, you will need to attach similar documents to what you presented when you applied for your first Residency permit, 
such as:

• Passport 

• Residency permit

• Evidence of sufficient means of subsistence

• Evidence that the applicant has adequate accommodation

• Permission for AIMA to check Portuguese criminal record (except for under 16 years old)

• Proof of employment or studying

• Health insurance or supporting evidence he/she is covered by the National Health Service

As mentioned earlier, the first step on the AIMA Renewals Portal is that AIMA checks for debts to the Fiscal and Social Security authorities. For this check the applicants need to have their NIF (Fiscal Number) and NISS (Social Security number) already registered with AIMA. If you have the NISS missing on your file, you will need to get that number registered with AIMA, which can be done through the AIMA contact form : https://contactenos.aima.gov.pt/contact-form?sfnsn=wa

In Tipo de Assunto choose “Portal De Renovações” and in Subtipo de Assunto choose “Retificar ou inserir Número de Identificação de Segurança Social (NISS)”.

If you do not have a NISS, please contact the afpop office for further information on how to apply for that.

How can I book an appointment for renewal of a Residency, if that is required?
At present the appointments can be booked by contacting AIMA, by telephone (+351) 217 115 000.

As a Resident in Portugal, how long can I be absent from Portugal?

• The holder of a temporary Residency Permit who intends to be absent from Portugal, during the validity period, for a timeframe exceeding 6 consecutive months or 8 non-sequential months has a duty to inform AIMA before leaving national territory

• The holder of a permanent Residency Permit who intends to be absent from Portugal, for a period exceeding 24 consecutive months or, in a timeframe of 3 years, be absent 30 non-sequential months, has a duty to inform AIMA before leaving national territory

• The holder of any other Long Term Residency Title may not be absent from European Union territory for a period equal to or exceeding 12 consecutive months, or from national territory for a period equal to or exceeding 6 consecutive years, failing which the loss of such title may ensue.

I have lost my Residency permit document. What should I do? 
A second copy of the Residency permit document can be requested if it is in a bad state of conservation, it has been lost, destroyed or stolen. The request for a second copy should be accompanied by a declaration explaining the reasons for the request and, in the case of theft or loss, with a copy of the police report of the theft/loss. 

The request can be done on the AIMA contact form https://contactenos.aima.gov.pt/contact-form?sfnsn=wa In Tipo de Assunto choose “Autorização de Residência” and in Subtipo de Assunto choose “Segunda via”.

The AIMA contact form can also be used for other requests concerning your Residency permit such as change of address, change of passport number, change of nationality, change of name, change of civil status, add/change NISS or NIF, extend a visa and further options.

Which basic precautions should I take once I start residing in Portugal? 

• Always carry your Residency permit with you 

• Always carry with you the telephone numbers of relatives or a friend who can be contacted in the event of an emergency

• Do not let any documents that have a fixed period of validity, such as a passport, visa, Identity Card, driving licence, your Residency permit document, or any other document, expire

• If you are a foreign Resident, always inform AIMA of any changes in your nationality, marital status, address or any absences from the country (see rules mentioned earlier)

Which identification documents do I need to have? 
The Residency permit substitutes, to all intents and purposes, the identity card of a foreign citizen and becomes your official Portuguese ID. The Residency permit is the only identification document that can prove legal Residency status in Portugal.