# Portugal Work Permit for Indians: Employer Steps and Timeline

> For a Portugal D1 work visa, your employer books the appointment, the Embassy decides in a standard 60 days and AIMA issues the residence permit in Portugal.

_Published: 2026-11-02 · Reading time: 6 min · Words: 1293_

## TL;DR

For Portugal's D1 subordinate-work visa, the Portuguese employer requests your appointment from the Embassy in New Delhi, VFS emails you the date and the Consular Section decides in a standard 60 calendar days. The D1 visa is valid 4 months with two entries, during which you apply to AIMA in Portugal for the residence permit. The fee is EUR 110 (INR 11900) plus INR 3,384 for VFS.

## Key takeaways

- In the New Delhi jurisdiction, D1 applicants cannot book VFS slots themselves; the Portuguese employer asks the Embassy for the appointment.
- The D1 needs a job offer or employment contract with a Portuguese company lasting at least 12 months, plus an apostilled police clearance certificate valid 3 months.
- Standard D1 decision time: 60 calendar days from receipt at the Consular Section, which can be up to 2 working days after VFS submission.
- The D1 visa is valid 4 months with two entries; you apply for the residence permit with AIMA in Portugal during that period.
- Work visa fee: EUR 110 / INR 11900, plus a VFS service fee of INR 3,384; an appeal against refusal costs EUR 75.

**For Portugal's D1 work visa, the employer moves first. According to the Embassy of Portugal in New Delhi's D1 checklist, your Portuguese employer requests the visa appointment from the Embassy, VFS emails you the date, and the Consular Section's standard decision time is 60 calendar days. The fee is EUR 110 (INR 11,900) plus INR 3,384 VFS charge.**

## Article

In Portugal's system the visa you get in India is a residence visa, and the actual residence permit is issued later in Portugal by AIMA, the immigration agency. This guide follows both stages for salaried workers, as published on the official sources, checked on 15 October 2026. For every other Portuguese visa, see our Portugal visa guide for Indians.

### What does the Portuguese employer have to do first?
The D1 (subordinate professional activity) is for Indians with a valid job offer or employment contract from a company in Portugal. The employer's part is concrete:

- Offer at least 12 months of work. The job offer or contract must last at least 12 months.
- Request your appointment. In the New Delhi jurisdiction, applicants cannot book D1 slots at VFS. The employer writes to the Embassy's visa department (visas.novadeli@mne.pt), and the Embassy sets the date. VFS then emails you the appointment.
- Provide accommodation or let you prove it. If the employer does not provide housing, you must show proof of accommodation.
The contract also does financial work for you. For means of subsistence, funds from the contract or job promise count. Portugal's benchmark for long-stay visas in 2026 is the minimum monthly salary of EUR 920, with 50% added for each extra adult and 30% for each child.

### What do you prepare in India while you wait?
While the employer arranges the slot, assemble your side of the file:

- the Portuguese national visa application form, typed in capital letters;
- a passport issued within the last 10 years, with at least 3 months' validity after your scheduled return and at least two empty pages;
- photographs 35-40 mm wide, face 70-90% of the image, not more than 6 months old;
- an apostilled Police Clearance Certificate, valid 3 months (the Embassy's other checklists specify one from the Regional Passport Office);
- the AIMA Criminal Record Verification authorising form;
- a copy of the job offer or contract, and accommodation proof if the employer is not housing you.
Documents must be in Portuguese or English, or translated, on A4, unstapled and in checklist order. The form must carry your own phone number, not an agent's.

### How long does each stage take?
StageWho actsPublished timingAppointment request to the EmbassyEmployerDate set by the Embassy (no fixed wait published)Submission and biometrics at VFSYouOn the emailed dateFile reaches the Consular SectionVFSUp to 2 working days after submissionDecision on the D1Embassy of PortugalStandard 60 calendar days from receipt (Embassy holidays excluded); interview possibleTravel to PortugalYouD1 visa valid 4 months, two entriesResidence permitAIMA, in PortugalApply during the D1's 4-month validityOne change affects the last step. Since 3 December 2025, if no AIMA appointment is available when your residence visa is issued, the visa sticker is printed without the appointment link. You then request the residence-permit appointment through AIMA's online contact form after arriving in Portugal.

After 5 years on a temporary residence permit, residents can apply at AIMA for permanent residence, with basic Portuguese at A2 level or higher among the conditions.

### Do seasonal and highly qualified jobs follow the same steps?
Not exactly. Portugal splits work visas by job type, and the employer's role differs.

VisaForWho booksStandard decision timeD1Salaried job, contract of 12+ monthsEmployer, via the Embassy60 calendar daysD3Highly qualified activityApplicant at VFS60 calendar days, treated as a priorityD2Independent work or entrepreneursApplicant at VFS60 calendar daysE3Independent temporary work, under a yearApplicant at VFS30 calendar daysE8Seasonal work over 90 and under 270 daysEmployer, via the Embassy30 calendar daysShort-stay seasonal (Schengen)Seasonal work up to 90 daysApplicant at VFS15 calendar days, extendable to 45The E8 covers sectors such as agriculture, forestry and fishing, accommodation and catering, food and beverage industries, trade, construction and land transport. The employer must also provide medical protection or insurance plus work-accident insurance. Groups of more than 10 are accepted only at VFS New Delhi. Short-stay seasonal applicants should apply no later than 15 working days before travel and pay the Schengen fee of INR 9736 / EUR 90.

### What does it cost, and what if the visa is refused?
- Visa fee: EUR 110 / INR 11900 for D1, D2, D3, E3 and E8, as published per category by VFS India. The INR figure follows the current exchange rate. The MNE visa portal also gives EUR 110 for national visas.
- VFS service fee: INR 3384 per application, including GST, non-refundable.
- Optional extras: courier INR 750, SMS INR 350, Premium Lounge INR 3500.
- Appeal: EUR 75 per appeal for national visas, lodged via VFS; the Embassy FAQ adds taxes.
Neither the visa fee nor the VFS fee is refunded if the visa is refused. The New Delhi Embassy page still shows EUR 90 for work visas, but the MNE portal, VFS and the Goa Consulate all give EUR 110, so budget for EUR 110.

### Which office handles your file?
The Embassy of Portugal in New Delhi covers all of India except Goa, Maharashtra and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. Those areas fall under the Consulate General of Portugal in Goa, with VFS centres in Mumbai, Pune and Goa. You must have been legally resident in the relevant jurisdiction for at least 6 months.

The employer-request rule above comes from the New Delhi D1 checklist. Whether Goa-jurisdiction D1 appointments work the same way is not stated on the pages checked, so ask the Consulate in Goa (vistos.goa@mne.pt) before your employer books anything.

### Mistakes that slow a Portuguese work visa
- Booking a VFS slot yourself for a D1 or E8 in the New Delhi jurisdiction; the employer must request it.
- A contract under 12 months for the D1.
- An expired PCC. It is valid for 3 months, so time the apostille with the appointment.
- Waiting for a job-seeker visa. The MNE portal says the Skilled Job Seeker Visa (DP) is not yet available at Portuguese consulates, even though VFS still lists it.
Check the official D1 checklist from the Embassy of Portugal before you submit.

If your file needs a flight reservation or proof of accommodation, Yatra For Fun's office in Gurugram prepares flight reservations, hotel bookings, itineraries and cover letters for visa applicants, from INR 1,000 to INR 3,000 depending on the package. WhatsApp +91 95230 91018 or reach us via the contact page.

### Frequently asked questions

#### Can I apply for a Portugal work visa without a job offer?
Not for the D1, which needs a job offer or contract of at least 12 months. The Skilled Job Seeker Visa (DP) is listed by VFS, but the MNE visa portal says it is not yet available at Portuguese consulates pending regulation of Article 57-A of the Foreigners' Law.

#### Can my family join me on a Portugal D1 work visa?
Family members of a foreign national holding a Portuguese residence permit can apply for the D6 family reunification visa after AIMA approves the reunification in Portugal. The D6 application must be lodged within 90 days of AIMA's notification.

#### Is there a Portugal work visa interview in India?
Residence (D) visa decisions are given within 60 days after an interview, if one is required, and the D4 checklist notes a possible face-to-face interview. The Embassy or Consulate may call any applicant for an interview.

#### How much money do I need for a Portugal work visa?
For a D1, funds from the employment contract or job promise count as means of subsistence. The 2026 benchmark for long-stay visas is the minimum monthly salary of EUR 920, plus 50% for each extra adult and 30% for each child.

## FAQ

### Can I apply for a Portugal work visa without a job offer?

Not for the D1, which needs a job offer or contract of at least 12 months. The Skilled Job Seeker Visa (DP) is listed by VFS, but the MNE visa portal says it is not yet available at Portuguese consulates pending regulation of Article 57-A of the Foreigners' Law.

### Can my family join me on a Portugal D1 work visa?

Family members of a foreign national holding a Portuguese residence permit can apply for the D6 family reunification visa after AIMA approves the reunification in Portugal. The D6 application must be lodged within 90 days of AIMA's notification.

### Is there a Portugal work visa interview in India?

Residence (D) visa decisions are given within 60 days after an interview, if one is required, and the D4 checklist notes a possible face-to-face interview. The Embassy or Consulate may call any applicant for an interview.

### How much money do I need for a Portugal work visa?

For a D1, funds from the employment contract or job promise count as means of subsistence. The 2026 benchmark for long-stay visas is the minimum monthly salary of EUR 920, plus 50% for each extra adult and 30% for each child.

## Sources

1. [Embassy of Portugal New Delhi - D1 checklist (via VFS)](https://www.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/portugal/india/english/pdf/checklist-for-d1-new.pdf) — Embassy of Portugal, New Delhi
2. [Portuguese MNE visa portal – National visa fees](https://vistos.mne.gov.pt/en/national-visas/general-information/fees) — Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Portugal
3. [Embassy of Portugal New Delhi - E8 seasonal work checklist (via VFS)](https://www.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/portugal/india/english/pdf/checklist_for_e8_new.pdf) — Embassy of Portugal, New Delhi
4. [Portuguese MNE visa portal – Residence visa issued without AIMA appointment (3 December 2025)](https://vistos.mne.gov.pt/pt/destaques/vistos-de-resid%C3%AAncia-emitido-sem-agendamento-na-aima) — Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Portugal