HQA Visa: Features and Benefits

Portugal HQA visa is a relatively common and popular document for entry into the territory. It can be obtained by programmers, doctors, engineers, representatives of science, and other qualified specialists. The process of processing the document has several features which should be studied to take advantage of all the benefits.

A highly Qualified Activity visa in Portugal is granted to persons whose field of activity requires a high level of professional skills. In this way, the state increases development and scientific activity. If the result is positive, the applicant has four months to enter and apply for a two-year residence permit. Then it can be renewed. The family circle can also apply for a similar document based on blood ties to unite. It is also possible to apply for a Portugal Residence Permit by investment.

Requirements and Peculiarities of Obtaining a Permit

Some requirements must be met to get an entry document as a qualified person:

• age – from 18 years old;
• certificate of no criminal record;
• proof of a bachelor’s or master’s degree;
• a cooperative agreement that specifies the number of wages;
• a health care contract.

The cooperation agreement and salary must also meet certain conditions. For example, it can be a one-year contract or an agreement for a more extended period, and the pay is one and a half times the minimum wage. Thus, it is possible to count on a visa if the salary is 1330 euros or more.

As for relatives, Immigrant Invest specialist Zlata Erlach explains that children under 18 and a wife (or husband) can be included in the applicant’s application. But there are nuances with children over the age of majority. They must:

• receive a Portuguese education;
• be financially dependent;
• not be married.

By knowing the requirements and taking them into account when applying and preparing the necessary paperwork, the applicant will reduce the time it takes to get a permit.

Stages of Registration and Obtaining

The first place to start, of course, is with a job. Before you start collecting documents, you have to secure a job. After that, you can move on to the list of required documents. For an HQA visa in Portugal, you need to provide the following:

1. Permission form.
2. Photo 3×4 cm in duplicate, in color.
3. A copy and the original ID card.
4. Diploma, confirming the presence of higher education.
5. Document confirming the absence of criminal record with a mark that certifies the international validity of the paper.
6. Permission from the applicant to verify criminal activity in the host country.
7. An employment contract or contract with the employer stating the salary.
8. Document confirming residence in Portugal.

After the papers have been collected and processed, it usually takes three months to obtain the permit. From then on, the applicant has four months to enter and receive the right to permanent residence. However, if you are a Schengen holder, you can skip the first three steps and come to Portugal to apply for permanent residence.

Costs of Issuing a Permit

It is impossible to calculate the amount of money required for registration, but you can roughly orient yourself on the website of Immigrant Invest. You need to buy or rent a house to live in the region. You have to pay from 75 to 90 euros to consider the application. And for registration of the permit – 197 euros.

Add a health insurance fee of 400 euros and legal fees at registration. However, getting an HQA visa in Portugal is not always possible, and the benefits to its recipient are not commensurate with the registration cost.

Advantages of The Portuguese HQA Visa

The territory on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean attracts thousands of migrants annually. The mild pleasant climate, calm and measured pace of life, and low crime rate – all these pluses are named by foreigners who want to move to Portugal. An HQA visa allows for becoming a full citizen subsequently. If its holder fulfills all the necessary conditions of stay and complies with the law, then he can declare a desire to obtain a Portuguese passport in five years.

The tax law is very loyal to new residents. For ten years, there is a stabilized interest exemption. The deduction, in this case, is 20%, while the standard income tax can go up to 48%. Permission to live and work in a beautiful warm country is popular and in demand. And for some time now, this trend has remained unchanged.

Disadvantages of The Portuguese HQA Visa

The downsides to the Portugal HQA Visa include the necessity of being highly qualified, having to have found a job in Portugal before getting the Visa, and requiring one to live in Portugal on a permanent basis in order to maintain their residency. Other pathways to residency may be more achievable due to not requiring proof of qualifications or work experience.

Portugal HQA Visa Renewal

You need to apply to renew your Portugal HQA Visa at least 30 days prior to the intentional expiration date. To do this, access the SEF website and select “Automatic Renewal” in the “Applications” section. Follow the directions as they appear and pay the predetermined fee within 48 hours of submitting the application. Your updated residence card will be sent to your listed address in Portugal.

How to Obtain a Residence Permit in Portugal?

It is possible to apply for a Portugal residence visa in the country you legally reside in or have citizenship in. Upon arriving in Portugal, you can visit the Foreigners and Borders Service, or SEF, to retrieve your residence permit. If you already have a Schengen visa, you may be able to bypass this step. Different types of residence permits exist to accommodate several purposes – for instance, the D7 Visa allows those with passive income or remote employment to live in Portugal, and many investors may be eligible to obtain a Golden Visa.