In Portugal, a visa and a residence permit are distinct documents, both essential for foreigners who wish to enter and remain in the country for extended periods.
Difference between a Visa and a Residence Permit
A visa is a document issued by the Portuguese consulate in the applicant's country of origin, allowing entry and temporary stay in Portugal for a specific period. There are several types of visas, such as tourist, study, work, and residence visas. The latter is granted to those who intend to establish residence in the country and serves as a requirement for obtaining a residence permit.
Long-term visas , regulated by national legislation, can be for temporary stays or for obtaining a residence permit , depending on the length of stay. These visas allow the holder to remain in Portugal for study, internships, work, medical treatment, among other reasons. There is also a new type of visa that allows foreigners to travel to Portugal to seek employment.
A temporary stay visa allows entry into Portugal for stays of less than one year. It is valid for the duration of the stay and allows for multiple entries into the country.
The visa for obtaining a residence permit is valid for two entries and for four months, during which time the holder must apply for a residence permit with the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) .
The job seeker visa allows its holder to enter and remain in Portugal with the aim of seeking employment, authorizing the exercise of dependent work activity until the visa expires or until the granting of a residence permit.
A residence permit , on the other hand, is issued in Portugal and grants the foreigner the right to live in the country for a longer period. The first residence permit is generally valid for two years and can be renewed for successive three-year periods. After five years of legal residence, it is possible to apply for permanent residency or even Portuguese nationality , provided that the requirements stipulated by law are met.
What is AIMA?
The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) is the entity responsible for managing immigration processes in Portugal. Created to replace the former Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) , AIMA aims to modernize and improve the management of immigrant regularization processes, as well as the granting of residence permits.
Furthermore, the agency seeks to facilitate the integration of foreigners into Portuguese society and streamline administrative procedures related to immigration.
Therefore, anyone wishing to live in Portugal must understand the need to obtain the appropriate visa before arriving in the country and subsequently apply for a residence permit with AIMA to guarantee their legal stay in Portuguese territory.
