Page contents Page contents Conditions To come to Portugal as a researcher, you will need to obtain:a temporary stay visa if you will carry out research activities for less than one year; ora residence visa and a residence permit if you will carry out research activities for one year or more.You also need a work contract, a contract for providing services, or a scientific research grant from an accredited research institution. Procedures Where and how to applyYou must apply for a temporary stay visa or a residence visa for researcher activity at the embassy or consulate in your country of origin or residence.A residence visa does not automatically grant you a right of residence but allows you to enter Portugal for the purpose of applying for a residence permit, if the requirements are met.Documents requiredA work contract, a contract for providing services, or a scientific research grant from an accredited research institution;proof of sufficient means of subsistence and travel insurance;two recent, identical photographs, in colour with blank background, and easily identifiable (only for appointments at Odivelas, Aveiro or Braga SEF bureau);a passport or any other valid travel document;a valid residence permit issued under article 62 of REPSAE, except for applications submitted under no. 9 of article 91-B;evidence that the applicant has adequate accommodation;permission for SEF to check Portuguese criminal record (except for under 16 years old);in situations provided in no. 9 of article 91-B of REPSAE, the applicant shall submit the criminal record of the country of his/her nationality or criminal record of the country of his/her residence for more than one year (according to no. 4 of article 53 of Regulatory Decree no. 84/2007).Duration of validity of permitsThe residence visa allows you to stay in Portugal for four months so that you can submit an application for a residence permit at the SEF.As a general rule, a temporary residence permit is valid for one year, renewable for successive periods of two years.For 2020 and 2021, by a provisional measure, a temporary residence permit is valid for two years, renewable for successive periods of three years.Refusal of permitThe residence permit will be refused if you have been the subject of an order to leave and you are applying while the prohibition period is still running or if you are listed in the Schengen Information System or in the SEF's Integrated Information System. It may also be refused for reasons related to public order, public safety or public health.The residence visa is cancelled if the application for a residence permit is refused.AppealsIf your application for a residence permit is refused, you may challenge the decision before the administrative court. You will be notified of the refusal decision as well as the reasons for the decision, the right to appeal and the deadline for making an appeal.Further informationMore on temporary stay visas for researchers Rights Family reunificationIf you hold a residence permit for research, you are entitled to family reunification with:your spouse;your minor or dependent children and those of the spouse;your adopted minor children.Long-term residenceThe stay is taken into account, by half, in calculating the period of residence to be eligible for long-term/permanent residence. Mobility Short-term mobilityIf you have a permit/visa for research in an EU country and want to do research in Portugal for less than 180 days in a 360-day period (short-term mobility), you and your family members are exempted from the compliance of any formalities.Valid passports are required and should not be included in the Schengen Information System for the purposes of entry and permanence refuse. You may conduct research and teach in Portugal.If the duration of your stay in Portugal is longer than 180 days, you are subject to the rules governing long-term mobility.Long-term mobilityThird-country nationals with a ‘researcher’ or ‘researcher mobility’ residence permit granted by a European Union Member State who wish to remain in the Portuguese territory to conduct research at a recognised host entity in the Portuguese territory, including teaching activities, for more than 180 days, must submit a request for a residence authorisation for long-term mobility to the SEF.The application for a residence title should be entered via an electronic platform (to be implemented for holders of residence visas) and submitted personally on a standard form signed by the applicant or his/her legal representative. The application may be submitted at any SEF’s directorate or regional delegation.Necessary documentsTwo recent, identical photographs, in colour with blank background, and easily identifiable;a passport;a professional certification, whenever needed;the registration in the Tax Authority, whenever applicable;criminal record of the applicant’s country of origin, or of the country of his/her last residence for more than one year;evidence of sufficient means of subsistence, as per the provisions of Order number 1563/2007, of 11/12;evidence that the applicant has adequate accommodation;permission for SEF to check Portuguese criminal record (except people under 16 years old).Specific documentsthe residence permit of the Member State of residence;a contract of services, orthe scientific research scholarship, orthe hosting agreement and registration within social security, in situations of a contract of employment or of provision of services and, optionally, of registration within a voluntary social insurance;allowed number of teaching hours/days, according to the host agreement.
