What is the Researchers’ Portugal Study Visa?

• Top Universities offering research in diverse fields
• Apply for the Portugal D4 visa for research studies
• Work in Portugal after 6 months of having a Portugal D4 visa
• Travel without any restrictions in Portugal and Schengen area 
• Pathway for Permanent Residency in Portugal 

The Portugal D4 visa lets you pursue your research studies in the country. Portugal is known for its excellent education and robust infrastructure for research studies in diverse fields. The student visa in Portugal is also known as the D4 visa. It allows international students to live and study in Portugal legally. The D4 visa facilitates long-term educational studies in Portugal.

Applying for research studies in Portugal is popular due to its quality education, rich infrastructure for research, and inexpensive cost of living. A number of research programs are taught in English, inviting international researchers. 

Researchers must apply for the Portugal D4 visa, which is a residency permit that facilitates a longer stay in Portugal. This makes the visa ideal for research activities in Portugal. 

The Portugal D4 visa is initially valid for 120 days or four months. After arriving in Portugal, you must apply for a Portuguese residency permit to authorize your stay in Portugal for studies. The residency permit can be renewed during studies for one year. You can renew as long as you are enrolled in an academic institute in Portugal. 
 

Benefits of the Portugal D4 Visa

You can avail of the benefits given below with the Portugal D4 visa.

• Longer Duration of Stay in Portugal—The D4 Visa allows researchers to stay in Portugal for over one year, offering them sufficient time to carry out their research projects. 
• Access to Portuguese universities - Researchers can access reputed Portuguese research universities and centers to work with local academics. 
• Inexpensive living - Portugal has a lower living expense, making it a popular option for researchers. 
• Pathway to permanent residency – You can apply for permanent residency in Portugal after five years of staying in Portugal with the D4 Visa. Eventually, they can apply for Portuguese citizenship after fulfilling the eligibility requirements.
• Family reunification – You can sponsor eligible dependents while pursuing your research studies in Portugal.  
• Work rights- The D4 Visa facilitates you to work while you pursue your research program. You can teach or be employed in other related fields.  
• Freedom to travel - Travel without any restrictions with visa-free access to the Schengen Area
   

Eligibility for Portugal Study Visa for Researchers

To be eligible for the study visa in Portugal, you must be:

• Above 18 years of age
• Having a valid passport
• Accepted into a university in Portugal
• Having adequate funds to sponsor yourself in Portugal
• Having a good health certificate
• Fulfill the language skills requirement 
   

Portugal Study Visa Requirements for Researchers

The documents required to apply for the study visa in Portugal are listed below. You must have: 

• A valid passport 
• Letter of Acceptance from a designated university in Portugal
• Proof of paying your tuition fees
• Two passport-sized photographs  
• Duly filled out the Portugal student visa application form
• Proof of adequate funds to sponsor your stay in Portugal
• Evidence of meeting the language proficiency requirements for the study program 
• Proof of accommodation in Portugal
• No criminal records
• A comprehensive health insurance valid for your entire stay in Portugal
   

How to Apply for the Portugal Student Visa for Researchers? 

The step-by-step procedure to apply for a student visa in Portugal is given below.

Step 1: Evaluate your eligibility for the Portugal study visa.

Step 2: Organize the documents required to apply for the study visa.

Step 3: Submit the filled-out application form.

Step 4: Wait for the decision on your study visa.

Step 5: Fly to Portugal

Portugal Study Visa Processing Time 

The processing time for the Portugal study visa application ranges from 30 to 90 days, depending on the volume of applications and the availability of the workforce. 
 

Fee for Portugal D4 Visa

The processing fee for the D4 visa for study in Portugal is €90.
 

Top Research Universities in Portugal 

The list of the top research universities for Portugal is given in the table below.

University	Description
University of Porto	The University of Porto is ranked joint 301st in the QS World University Rankings. It is a public university situated in Porto. The University was established in 1911, and 3,280 international students and 31,000 students are studying at this University.  With an active research and development community, the University of Porto has developed a credible research output.  The University's most reputed research centers are the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, the Research Institute of Computer Systems, and the Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology.
University of Lisbon	The University of Lisbon is among the global top 100 QS World University Rankings. It is the largest University in Portugal. The University of Lisbon has an enrolment of more than 47,000 students in eighteen faculties.  It was formed by merging the Technical University of Lisbon and the University of Lisbon in 2013. The primary University in Lisbon was established in 1911. The University is known for its study programs in art and design, geography, and mining engineering.
Universidade NOVA de Lisboa	The Universidade NOVA de Lisboa has been ranked 361st globally. Established in 1973, it has a student population of more than 19,500. NOVA has specialized faculties that strongly emphasize FAME (finance, accounting, management, and economics) and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects.  The University also offers study programs such as Lisbon MBA in collaboration with Universidade Catolica Portuguesa.
University of Coimbra	The University of Coimbra is ranked 401-410 by the QS World University Rankings. Founded in 1290, it is considered the oldest University in Portugal.  The University is situated in Coimbra. More than 24,800 students, with a significant number of international students, are enrolled in the University.  The University of Coimbra offers study programs in eight disciplines, including STEM subjects, the arts, and the humanities.

 

Post Study Benefits of the D4 Visa in Portugal

The D4 visa in Portugal offers you several benefits. You can:

• Eligible to apply for a work permit in Portugal
• Apply for permanent residency after staying in Portugal for 5 years 
• Access to the job market in Portugal
• Integration into the Society of Portugal
• Explore more options for study and research