Chapter IV · Visas · Section I · Visas granted abroad · Subsection III · Residence visa

Article 61 Residence visa for teaching, highly qualified or cultural activity

Artigo 61.º · Visto de residência para atividade docente, altamente qualificada ou cultural

Lei n.º 23/2007, de 4 de julho (Lei de Estrangeiros) · consolidated text, as amended by Law No. 62/2026, checked 26 October 2026

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1. Without prejudice to the application of the ‘EU Blue Card’ regime provided for in Article 121-A et seq., a residence visa shall be granted to a third-country national for the exercise of a teaching activity in an educational or vocational training institution, or of a highly qualified or cultural activity, provided that they meet the conditions of Article 52 and have:

1 - Sem prejuízo da aplicação do regime relativo ao 'cartão azul UE', previsto no artigo 121.º-A e seguintes, é concedido ao nacional de Estado terceiro visto de residência para exercício de atividade docente em instituição de ensino ou de formação profissional ou de atividade altamente qualificada ou cultural, desde que preencha as condições do artigo 52.º e disponha de:

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a) An employment contract, a promise of an employment contract or a contract for the provision of services; or

a) Contrato de trabalho ou promessa de contrato de trabalho ou contrato de prestação de serviços; ou

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b) A letter of invitation issued by an educational or vocational training institution; or

b) Carta convite emitida por instituição de ensino ou de formação profissional; ou

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c) A statement of responsibility from a company certified under the terms defined by order (portaria) of the members of the Government responsible for migration and the economy;

c) Termo de responsabilidade de empresa certificada nos termos definidos por portaria dos membros do Governo responsáveis pelas áreas das migrações e da economia;

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d) A letter of invitation issued by a company or entity carrying out, in national territory, a cultural activity recognised by the member of the Government responsible for culture as being of interest to the country or defined as such by law; or

d) Carta convite emitida por empresa ou entidade que realize, em território nacional, uma atividade cultural reconhecida pelo membro do Governo responsável pela área da cultura como de interesse para o país ou como tal definida na lei; ou

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e) A letter of invitation issued by a research centre.

e) Carta convite emitida por centro de investigação.

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2. (Repealed.)

2 - (Revogado.)

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3. The time limit for deciding on an application for the visa referred to in this Article is 30 days.

3 - O prazo para a decisão do pedido de visto a que se refere o presente artigo é de 30 dias.

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4. The regime provided for in Article 59 does not apply to third-country nationals covered by this Article.

4 - Aos nacionais de Estados terceiros abrangidos pelo presente artigo não é aplicável o regime previsto no artigo 59.º

What we checked in this article

Check the alternative documents in paragraph 1(a)–(e), the 30-day decision time limit and the cross-references to Articles 52, 59 and 121-A.

Moving to Portugal, or bringing a team or family? Article 61 may decide what you can apply for.

We map the visa and residence route that fits your activity, prepare the company side (contracts, payroll, registrations) and coordinate with immigration lawyers for the application itself. A written answer and a fixed quote within one working day.

Unofficial English translation prepared by BCA Portugal for reference. Only the Portuguese text published in the Diário da República has legal force. Editorial notes are ours and are not part of the statute.

Applying the law

Visas and residence in Portugal, planned together with the company

The permit depends on what you will do here: employment, your own company, remote work for a foreign employer or investment. Tell us the plan, and we will set out which route the Act gives you and what the company needs to have in place.

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