Portugal Post-Study Work Visa Documents Checklist 2026

Graduating from a Portuguese university does not automatically convert your student residence permit into a work permit. International graduates who want to remain in Portugal must apply under the appropriate post-study residence route and provide the documents required by AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum).

This Portugal post-study work visa documents checklist covers the main documents required in 2026 for both bachelor’s graduates and master’s, PhD and qualifying research graduates.

The distinction matters because Portugal uses two different routes under Article 122 of its immigration law. Master’s, doctoral and qualifying research graduates may use a maximum one-year period to search for work or create a business, while first-cycle or bachelor’s graduates generally need a professional activity basis.

Portugal Post-Study Work Visa Documents Checklist

For most graduate applications, you should prepare:

• Valid passport.
• Current Portuguese residence permit.
• Official proof of completing your studies.
• Proof of accommodation in Portugal.
• Proof of sufficient means of subsistence.
• Properly authenticated criminal record certificate.
• Employment or self-employment documents where applicable.
• NISS/Social Security registration where required.
• Job-search declaration for eligible master’s, PhD or research graduates.
• Completed AIMA forms.

Additional documents depend on whether you apply under Article 122(1)(o) or Article 122(1)(p).

1. Valid Passport

AIMA requires a valid passport for both graduate routes.

Prepare:

• Original passport.
• Clear copy of the identification page.
• Digital scanned copy for online procedures.
• Copies of relevant Portuguese visas where useful.

Check the expiration date before starting the application.

2. Portuguese Residence Permit

Graduates using Article 122 normally need to demonstrate that they previously held the qualifying Portuguese student or research residence authorization.

AIMA’s current application procedure requests a digital copy of the residence permit together with the passport and educational documents.

Keep copies of both sides of your residence card.

3. Proof of Graduation

You must provide an official declaration from your Portuguese educational institution confirming successful completion of your studies.

Bachelor’s Graduates

Applicants under Article 122(1)(o) need proof that they completed the first cycle of higher education.

Master’s and PhD Graduates

Applicants under Article 122(1)(p) need a declaration confirming completion of second- or third-cycle studies.

AIMA identifies these as including:

• Master’s degrees.
• Certain specialization programs.
• Doctoral degrees.
• Advanced doctoral-level programs.

Researchers can instead provide confirmation from the institution responsible for the completed research project.

4. Proof of Accommodation in Portugal

AIMA requires a declaration under honor confirming your Portuguese residential address and explaining the legal basis under which you occupy the property.

Depending on your situation, you may also need:

• Property registration certificate if you own the accommodation.
• Proof of usufruct rights.
• Landlord declaration if you rent.
• Declaration from the accommodation provider.
• Evidence supporting a sublease or other legal right to occupy the property.

Make sure the address matches your current residence information where applicable.

5. Proof of Means of Subsistence

Applicants must demonstrate sufficient resources to support themselves.

AIMA lists evidence such as:

• Employment contract.
• Promise of employment.
• Services contract.
• Declaration showing commencement of independent activity with the Portuguese Tax Authority.

The exact evidence needed depends on your graduate route and whether you are already employed, self-employed or using the one-year job-search option.

6. Criminal Record Certificate

AIMA requires a criminal record certificate from:

• Your country of nationality, or
• The country where you lived for more than one year before moving to Portugal.

The certificate must be properly authenticated.

Depending on the issuing country, this may involve:

• Apostille.
• Consular legalization.
• Certified translation into Portuguese.

Because criminal record documents can take time to obtain, prepare this requirement early.

7. One-Year Job Search Declaration

This document is particularly important for eligible master’s, PhD and research graduates.

If you are applying under Article 122(1)(p) to use Portugal’s maximum one-year graduate job-search period, AIMA requires a declaration stating that you intend to use that period to look for employment in Portugal compatible with your qualifications.

This route can also be used to prepare the creation of a company compatible with your qualifications.

Bachelor’s graduates should not assume this same one-year Search Year automatically applies to them.

8. Employment Documents for Bachelor’s Graduates

The route for first-cycle graduates is more directly connected to professional activity.

Applicants may need evidence such as:

• Employment contract.
• Promise of employment.
• Services agreement.
• Evidence of self-employment.
• Declaration of commencement of independent activity with the Tax Authority.

This is one of the biggest differences between the bachelor’s route and the master’s/PhD graduate-search route.

9. NISS – Portuguese Social Security Number

AIMA’s current Article 122 contact-form procedure includes proof of registration with Portuguese Social Security, commonly known as the NISS (Número de Identificação da Segurança Social).

Applicants using the current procedure should therefore have:

• NISS number.
• Proof of Social Security registration.
• Any employment-related Social Security evidence requested by AIMA.

10. AIMA Application Forms

The official Article 122 pages currently list:

• Modelo 1 – mandatory application form
• Modelo 4 – Termo de Responsabilidade, where applicable.

Use the latest versions provided by AIMA rather than downloading forms from unofficial immigration websites.

Current 2026 Online Application Procedure

AIMA introduced a specific contact-form process covering Article 122(1)(o) and Article 122(1)(p) applicants.

The authority currently asks applicants to upload digital copies including:

• Passport.
• Residence permit.
• Proof of completed studies or research.
• Employment/services documentation or proof of independent activity where applicable.
• One-year job-search declaration where applicable.
• NISS proof.

AIMA warns that submissions made through this channel that do not fall within the covered categories may be disregarded.

Because Portuguese immigration appointment procedures can change, always check AIMA immediately before submitting your application.

Quick Checklist for Master’s, PhD and Research Graduates

Prepare:

• ✓ Valid passport.
• ✓ Portuguese residence permit.
• ✓ Master’s/PhD graduation or research-completion certificate.
• ✓ Proof of Portuguese accommodation.
• ✓ Proof of sufficient financial resources.
• ✓ Authenticated criminal record certificate.
• ✓ One-year job-search declaration if using the Search Year.
• ✓ Employment or business documentation where applicable.
• ✓ NISS proof.
• ✓ Modelo 1.
• ✓ Modelo 4 if applicable.

Quick Checklist for Bachelor’s Graduates

Prepare:

• ✓ Valid passport.
• ✓ Portuguese student residence permit.
• ✓ Bachelor’s completion certificate.
• ✓ Proof of accommodation.
• ✓ Proof of sufficient means.
• ✓ Authenticated criminal record certificate.
• ✓ Employment contract or promise of employment, services contract or self-employment proof.
• ✓ NISS documentation where requested.
• ✓ Modelo 1.
• ✓ Modelo 4 if applicable.

Final Thoughts

Preparing the correct Portugal post-study work visa documents depends first on identifying the right immigration category.

Master’s, doctoral and qualifying research graduates can use Article 122(1)(p) and may receive up to one year to look for work or create a business compatible with their qualifications. Bachelor’s graduates generally use Article 122(1)(o) and need a professional employment, services or self-employment basis.

Official Sources

• AIMA – Article 122(1)(p): Master’s, PhD and Research Graduates
• AIMA – Article 122(1)(o): First-Cycle/Bachelor’s Graduates
• AIMA – 2026 Article 122 Application Procedure