Portugal Post-Study Work Visa Requirements 2026

International students who complete higher education in Portugal may be able to remain in the country and transition from student residence to employment, self-employment, or a temporary graduate job-search period.

However, the Portugal post-study work visa requirements depend heavily on the level of qualification completed. Portugal does not have one universal graduate visa applying equally to every student.

Under the current immigration framework:

• Master’s, doctoral and qualifying research graduates may receive up to one year to search for employment or create a business compatible with their qualifications.
• Bachelor’s or first-cycle graduates generally need an employment, services, or self-employment basis to change from student residence to professional residence.

Who Is Eligible for the Portugal Post-Study Work Route?

Portugal’s post-study routes are mainly available to third-country nationals who previously held a Portuguese residence authorization for study or research.

Two categories are particularly important.

Master’s, PhD and Research Graduates

Article 122(1)(p) applies to people who:

• Held a residence permit for second- or third-cycle higher education under Article 91.
• Or held qualifying research residence authorization.
• Successfully completed their studies or research in Portugal.
• Want to remain for up to one year to find work or establish a business compatible with their qualifications.

AIMA confirms that second- and third-cycle studies include master’s-level and doctoral-level studies and certain advanced programs.

Bachelor’s Graduates

Students who completed the first cycle of higher education, generally corresponding to a bachelor’s degree, follow Article 122(1)(o).

They must generally intend to undertake:

• Salaried employment.
• Independent professional activity.
• Services under an appropriate contract.
• Self-employment.

This means bachelor’s graduates should not assume they automatically qualify for the same one-year job-search period available to master’s and PhD graduates.

Requirement 1: Successfully Complete Your Studies

Applicants must provide official evidence that they successfully completed the relevant course.

For master’s and doctoral graduates, AIMA requires a declaration from the educational institution confirming completion of the relevant study program.

Research graduates may instead need confirmation from the organization responsible for the research project.

Bachelor’s graduates must similarly provide confirmation from their educational institution that the first-cycle higher education program was completed.

Requirement 2: Hold a Valid Passport

A valid passport is required for both Article 122 graduate routes.

Applicants should make sure that:

• The passport has not expired.
• Personal information matches Portuguese residence records.
• A clear digital copy is available if submitting through AIMA’s online contact procedure.

AIMA’s 2026 procedure specifically requests a scanned passport copy when using its Article 122 application channel.

Requirement 3: Prove Your Portuguese Residence Status

The graduate route is based on having previously held qualifying legal residence in Portugal.

AIMA’s current 2026 Article 122 procedure requests a digital copy of the applicant’s Portuguese residence authorization together with the passport and graduation evidence.

Keep copies of:

• Residence card.
• Previous student residence documents.
• Passport.
• University enrollment and graduation records.

Requirement 4: Provide Proof of Accommodation

Applicants must provide evidence of where they live in Portugal.

AIMA currently requests a declaration, made under honor, stating the residential address and explaining the legal basis on which the applicant occupies the accommodation.

Depending on your situation, supporting evidence may include:

• Property registration if you own the property.
• Evidence of usufruct rights.
• Rental arrangements.
• Declaration from the landlord or accommodation provider.

Graduates should therefore maintain clear documentation of their Portuguese address.

Requirement 5: Show Sufficient Means of Subsistence

Portugal requires foreign residents to demonstrate adequate financial resources.

The official framework defines sufficient means based on resources that are stable and regular enough to cover essential living expenses, with calculations linked to Portugal’s guaranteed minimum monthly remuneration.

For Article 122 graduate applications, AIMA currently lists supporting evidence such as:

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

Because the master’s/PhD route is explicitly intended to allow up to one year of job searching, graduates who do not yet have employment should verify directly with AIMA which form of financial evidence it will accept in their individual case.

Requirement 6: Criminal Record Certificate

AIMA currently requires a criminal record certificate from:

• The applicant’s country of nationality, or
• The country where the applicant lived for more than one year before residing in Portugal.

The document must be properly authenticated according to the applicable rules.

Depending on the country, this may involve:

• Apostille.
• Consular legalization.
• Certified translation.

Prepare this document early because authentication procedures can take time.

Requirement 7: Declaration of Intention to Search for Work

Master’s, PhD and qualifying research graduates who want to use the maximum one-year Search Year must provide a declaration stating that they intend to use the period to search for employment in Portugal compatible with their qualifications.

This is a particularly important document because it distinguishes the Article 122(1)(p) graduate-search route from ordinary employment-based residence.

Requirement 8: NISS and Employment Documents Under the 2026 AIMA Procedure

AIMA introduced a specific contact-form procedure for certain Article 122(1)(o) and (p) applications.

Its 2026 instructions request digital copies of items including:

• Passport.
• Residence permit.
• Proof of completion of studies.
• Employment or services documentation and/or proof of independent activity where applicable.
• Declaration of intention to use the one-year job-search period for qualifying graduates.
• Proof of registration with Portuguese Social Security (NISS).

Applicants should use AIMA’s latest instructions when applying because appointment and document-submission procedures can change.

Does the Job Have to Match Your Qualification?

For master’s, doctoral and research graduates using the one-year route, Portuguese law states that the employment or business being sought should be compatible with the graduate’s qualifications.

Examples might include:

• An engineering graduate seeking engineering work.
• An IT graduate seeking software or data roles.
• A biotechnology graduate seeking research or laboratory work.
• A business graduate establishing a related professional service.

The route is designed for professional transition following advanced study, rather than simply providing an unrestricted additional year of residence.

Portugal Post-Study Work Requirements Checklist

Before applying, prepare:

• ✓ Valid passport.
• ✓ Current or previous qualifying Portuguese residence permit.
• ✓ Official proof of graduation or completed research.
• ✓ Proof of Portuguese accommodation.
• ✓ Evidence of sufficient means of subsistence.
• ✓ Properly authenticated criminal record certificate.
• ✓ Declaration of intention to search for work, if using the one-year graduate route.
• ✓ NISS documentation where requested.
• ✓ Employment, services or self-employment evidence where applicable.
• ✓ Required AIMA application forms.

Bachelor’s graduates should additionally make sure they have a qualifying professional basis because their route differs from the master’s/PhD Search Year.

Final Thoughts

The Portugal post-study work visa requirements in 2026 depend primarily on your qualification level.

For master’s, PhD and qualifying research graduates, Article 122(1)(p) can provide a maximum one-year period to search for employment or establish a business compatible with their qualifications.

Bachelor’s graduates generally use Article 122(1)(o) and need a professional basis such as employment, a services contract, or independent activity.

The practical pathway is therefore:

Complete Portuguese Studies → Identify the Correct Article 122 Route → Prepare AIMA Documents → Search for Work or Establish Professional Activity → Transition to Professional Residence

Official Sources

• AIMA – Requirements for Master’s, PhD and Research Graduates under Article 122(1)(p)
• AIMA – Requirements for First-Cycle/Bachelor’s Graduates under Article 122(1)(o)
• AIMA – 2026 Article 122 Application Procedure
• Diário da República – Official Subsistence Requirements