Quick answer: Portugal's job seeker visa is closed (since 23 October 2025), but the D1 work visa is open — if you have a job contract of at least 12 months with a Portuguese company. Bangladeshis apply only at VFS New Delhi, with an Indian double-entry visa. For insurance, the embassy asks for at least €30,000 medical cover for your whole stay, an original policy with a QR code, bought in Bangladesh.
"Is the Portugal visa closed?" "Can I apply from Dhaka?" "Which insurance does the embassy want?" These are the questions Bangladeshis ask most about Portugal. This guide answers them in plain words, using the Embassy of Portugal in New Delhi's own D1 checklist.
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Is the Portugal visa closed?
No — but one door has closed.
| Visa | Status |
|---|---|
| Job seeker visa (go first, find a job later) | ❌ Closed since 23 October 2025 (Law 61/2025). A new visa for highly qualified job seekers is in the law, but the New Delhi embassy does not list it. |
| D1 work visa (you already have a job) | ✅ Open — you need a signed job contract or job offer of at least 12 months |
So if someone promises you a Portugal "job seeker" visa today, be careful. The safe route is a real job contract and a D1 visa.
What is the D1 visa?
- A residence visa for work, for people with a job offer or contract from a Portuguese company.
- The contract must be for at least 12 months.
- The visa is valid for 4 months (120 days) with two entries.
- Within those 4 months you apply for a residence permit in Portugal (with AIMA, the immigration agency).
Where do Bangladeshis apply?
Portugal has no visa centre in Dhaka for national visas. Bangladesh is covered by the Embassy of Portugal in New Delhi, and you submit only at VFS Global, New Delhi.
That means you need an Indian visa first:
- Type: Double Entry (X) visa, from the High Commission of India in Dhaka
- Valid for up to 3 months; each stay in India must be under 15 days; it cannot be extended
- VFS will not accept your file without this Indian visa
How you get a VFS appointment
This surprises most people: you cannot book a D1 appointment yourself.
- Your employer in Portugal emails the embassy's visa department in New Delhi with the documents it asks for.
- The embassy checks and accepts the request.
- VFS emails you the appointment date. The embassy decides the date, in the order requests arrive.
⚠️ Beware of "early slot" offers. The embassy warns applicants not to pay third parties for early appointments. Slots come only through your employer's request.
D1 visa document checklist
The New Delhi checklist asks for these, in this order (tap the picture to enlarge it):
- National visa application form — filled in and signed, all pages.
- Passport — issued within the last 10 years, valid 3 months after your return, 2 blank pages. Bangladeshi applicants also give a colour copy of the photo page.
- 2 photos — white background, not older than 6 months.
- Proof of money for 12 months — the salary in your contract counts; your employer can also sign a "term of responsibility".
- Travel insurance (original) — see the next section.
- Police clearance certificate — not older than 3 months, legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the embassy before you submit.
- Proof of accommodation in Portugal — or the employer's term of responsibility.
- Job contract signed by you and the employer, for at least 12 months.
- Professional certificate — only if your job is a regulated profession in Portugal.
All papers must be in Portuguese or English (or translated). Always download the latest D1 checklist from VFS before you submit.
Insurance for the Portugal D1 visa — the 6 rules
This is where many files go wrong. The embassy's checklist asks for:
- ✓ At least €30,000 (or USD/CHF 50,000) medical cover.
- ✓ Repatriation for medical reasons — the cost of sending you home if you fall seriously ill.
- ✓ Urgent medical care and emergency hospital treatment.
- ✓ Your whole stay in Portugal — not just the first weeks.
- ✓ The original policy, with a QR code so it can be verified.
- ✓ Bought in your own country. The checklist says applicants from outside India should buy insurance in their country of residence — so do not buy an Indian policy; buy it in Bangladesh.
How long should your insurance be?
| Length | Is it enough? |
|---|---|
| 3 months (90 days) | ❌ Too short — the D1 visa itself is 4 months |
| 4 months (120 days) | The minimum — it matches the visa |
| 6 months | Extra time while your residence permit is processed |
| 12 months | The safest choice — the checklist asks for your whole stay, and your contract is 12 months |
What it costs
MIIPLC's Employment (For Visa) plan for Schengen countries, including Portugal (€30,000 cover), including 15% VAT, for ages up to 40:
| Policy length | Price |
|---|---|
| 4 months | See price |
| 6 months | 15,201 BDT |
| 12 months | 30,404 BDT |
Prices checked 23 October 2026. Your exact figure depends on your age and dates.
Why a MIIPLC policy fits the D1 checklist
- €30,000 medical cover, including repatriation, valid in Portugal and all Schengen countries.
- A QR code on every certificate, so VFS or the embassy can check it is genuine.
- Employment plans from 90 days to 1 year.
- Bought in Bangladesh, as the checklist asks. Licensed by IDRA, Shariah-based, with an AA credit rating.
- Buy online and pay by bKash, Nagad, card or internet banking — the certificate usually arrives within minutes.
Not sure which length your employer or the embassy wants? Call or WhatsApp our travel expert before you buy.
The whole journey in 7 steps
- Get a real job contract (12 months or more) from a Portuguese company.
- Prepare your papers — police clearance (legalised), passport, photos, accommodation proof.
- Buy your insurance — €30,000, original with QR code, at least 4 months (12 months is safest).
- Your employer requests the appointment from the embassy in New Delhi.
- Get your Indian double-entry visa once you know your VFS date.
- Submit at VFS New Delhi. A decision normally takes about 60 days.
- Arrive in Portugal and apply for your residence permit within the 4 months of your visa.
6 common mistakes — and how to avoid them
| Mistake | What to do instead |
|---|---|
| Paying an agent for a "job seeker" visa | That visa is closed — get a real job contract for a D1 |
| Paying for an "early VFS slot" | Only your employer's request to the embassy gets you a slot |
| Buying a 90-day policy | The visa is 4 months — buy at least 120 days, ideally 12 months |
| Buying an Indian insurance policy in Delhi | Buy in Bangladesh — the checklist says so |
| A policy with no QR code, or only a photocopy | Bring the original certificate with a QR code |
| Police clearance not legalised, or older than 3 months | Get it legalised before you travel to Delhi |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Portugal visa closed for Bangladeshis?
No. The job seeker visa closed on 23 October 2025, but the D1 work visa is open for people with a job contract of at least 12 months from a Portuguese company.
Can I apply for a Portugal work visa from Dhaka?
No. Bangladeshis submit at VFS Global in New Delhi, which handles applications for the Embassy of Portugal in New Delhi. You need an Indian double-entry visa to travel there.
How do I book a Portugal D1 appointment?
You can't book it yourself. Your employer in Portugal asks the embassy in New Delhi for the appointment, and VFS then emails you the date.
How long does a Portugal D1 visa take?
About 60 calendar days from when your file reaches the embassy. It can take longer if the embassy asks for an interview or more documents.
What insurance do I need for a Portugal work visa?
At least €30,000 medical cover, including repatriation and emergency hospital treatment, for your whole stay. It must be the original policy with a QR code, bought in your own country.
Is Bangladeshi insurance accepted for a Portugal visa?
Yes. The New Delhi checklist says applicants from outside India should buy insurance in their country of residence. A Bangladeshi policy that meets the €30,000 rule and has a QR code fits.
Is a 90-day policy enough for the D1 visa?
No. The D1 visa is valid for 4 months (120 days), so buy at least 4 months. Because the checklist asks for your whole stay and your contract is 12 months, a 1-year policy is the safest.
How much does Portugal work visa insurance cost?
With MIIPLC: 15,201 BDT for 6 months and 30,404 BDT for 12 months (including VAT, ages up to 40, prices checked 23 October 2026). The quote form shows the 4-month price.
What happens after I arrive in Portugal?
Your D1 visa lets you stay for 4 months. In that time you apply for a residence permit with AIMA, Portugal's immigration agency.
How quickly do I get the MIIPLC certificate?
Usually within minutes of paying online, with a QR code on it.
Before you go
Keep it simple: get a real 12-month job contract, let your employer request the appointment, buy a €30,000 policy with a QR code in Bangladesh — 12 months is safest — and submit at VFS New Delhi with your Indian visa.
Disclaimer: This guide is general information only. It draws on the Embassy of Portugal in New Delhi's D1 checklist and visa page, the VFS Global Portugal checklists and Portugal's Law 61/2025. Visa rules change — check the latest embassy checklist, and read your policy schedule for exact terms, limits and exclusions before buying.