The creation of a visa to look for work in Portugal was approved in the Assembly of the Republic, on Thursday, July 21st. When the measure takes effect, professionals will be able to remain legally for 120 days in the country while looking for a job. There is also the possibility of renewing the visa for another 60 days.
The authorization will be valid only for Portuguese territory and will be subject to certain requirements, including the presentation of return tickets to the country of origin.
Aimed at the mobility of Brazilians and other citizens of the member countries of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP), Law No. 19/XV still needs the sanction of the President of the Republic of Portugal. Only after this process will there be a definition of the date on which the new measures must come into force.
The lawyer and CEO of Martins Castro, Renato Martins, considers that this new proposal for a work visa arises in the context of several public policies of the Portuguese State aimed at reducing the demographic winter and attracting labor to the country. “Today, Portugal has the lowest birth rate in Europe. Data from the European Union Statistics Office (Eurostat) show that 24% of the inhabitants are over 65 years old and pensioners are almost four million,” he says.
Isabel Grilo Comte, Portuguese jurist and author of the book Lei da Nacionalidade – Anotada e Commentada, states that the lack of labor is a reality in the country even in very specific sectors. “Portugal is experiencing a strong crisis in the health system. There are not enough doctors or nurses to meet the demand. The State did not open universities to train more professionals. Thus, foreigners will be able to supply the needs”, he points out.
She also says that foreigners play an important role in the collection of taxes for Social Security, which pays for retirement, pensions and aid to the most needy. Last year alone, foreigners collected 880 million euros (R$ 5.1 billion) for the system in 2019 alone, according to a report by the Migration Observatory. Another positive point is that the new type of visa should also guarantee greater control to the authorities over migration and foresees a decrease in illegality and human trafficking.
Visa for job search
What changes
The new type of visa will allow people who are still looking for job opportunities in Portugal to now do so while being present in Portuguese national territory (art. 57-A)
Portugal is establishing a differentiated and more beneficial treatment for nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries, as the measure is aimed at Brazilians and other citizens of countries that make up the Portuguese-speaking community (CPLP).
benefits
Simpler procedure: visa applications will not need to be examined by the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) in Portugal. Now, the consulates themselves have the autonomy to approve it.
The rule becomes approval: the consulates can only reject the visa if the applicant does not gather the basic general documents (subsistence, accommodation, passport, travel insurance) and if there is any restriction prohibiting entry in the SIS (Sistema de Schengen Information).
Gain of time: in theory, these benefits will make visas process faster for these nationals.
who can apply
Anyone from the aforementioned countries who is looking for a job; not have entry restrictions in Portugal and gather the basic documents (proof of travel insurance, valid passport, means of subsistence and accommodation).
What documents to request
Travel insurance
valid passport
Proof of livelihood
Proof of accommodation
Proof of return (ticket back to the country of origin)
validity time
120 days, extendable for another 60 days and allows entry into Portugal. If there is a work contract, then a residence permit for two years is issued.
If the applicant cannot find work, within a maximum period of 180 days, he will have to return to his country of origin. In this case, the applicant will only be able to apply for a new visa after a period of one year of validity of the previously granted visa.